Did you know that volunteering can help boost your career, win your next promotion and build your network?
It’s the little (or big thing) that can help tip the balance in your favour when an employer is faced with two great candidates. Targeted volunteering not only builds your career skills but opens up your network exposing you to great employment opportunities.
Why Volunteer?
According to the 2016 Deloitte Impact Survey, there is a disconnect between the importance of volunteering to hiring managers and how much candidates are leveraging volunteering to get jobs.
Only 30% of resumes currently list volunteering
As someone who looks at resumes all day. That figure is about right.
Yet, recruiters are overwhelmingly in favour of volunteering as a professional development tool.
Among the findings of the survey:
- 92% believe volunteering expands an employee’s professional skill set
- 85% are willing to overlook resume pitfalls when an employee includes volunteering on a resume.
- 82% are more likely to choose a candidate with volunteering experience
- 80% believe volunteering is an effective way to boost leadership skills
- 73% believe people who volunteer are more successful
For young people, a European study has found their involvement in volunteer initiatives stimulates the development of creative thinking and the ability to quickly adjust to new situations.
Apart from the technical skills you build. To a potential employer, volunteering demonstrates lots of personal attributes and transferable skills such as; self-management, initiative and enterprise, commitment, motivation and more.
I’ve volunteered many times across my career including mentoring with the ABCN, driving clients to programs with Visibility WA, raised money for Heart Foundation and Starlight Foundation and more.
There is also professional volunteering as part of an industry association.
For 5 years I was the Divisional Council President of the Australian Institute of Training & Development in Western Australia. This is a volunteer position and it’s most basic role is to facilitate local events for members.
Why do I do it? Simple, it puts me in direct contact with my peers consistently, allows me to build professional relationships and expand my network.
In addition, I get to help my peers. I’m always connecting people together, posting links to positions I find out about and more.
It takes a few hours of my time each month, but the professional benefits are the real bonus.
How Can You Volunteer?
There are so many opportunities and ways you can volunteer. It’s easy to find the perfect role for you and your circumstances. You can start by visiting Go Volunteer to get a feel for what opportunities are out there.
Also look up industry associations you could connect with.
If you’re not sure how to add volunteering to your resume, there are a few ways depending on what you are trying to highlight.
It could be as simple as having a volunteer section and writing in basic details:
2010 Native Animal Rescue – Animal Care Attendant and Rehabilitator
Or, you might want to really highlight the skills you used/developed and include more details:
Team Member – Cat Haven (2009 – 2012)
- Assisted with a variety of events including “wet nose” day and the Perth Royal Show
- Educated the public on Cat Haven services and promoted current cats/kittens available for adoption
- Sold items to raise money for the shelter
Article last updated 19/4/18
