The recent recession’s impact on the job market is well known and documented. According to Statistics Canada, “In October 2009, employment in Canada was down 400,000 from the peak in October 2008… During the same period, the unemployment rate rose from 6.3% to 8.6%.” While some recovery has begun the effects of this prolonged period of higher unemployment will no doubt affect the employment market and workers across Canada for many years to come. From new graduates to mid-career executives, boomers to new comers, there wasn’t a group left untouched in the wake of this downturn.Whether you’re searching for a new job or trying to secure a promotion, volunteerism can help you get where you need to go.
Top Five Ways Volunteer Jobs Can Help Your Career
1. Fill in periods of un(der)employment by actively contributing to your community to showcase your skills, dedication and work ethic.
Laid-off? Returning to work after a prolonged absence? Volunteering can help fill in the gaps in your employment history while keeping your skills sharp.
2. Thinking about a career change or just starting your career? Volunteer to defeat the biggest catch-22 you’ll face: needing experience to get experience.
Employers want someone with knowledge and familiarity in the field. If you’re thinking about changing or starting a new career, you’ll most likely need industry experience to get you started. Volunteerism can help get you that experience. Try joining a board or volunteering your talent for a local organization.
3. Expand your network to access a broader job market
Volunteering really is for everyone: executives, entrepreneurs and others in hiring positions are active in their communities. Whether you’re volunteering on a charitable board or helping to raise a house in your community, volunteering can help you network to find the elusive hidden job market.
4. Highlight your other important skills not covered by your professional work history
You may never have been a professional teacher or a project manager but that doesn’t automatically mean you’re unable to act as a project lead. Volunteerism helps to show the mental muscles you’ve been flexing outside of the office and can help you differentiate yourself from other candidates for promotion or employment.
5. Show how your values align with those of the organization
Corporate Social Responsibility is a increasingly important to organizations big and small via Employee Volunteer Programs. These programs get employees out into the community and actively contributing to the places they live and work. Whether your goal is to get a new job, secure a promotion or demonstrate your commitment to the company during these tough times, volunteering can help you show how your values align with those of the company.
Get your career on track: Go to Volunteer Toronto’s opportunity search engine to find volunteer jobs in and around the Toronto area.
More resources on volunteerism and work:
A recent article in The Province, a Vancouver B.C. newspaper discussed the benefits of volunteering to test career moves.
Volunteering has positive impact on career says US survey
Stuck in a career rut?
