how to find a job through voulunteer work

Find a Job through Volunteer Work

Finding a job through volunteer work is one of many ways to find a job in a tight market. Full-time jobs, as well as summer and part-time jobs, are harder and harder to find these days. One way of finding employment, and maybe a new career, is to volunteer. This article will discuss the options for volunteer work that may lead to employment.

Difficulty:

Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Access to a computer
• Time
• Imagination
• Willingness to work

1. • 1
     

     How can volunteer work lead to a job? There are many ways. You may be able to turn your volunteer work in to full-time employment with the organization that you are volunteering for. If they see that you are a devoted hard worker, and an opportunity arises, they will think of you first. Let them know your situation and tell them that you ultimately need to find a job so you can support yourself and your family. No hard sell necessary, just do your work. Make yourself indispensable. You may also meet people during your volunteer service who may have jobs available at their companies, or know someone who does. In addition, you are gaining skills, experience, and references that you can add to your resume.
   • 2
     

     An important point to make from the start is, that although you may be searching for a way to find paying work, you need to commit yourself completely to whatever volunteer opportunity you decide on. This should be a win win situation for both you and the organization that you volunteer for. This is not a path to a job for everyone. In order to do volunteer work, you need to be a person who is tolerant, patient and flexible.
   • 3
     

     What special skills or abilities do you have, or want to develop? If you are an unemployed professional or skilled laborer, you can use those skills in your volunteer work. You will start looking for charities, or community service organizations, that have special needs for your skill. If, on the other hand, you have very little experience, or want to enter a new career field, you will start looking for a volunteer opportunity where you can get on the job training related to whatever you are passionate about or interested in.
   • 4
     

     Where can you find these opportunities? They are everywhere. There are probably as many volunteer opportunities as there are minutes in the day. How do you narrow them down to find the right opportunity for you and the organization you are going to volunteer for? First, ask your friends and family if they know of any good opportunities, and think of your church, school or favorite charitable cause. Contact the local United Way or community volunteer clearinghouse to find out what opportunities are available. If you are looking for some life-altering opportunities, and those that might offer tuition assistance or a leg up with future employers, think of AmeriCorps or the Peace Corps. Both organizations have fairly strict qualification requirements and require longer term commitments, but you will end up with the significant advantages of on the job training and future hiring preferences by other agencies. In the case of AmeriCorps, they offer a tuition stipend in exchange for your service, and have opportunities located throughout the United States. The Peace Corps is in 74 countries around the world and, after your successful service, you will have hiring and postgraduate advantages because you served. There are many web sites that list volunteer opportunities all around the world, and in your backyard. One site that lists volunteer work, and jobs with nonprofit organizations, is Idealist.org. There are others. I have listed a few contacts in the resources section at the end of this article. Good luck!