When I was younger, I was told that volunteering would solve all my worries. I was unemployed for periods of time, and I honestly didn’t know what I wanted to do with my life. In my mind, volunteering just felt like a boring waste of time. Fast-forward a few years later, and volunteering eventually landed me with my dream job.
Now, I want to pass along some information to you, dear reader. If you’re in the position I was once in, I hope you can feel enlightened by it. Volunteering might just help you land your dream occupation in the near future.
It Shows Intent
First and foremost, volunteering shows intent. When you’re unemployed or you’ve never had a job before; it can be difficult for an employer to see the positives. But, you fill in the gaps by volunteering in something you feel passionate in. This showcases to the employer that you don’t want to simply lie around all day and be lazy. You have interests, and you’re willing to go out of your way to carry them out, even without financial rewards.
You Never Know Who You Might Meet
Volunteering is an excellent source of networking. In this day and age, getting your dream job can often come down to who you know. Just a few words of recommendation can set your career on a path to success. While many employers like to see experience and qualifications, they’d rather bypass that by hiring from within. If you’ve got the backing of colleagues, that volunteer position might just turn into a full-time one.
It Provides Clarity
I didn’t know what I wanted to do when I was younger. Instead of getting out in the world and volunteering, I sat at home and played video games. That statement will ring true for many people. The thing is, I could have kickstarted my career if I’d have been willing to try new things. Volunteering can provide clarity, whether good or bad. You don’t like this role, but you like working on computers? Maybe a career in IT is in your future?
Jobs With No Specific Requirements
There are a lot of jobs out there that don’t require any specific degrees or qualifications. Instead, they want experience and a willingness to progress. Let’s take an example. There are lots of staffnurse healthcare roles that share this trait. If you want to grab one of those roles, you’ve got to be willing to get ahead of the competition. Volunteering might just make your application stand out. And who knows, you might just progress to a top-level healthcare position in a few years time!
It Gives You A Sense Of Empowerment
Does lying on the sofa playing video games give you a sense of empowerment? Not really. Temporarily, maybe. But ultimately, you get stuck in a rut, and it’s difficult to get out of it. Volunteering makes you feel good about yourself. You’re doing something worthwhile. You’re progressing your career. Volunteer because it makes you feel empowered, and other benefits will soon present themselves.