How To Use Volunteering To Energize And Reshape Your Career

Volunteering is a mutually beneficial opportunity; a chance to help the greater good, while providing you with great self-reward.

What you might not know is that volunteering is well worth your time and effort in order to advance in your career, or transition into a new one. Consider the reasons why…and then volunteer this year, or even this summer.

How does it add value?:

• Expand your network
• Gain work experience especially with your newly obtained training
• Giving value to the community being served
• The small possibility the volunteer gig will become a full-time gig
• Replaces the gaps in your resume's work experience
• Brings confidence and hope to discouraged job seekers

Volunteer benefits are personal, professional, yet, strategic.

One overall benefit is that people can build and control their brand to a great degree. You gain skills, test them, and venture out to master them through volunteering. Along the way, opportunities can come along from unexpected places.

Volunteering is so personally gratifying, and knowing you are helping and making a slight difference in a way that can make a difference to your career and help others. It's a double win.

It can be challenging. If you are jumpstarting a new career or testing your skills in a new industry requires strategy and forethought. It works best when you've considered what you want out of it.

If it's a career jump-off, then you must consider the organization, its ability for them to use your skills, and the time you want to invest. Can you deliver an outcome they would consider to be an asset? Would a company you're interested in pay for what you provided performing charity?

Need a second chance? Volunteer.

A few years, back I wrote an article for ?GoodHire , an organization that?removes some barriers through their work in fair chance hiring background check services ex-offenders re-entry compliance at the local level and provide candidates a chance to add context to criminal records directly in their background check results. Here are a few points from the article :

While the Fair Chance to Compete for Jobs Act , provides a mandate for Federal hiring, it is still a challenge for ex-offenders to find work. Here are three reasons why volunteer work could be a viable alternative pathway to find work:

• Volunteering can modify criminal behavior. Groups such as Interfaith Works and others receiving Second Chance Act grants are helpful with facilitating learning and volunteer opportunities. Learning a new and marketable skills increase ex-offenders chances for successful workforce re-entry .
• Structure programs are key. Employers choosing to implement a well-structured volunteer program can cultivate a healthy culture for acceptance and offer ex-offenders a chance to contribute to society. Providing them with hope not only helps improve the quality of their lives, but also positively affects families and communities. Volunteer programs offer a productive environment both for the organization and for the ex-offender who desires a smooth transition back into society.
• Making a difference. With good structure and a solid plan, everyone involved, including the ex-offender, feels their contributions matter. Many organizations have good intentions in providing former offenders who volunteer an employment landing place. However, if it is a volunteer-to-hire position without defined boundaries and guidelines, it could be a setback for all, including ex-offenders.

Here are 9 ways anyone can benefit from volunteer work and advance their careers:

1. Sharpen Newly Obtained Skills

New certifications, diplomas, or degrees can benefit the organization. Putting that education to work, and sharpening your real-world skills, will only cost you time. Volunteering will make a big difference in your continuing education and skill development.

2. Make Mistakes and Learn from Them

While volunteering, you can choose an environment that is slower and will tolerate trial and error depending on the work. Having a mentor who has time to monitor your progress and provide feedback is a tremendous asset.

3. Time to Do Something Bold

Something different you want to try? Want to extend your comfort zones? Volunteering can provide an opportunity to take a calculated risk.

4. Reveal Weaknesses, Then Strengthen

This is an element that many people are afraid to get past. We would like to ride out our strengths to the sunset, but the reality is: we are afraid to grow and change. Volunteering is an opportunity to take on our weaknesses, and make them far less of an issue.

5. Try New Approaches to Solving Old Problems

To some degree, everyone has to become a marketer in his or her career. When you’re starting or changing career paths, you must market yourself in a way that shows how your current skills and attributes apply to your new career. Additionally, you must try new approaches to old problems. Volunteering provides that platform.

6. Build your Relevancy

It has been proven that volunteering can create great work experience, especially if you are piloting a new career path. Additionally, volunteering is a great opportunity to add meaningful references and build mentor relationships.

7. Networking

You will not be the only one who uses volunteering as a networking platform. For many job seekers who volunteer, the networking opportunities alone are more than worth the investment of time.

8. Gain International Experience

International work experience in any field is impressive and often it brings you new problems to solve. Mostly, it provides you with the global perspective many employers look for in candidates. If working internationally is important to you and your career, consider volunteering for a global organization.

9. Documentation of your Journey for a Blog or Video

Taking others on your journey with you, whether a blog or video, or even a training manual, immediately adds to your career credibility (and if you ask your place of service if you can video, many times they will say yes). This effort will demonstrate your passion for the mission, work ethic and willingness to serve… which can bring recruiters and employers to you.

My longtime friend, Dr. Antonio B. Boyd , who spent 20 years in non-profit leadership in spearheading volunteer work worldwide told me these powerful reasons anyone can benefit from volunteer work:

• People find that volunteer work energizes them and their career
• Executives often found after volunteering non-profit leadership is more meaningful
• Boards are great for the transferable skill, small non-profit boards are likely easier to join
• You become a “brand ambassador” when volunteering because you represent the company brand
• Creates humanity, enhances your understanding of people, adds value
• Volunteer work speaks to your character in your high school junior and senior year, adds to your college application
• College volunteer work can substantiate and add balance when seeking internships

Volunteering is a great way to self-learn, build your resume, expand your network and present you as a valuable asset to a potential employer… all while serving others.

Who will you volunteer for this weekend? This summer?