Can Volunteering Lead To A Job?

vHelp
Written by

While volunteering doesn’t guarantee a job, it can significantly enhance a person’s chances of securing employment by providing valuable experiences, skills, and networking opportunities that make them more competitive in the job market.

 Here’s how volunteering can potentially lead to a job:

 

1. Skill Development: Volunteering allows individuals to learn and practice new skills or improve existing ones. Acquiring these skills can make volunteers more attractive candidates to potential employers.

 

2. Experience and References: Volunteering provides hands-on experience in various roles and industries. Volunteers can leverage this experience on their resumes and often obtain references or recommendations from supervisors or organizations they’ve volunteered with.

 

3. Networking: Volunteering often involves working with a diverse group of people, including professionals and other volunteers. Building relationships and networking within these circles can lead to job opportunities through connections made during volunteer work.

 

4. Showcasing Commitment: Commitment to volunteering demonstrates dedication, passion, and a willingness to contribute beyond personal gain. Employers value candidates who show commitment to causes or activities they believe in.

 

5. Exploring Career Paths: Volunteering can help individuals explore different career paths or industries they might be interested in pursuing. It’s a way to test the waters and gain insight into potential career choices.

 

6. Job Openings within Organizations: Sometimes, volunteer positions can evolve into paid roles within the same organization. Volunteers who have shown dedication and proficiency may be considered for paid positions that become available.

 Studies and statistics often highlight the positive correlation between volunteering and increased employability. 

 According to research conducted by the Corporation for National and Community Service in the United States, volunteers are 27% more likely to find a job after being out of work than non-volunteers. This study also emphasizes the acquisition of new skills through volunteering, which can contribute to employability.

 The VolunteerMatch Impact Report and other similar studies suggest that approximately 80% of hiring managers consider volunteering experience beneficial when evaluating candidates. Networking opportunities during volunteer work often lead to job referrals and connections that can aid in securing employment.

 According to the UK’s National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO), volunteering can boost confidence and provide practical experience valued by employers.

 So if you want to volunteer and not sure where to start you can visit our blog which tackles how to find volunteering opportunities

 vHelp works with charities and clinical trial organisations to reimburse volunteers and participants expenses quickly and securely 

Photo by Resume Genius on Unsplash

NCVO’S Time Well Spent 2023 – vHelp’s Take On The Report

I’m sure most of you have now read the Time Well Spent 2023 report by NCVO which was published back in June. I’ve only had the chance to digest it properly in the last week or so.   

Should Volunteers Be Reimbursed for Expenses?

 It’s generally considered good practice for charities to cover reasonable expenses incurred by volunteers. This can include costs for travel, meals, and other expenses directly related to their volunteer work. Reimbursing volunteers for expenses helps ensure that financial barriers don’t prevent people from contributing their time and skills to charitable causes. It also demonstrates appreciation for volunteers efforts and can encourage ongoing engagement and retention. 
Next Post »