Benefits of volunteering

Benefits of volunteering by Michael Cheary Aside from the obvious feel-good factor from giving your time to a worthy cause, volunteering has a number of key benefits for you career which make it well worth considering  Not only is it a great way to gain practical experience, volunteering can also help you stand out from the crowd and learn practical skills which will make you more desirable for prospective employers.Weve already covered how to find volunteer work and how to volunteer abroad, but here are just a few of the key benefits of volunteering:Work in an industry that interests youCharities and not-for-profit organisations recruit hundreds of thousands of volunteers every year throughout the UK and, as a result, the range of opportunities on offer is endless. From sports coaching to fundraising, eBay trading to mentoring, volunteering is a great way to hone your career skills in an area that interests you.If you’re unsure of what sector will be the best fit for you, Local Volunteer Centres, Charity Advisors and online services (such as  do-it.org.uk) will help match your requirements with the opportunities on offer. And whilst you won’t get paid (apart from expenses), you will have the opportunity to get involved in activities you may later want to pursue as a career.Five surprising jobs in charity that you could be doing right nowWhat its really like to work in the charity sectorGain valuable skills experienceAs well as helping to equip you with the skills that many companies look for in staff, volunteering as part of a structured volunteer programme can expose you to a range of core workplace activities, including: communication, line management, teamwork and using your initiative.From writing newsletters to maintaining computer networks, the best way to get a new job is often through experience and the right volunteering opportunity is a rewarding way to achieve this. In fact, in certain sectors, such as health and social care or charities, volunteering may even be considered a pre-requisite.Voluntary organisations are well aware that many people volunteer to gain experience, and as long as you can show your commitment and dedication to the cause from the outset, don’t be afraid to be honest about your motives and use volunteering as a stepping stone to further your career.What are transferable skills?Five CV skills employers look for in every jobseeker  Improve your CV and become more successful at interviewsEstablishing what experience you want to add to your CV will help you identify the right voluntary opportunity. And, once your CV’s looking more complete, you’ll find it easier to reach the interview stage for the jobs you apply for.Once at the interview, you will have the perfect opportunity to impress recruiters with your experiences and passion for your interests. Employers are well aware of the benefits of volunteering and recognise the initiative and commitment that can be required by volunteers.Whilst qualifications are und oubtedly of importance, voluntary work can help you get the experience you need. And remember, the benefits don’t end there: you’ll meet new people, try new things and almost definitely have some fun at the same time.How to: Prepare for an interview  Common interview questions and answers  What the experts say“In a competitive job market, prospective employers want to see what makes you different from all the other candidates, and volunteering is a great way of standing out from the crowd. By demonstrating that you take part in meaningful activities in your spare time, you will show an employer that you are a well-rounded person with some interesting life experience.”Kate Edwards, Volunteer Services Manager,  The Abbeyfield SocietyThe Abbeyfield Society is a charity that provides housing, support and care for people at different stages of later life. Learn more about the Abbeyfield Society“We view the inclusion of any volunteering commitment on a CV as extremely positive a spect as a character reference. As a leading charity, we naturally find this attractive, but feel it would be equally important for a commercial organisation.”Peter Skeggs, Age UK Runnymede and SpelthorneAge UK help over 5 million people every year improve their living conditions in later life through advice, products training and research. Learn more about Age UK“Volunteering can enable you to learn new skills, meet new people and gain valuable experience that you can take into your future career. It also gives you the opportunity to explore an area of work that is of interest to you or try something completely different! All positive factors that we look for as employers when we are recruiting new staff.”Jo Johnson, Marketing Communications Manager,Deafblind UKDeafblind UK is a national charity providing support services to, and campaigning on behalf of, deafblind adults and their carers.Learn more about Deafblind UKIts an amazing experience. Not only do you get to see and take part in things that you wouldnt otherwise be able to, but you also get to work for a cause that you can truly be passionate about. And, aside from improving your career prospects, it can be a genuinely life-changing experience.Carolyn Barwick, Ethiopiaid volunteer  Ethiopiad is one of the UKs leading fundraising charities, working with local people in Ethiopia for over 23 years to end poverty, protect health and help promote self-sufficiency.Learn more about EhiopiaidInterested in volunteering? 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