Volunteer to leverage your passions

We can all agree that the Covid-19 pandemic turned the world topsy turvy.

We have plenty to be upset about. We do not derive happiness from our jobs. As Booker T. Washington said, “Those who are happiest are those who do the most for others.” This pandemic provides us with a wonderful opportunity to find happiness through service.

Isabella’s passion for her brother’s illness drew her into social work. She is passionate, energetic, and takes action to live her passion through her career.

Then she got laid off, like so many impacted by Covid-19 in 2020.

With plenty of time to reflect, she decided to supplement her job search activities with some volunteering. Isabella decided she had the time, why not scratch an itch she had for years – a service project she wanted to explore for years but never had the time. She took a few hours away from her job search every day to start.

Isabella got organized. She identified the outcomes and purpose, then outlined her plan. She researched available resources.

In her research, Isabella discovered an old organization that touched on her passion. It seemed to be dormant, but Isabella reached out to connect with the woman behind that organization. The first discussion opened like fireworks! Isabella was filled with energy over the common passions, opportunities for support, and ideas spinning out of every corner! More energy than she ever had for her job search!

They decided to work together to create a podcast focused on interviewing family members supporting folks with the illness affecting Isabella’s brother.

Imagine the doors this volunteer outreach opens for Isabella. Imagine the new people she will meet. The conversations. The relationships. Although this volunteer service stands on its own, image the impact these new relationships can have on Isabella’s job search.

Volunteering, in general, and for job seekers in particular, offers many benefits, especially when you expect nothing in return – just the opportunity to do something for someone else:

• Gets you out of the house with worthwhile activities, which improves your mental attitude.
• You feel great to help someone else. For a few minutes you are not thinking about your own problems but focusing on someone or something else who needs your help.
• You meet interesting people you would not have access to otherwise.
• You build relationships in a more casual forum, with people with common interests on a topic not related to your job search.
• You can learn new skills. Isabella never imagined doing a podcast. Now she must learn this new skill!
• You put your problems in perspective while you engage with folks who have it worse.
• You make a positive impact on your community, which feels great and adds value.

It feels great to think about something other than yourself, without any expectation of reward. Everyone has been impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic, but focusing on other people puts your problems in perspective. There is always someone in a worse position. Perhaps you can help those folks?

What volunteer itch do you want to scratch? I recently made boxes at the local food bank for Dr. Martin Luther King Jr’s birthday. I plan to walk dogs for the local shelter this year. What will you do? How will this activity improve your community? Clear your head? Change your life? Open opportunities?

Check out The Interview Doctor’s free Job Search Training to set yourself up for success!

So you want to find a new job but you are not sure where to start?

It all seems so complicated…but it doesn’t have to be.

A good job search takes organization, networking, and most of all, a plan. This workbook will help you take control of your job search and your future, using expertise we at The Interview Doctor have accumulated over many years in human resources and in our own personal job searches.

You will learn many tips about changing your job and finding the right job for you. We think writing your thoughts down is critical to understanding and expressing what you want. People who cannot express what they want take a long time to get a job that they might not even like.

Click here to purchase your copy now for $9.