Many of us wish that
we could be doing something more useful with our time (especially
when stuck in traffic or trapped in a dreary
meeting). Signing up to be a volunteer is a great way to contribute
towards a cause you care about. It also provides a valuable
opportunity to gain skills that will help you to improve your career
prospects.
Make yourself more
employable
If have
been out of work for a while or are considering a change of
direction, volunteering allows you to explore new industries and
discover different types of working methods. You may find that you
have a gift for working with people or thrive in an outdoor
environment.
At the same time,
you will learn new skills and gain valuable hands-on experience,
which can be extremely impressive on your CV. Volunteer work suggests
that you are a motivated, positive person who chooses to use their
time constructively.
Even if you
volunteer in an industry that is unrelated to your chosen career
field, you can learn transferable skills
like teamwork, communication and time management that can be applied
to a wide variety of roles.
Make valuable contacts
If you are fortunate
enough to find a volunteering role in your
preferred industry, you will have an opportunity to expand your
network of business contacts and build relationships that could lead
to job offers in the future. Some volunteer programmes even give you
a chance to train and earn a qualification.
While no volunteer
organisations pay wages, they do often compensate workers for certain
expenses, such as travel, food and equipment.
If you’re on benefits
This will not make any
difference to you if you are on benefits. You
can do as much volunteering as you like and still claim. Of course,
if you're on Jobseeker's Allowance, you'll still be expected to look
for salaried work and attend interviews while you’re volunteering.
If you already have a
job
If you are gainfully
employed, you can also choose to volunteer. Many
non-profit organisations need highly skilled professionals like
lawyers and accountants in their voluntary workforce.
Even if you only help
out a couple of evenings a week, over weekends
or during your holidays, you can still make a big difference and
enhance your CV
at the same time.
However, it’s
important to be realistic about how many hours
you can commit to volunteering each week or month. This will help
your volunteer organisation plan their resources and ensure all their
work is done.
Anyone can volunteer
The best thing about
volunteering is that there are so many different roles to choose
from. Whether you are interested in conserving the environment,
supporting the elderly, caring for sick
animals or uplifting a disadvantaged community, there is a volunteer
job out there for you.
People choose to volunteer
for different reasons. Some want to spend their spare time doing
something useful or working for a cause they feel passionate about.
Others are keen to meet people and have fun.
This option is open
to everyone, no matter how young or old you
are, whether you have decades of work experience or are unskilled,
you have a vital contribution to make.