Unemployed workers are flocking to volunteer in unprecedented numbers. Why? Because volunteering has many professional and personal benefits. It can expand your work skills, keep you busy, increase your network, benefit a needy cause and, above all, help you get a paying job.
Need some tips to help you decide if volunteering is the right move for you and your career?
Start by evaluating volunteer opportunities in your community to see if any meet your needs. Check out www.serve.gov to see what positions are available. Look for jobs where you can make an immediate contribution as well as one that would stretch the limits of your knowledge and provide you with an avenue for expanding your expertise. Need to add to your network? Consider volunteering with nonprofits that need help with public relations or fund raising. Don’t forget to check with local business associations as well; meeting professionals here is pretty much a no-brainer.
After you narrow down your list of possible organizations, review their Web sites for additional information. Look at the team members on the Board of Directors to see if there are any contacts that can help you with your search for full-time employment. Ask questions around your community to ensure the organization has a positive reputation.
The last step is to schedule a meeting. Get to know other volunteers, tour the facility and see if their culture matches your personality. Once you’ve done your homework, it should be easy to take the volunteer plunge.
Need more tips? Check out Should You Ever Work for Free? by Louise Tutelian over at CBS MoneyWatch.
Thanks and good luck!
Filed under: Career Enhancement, General, Job Search, Job Trends, Networking, Professional Development | Tagged: career development, Job Search, Networking, Professional Development | Leave a Comment »
