Resume Fuel: Gain job skills through volunteer work
Picture this: It's a spring day, the sun is shining and you're on top of the world because you just graduated. Empowered and excited, you write your résumé to compete for the job of your dreams. "Alright," you think, "time to utilize my real life skills in..." Wait! You don't have any real life experience yet--or do you?
Here's the trick: volunteering may not pay much, but it can be the silver lining on your résumé--the extra experience or skill set that sets you apart in the eyes of future employers.
If you're only armed with bright eyes and passion, you may not be able to compete in today's job market. In college, you might work on research teams and internships, but so will your peers. So, how do you stand out? The answer may be working with a charity group where you can hone your skills--all while helping others in need.
Volunteering can help kick-start your career by teaching you new skills and giving you valuable experience in areas that will apply to your future job. Pick an organization you're truly interested in. Those who show extra enthusiasm may have opportunities to advance. Many volunteer groups, for example, have a committee structure. You could serve as a president, treasurer or public relations representative (among others). Set goals for what you want out of the experience, and for what experience you hope to gain for the future.
To find opportunities, check out nationalservice.gov and transitionsabroad.com. Does your city hold a Relay for Life (held by American Cancer Society)? Check relayforlife.org to find out. Does your community have vacant land or abandoned homes that could benefit from Habitat for Humanity? Visit habitat.org to learn more. Can you help with any disaster relief efforts? Get in touch at nrn.org.
The world could always use another helping hand, and the skills you learn are going to look great on your résumé. Volunteerism provides you with the opportunity to get real life experience and show you're self-motivated and committed to improving the environment and culture around you. Show, rather than tell, future employers that you can contribute to a team and manage your time.
Almost 61 million Americans volunteered in 2007. Their gift of 8.1 billion hours was worth more than $158 billion. Join in and give back. Volunteering might help you land a job, but even if it doesn't, you still made a difference in someone's life.
Sources: volunteeringinamerica.gov; career-advice.monster.com
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