Volunteering | StratStaff Job Searching Tip

Posted by Krista at 10:52 pm

We all know that volunteering is a great way to give back. What you may not have known is that volunteer work can return the favor when it comes to your job search by:

Adding experience to your resume. Whatever career you imagine for yourself, you can start gaining skills by volunteering in a closely related field. If you already have the skills you need for the job/career you want, then you can work on strengthening your skills. Either way, volunteer experience on your resume is always a plus.

Networking. In any situation where you are working closely with people (e.g. charity events, community outreach) you have the opportunity to network. Use the connections you make during volunteering to leverage your job search. This is a great opportunity to get references, job referrals, or even network your way into a new position!

Helping you decide on a career. If you’re confused about the next step, volunteer with a company or organization that interests you. Instead of hopping from one job to the next trying to figure it all out, you can spend your free time trying to decide.

Keeping active and  involved. If you are unemployed – whether that be because you were laid off or you are a recent college grad looking for your first job – volunteering is a great way to occupy your time. Let’s face it, waiting for the phone to ring with that dream job interview can be an exercise in patience. Get out! Get out of the house, get involved and you might just get something out of it too!

For more information on job searching, visit the Stratstaff blog.