How Networking & unpaid Volunteering gave me my Dream Job!

In this article, I’m going to explain why it is important to interact with all the people that you meet in different occasions, and how an unpaid volunteering position can open magnificent doors into your future career. It’s based on my own personal experience in educational institutes as well as international festivals in Iran.  

My Story

I was the Coordinator at the Film Market of the 37th Fajr International Film Festival in Iran. being connected to the Persian booth holders, international film distributers as well as all the actors and directors who were taking part in the festival from all around the world was a huge intercultural experience which provided me a deep insight into my career development.

But how did I get there and Who introduced me to the authorities? let me get to the beginning.

3 years before getting that position, I had a totally different lifestyle. I was traveling most of the time in remote areas and I was taking part in ecotourism classes to experience conscious trips. My classmates were coming from different educational backgrounds and occupation fields. One day Farzad Hamedani, one of my classmates, who provides services to international events asked me if I’m interested to volunteer as an interpreter for a Film Festival. It sounded interesting, so I accepted. 

At the interview, they asked if I’m willing to stand at the entrance for hours just to smile to the guests and work 24/7 for a week and probably not get enough sleep. My answer was yes; but then they said: “What if you don’t get a penny? Would you still be interested to work with us?” What do you think my answer was? I wasn’t there for the money. I wanted the experience, the atmosphere and the connections. I had a long-term incentive and I knew if I do my job properly, It will open doors to me; So I said yes and the journey began!

At the 35thFajr International Film Festival, I was just a volunteer interpreter who was mostly not interpreting but taking care of the guests. And surprise! We actually got paid at the end. It was their method to filter the passionate candidates, but they were intending to pay everyone for the job. 100 people were chosen among 1000s of interviewees. The authorities didn’t notice me during the festival and I was just a random volunteer in their eyes; But I tried my best to show that I’m hardworking in my own department and I made sure to interact with all my colleagues.

The target was achieved! You’re asking why? Because…

The next year, I was invited to work at the 30th International Film Festival for Children and Youth, as the Assistant Director of the Protocol Team. Why did they choose me? Apparently, they were looking for someone dedicated and hardworking. I’m pretty much sure that some other team members were as hard working as me. But why did they contact me? 

one of my colleagues was first approached for this position, but since she had a full time job, was incapable of accepting the responsibility. She recommended me; they contacted me and as always, my answer was yes! What if I didn’t have a good reputation in effective performance in intense conditions? They probably would have passed my name and kept on searching. What if I hadn’t interacted enough with that colleague of mine? She probably would have forgotten my name and introduced someone else!

In the 37th Fajr Film Festival, when the authorities were looking for someone to be responsible for the coordination of the Film Market, one of my colleagues from the IT department at the Children’s film Festival, introduced me to the Market Manager. 

It all happened like parts of Dominoes! one job leads to another, one colleague introduces you to the next; and the more people you know, the more chances you will have.

By having this position, I met so many actors, producers, managers and investors. After the festival, some of them approached me and offered full time jobs in their own companies, but It was time for me to open a new chapter in my life; to immigrate to another continent for new adventures, experiences and connections. 

Do you really need to interact with everyone?

Interactions are the most important part of your career; the way you handle your costomers, the way you behave in meetings, your manners with your superiors, how you inspire people and what you have to offer to your connections are the keys to successful occupation development.

It’s a win-win situation in which you help others, and others help you. You need to influence people in order to get settled in their mind and to become the person they go to when they have job vacancies which is related to your field of capabilities.

Why Should you do unpaid Volunteer Work?

Even though money might be the long term incentive of many job seekers, you should keep that in mind that creating value and making connections are considered investments. Why should they give you the job? You should somehow prove that you deserve the role. Sometimes you have to go the extra mile, just to show others who you really are and what you’re capable of doing.

Believe in yourself, trust the process, get out there and represent the best version of yourself and all the great opportunities will find their way to your life. I always enjoy reading other people’s experiences and I hope that sharing mine would help anyone who’s at the beginning of their career journey.