Can Volunteer Work Land You a Job?

Volunteering can land you a job within the organization or elsewhere because of the professional skills that you develop. You can discover your passion through volunteer work. You can make connections with the community and other volunteers while supporting those in need. 

By Ciarra Maraj

Volunteering can help you land a job. It also releases dopamine and serotonin, the body’s happiness fuel. 

There is no downside to volunteerism: You become a well-rounded individual, stronger professional candidate, and build community; it can land you a job somewhere else or within the organization; if you become a staff member, you already know your environment; in addition, volunteerism allows a person to receive the support they need. A win-win.

Volunteer work is important because it builds community, says Sapreet K. Saluja, executive director of a nonprofit organization, New York Cares. 

“There are some elements that are really key in being in an environment like that,” Saluja said.  

“And one of them is building strong and thriving communities that have points of connectivity between groups and among individuals and the opportunity to actually give your time or your talent to work to further a collective improvement.”

When it comes to your career, volunteering helps in many ways. 

It fills gaps in your professional journey, says Jessica Williams, a career coach and consultant. 

“It allows you to speak to doing something. Employers just want to know that you were doing something,” Williams said.  

Jessica Sweet, a career coach and therapist, helped a client land a role from volunteering.   

“[He] came from the world of entertainment and he worked at an organization. He volunteered there and he loved that organization,” Sweet said. “It was very dear to his heart and after a period of time, they created a role for him.”

Saluja met someone who wanted to switch careers from the private sector to nonprofit helping women and girls. Their volunteer experience allowed them to transition with ease. 

“While that wasn't the focus of their private sector work up until then, it was the focus of volunteerism that they had done,” Saluja said. “And so it was easy for me to see that they really meant it and they were making strides to immerse themselves in the issue area they cared about and that that was the catalyst for wanting to change. As opposed to someone who just says it out loud.”

The Skills 

Volunteering develops various skills: Communication, working with a team, problem-solving, and many more, said Williams.

“I want people to understand that when you do volunteer work, it's just not something you're doing. You're building professional skills,” Williams said. 

Be open to volunteering at any level because you never know the outcome, Sweet said.

“You can also try to volunteer at a higher level, utilizing your skills and expanding your career as well,” Sweet said. 

Volunteering gives you the space to learn a vital skill, Williams said.  

“When you're in that type of setting you are building a different type of communication because you never know who you're going to encounter,” Williams said.  “You never know if somebody is going to be irate and how you're able to do damage control…damage control is a big skill.” 

The opportunities within an organization are endless. You can (and should) volunteer in areas outside of your career, Saluja said.

“I've met with folks who told me that they always had a passion for something in particular and being able to volunteer through New York Cares gave them the opportunity to hone their skills in that area or see whether or not that was something that they wanted to do more full time,” Saluja said. 

The Resume 

If you decide to volunteer, put the experience on your resume. Have a separate section for it and be ready to speak on it. 

When adding the experience to your resume Saluja has an important tip. 

“It should be included when it's authentic and genuine as an organization that you've done some volunteer work with, and that you are ready if asked to answer specific questions about that engagement,” Saluja said.“So if, once you did some volunteer work with one organization for 30 minutes, that may not be something to put on your resume because if asked you don't have much to share about what that experience was like.”

Including genuine experience on your resume only helps. It enables employers to see a non-work side of you, Sweet said.

“It shows that you're interested in something, that you care about something, it shows you in another light that shows the dimension of you,” Sweet said. “Especially if the work that you're doing is relevant to the work that you want to do.”

Include volunteer experience if you want to work in the nonprofit sector. 

“I always find it very fascinating when people come to an interview and say, ‘I've always wanted to do non-profit work’ and there's no volunteerism on their resume; it sort of makes me wonder,” Saluja said.  

Should you leverage your volunteer experience the way you would professional experience, with measurable impact, etc.? 

“Hell, yes,” Williams said. “You always want to die for the impact...Definitely lead with your impact, discuss how you personally made a change with that organization. Don't just give me what the organization or community, a church or whatever it is. I need to know what you've contributed.”

More Reasons To Volunteer

Another reason to volunteer is to experience something you are interested in. No more stress looking for an internship because you can opt to volunteer instead. You can meet different people, make new connections and have fun. If you are a new professional, volunteering gives you an opportunity to show that you have experience. If you are switching careers, volunteering gives you the foundation for change. 

“You're able to explore [a] passion and it just allows you to continue to grow as a person and as a professional,” Williams said.  

Volunteering rewards are multifaceted. 

“And so whether you're on the receiving end of support, individually or collectively it helps you reach your potential,” Saluja said. “And when you are on the giving end of support and volunteerism, you also not just have the satisfaction in contributing to something bigger than yourself, but you also grow and learn as an individual.”

Top Takeaways 

Can Volunteering Land You a Job?

• Volunteering can land you a full-time role 
• There are only benefits to volunteerism 
• It can teach you great skills 
• You should include it in your résumé if it’s genuine. 
• Needed areas are fulfilled through volunteer support