Volunteering

A reliable work history is a clear signal to an employer that you’re dependable and have performed well in previous job roles, but sometimes getting the work experience you need can be almost impossible to do, and that’s where volunteering comes in. An employer will usually look at the last 10 years of an employment history on a C.V, or your last 2 jobs. Because it’s so vital to have an established work history with little or no gaps in it when going for good jobs, charitable work is an alternative route you can take to get the experience you need – giving you a realistic chance to get the job you’ve always wanted when you go for your next interview
 
Normally people who consider volunteering will have a specific career path in mind. But when considering whether or not to volunteer, there are a few things we should be taking into account as regards our C.V. We need to first think about if the line of work we want to get into is relevant to the position we are volunteering for. For example, there are normally good opportunities for volunteering throughout most parts of the country. However, if we want to do a specific line of volunteering work, without a specialised degree or experience in that area, it may be very difficult. Which leads us to our next question, how relevant is the work we are volunteering for as regards the employment history on our C.V currently, and what transferable skills will it bring? When considering these things, we should also remember that having any type of volunteer work on our C.V whatsoever that fills long gaps in our employment history is usually immeasurably more beneficial than having none whatsoever

What volunteering can provide you with is a reliable work history for your C.V, as well as opportunities for skilled training in some roles. Recruiters typically don’t discriminate between a work history that consists of regular employment, or one consisting of regular employment with some volunteer work in-between. The main thing is that you clearly state on your C.V what the role was, the dates you performed that role, and clearly articulate what your job duties where – this is what will stand out most for a recruiter

The advantage with volunteer work is that it’s easy to get into, and while some volunteer roles will still be quite demanding, there is normally less pressure when volunteering as the atmosphere tends to be a bit more casual than most paid jobs

Like all good businesses, charities and other organisations that require volunteers have a diverse range of operations and administrative functions that have a need for strong, competent candidates. Depending on your skillset, qualifications, and location in the country, there are a multitude of different volunteering roles you can get into such as:

• Fundraising
• Community support (local sports, events staff)
• Arts, Tutoring (Music/Drama/Crafts)
• Teaching/Tutoring/Learning support
• Youth work
• Befriending/Mentoring
• Administrative/Office work
• Personnel and human resourcing
• Marketing, Communications and Campaigning
• Grants officers/Advisers
• Volunteer management
• Policy development and research
  
  

PAID VOLUNTEERING ROLES

(Some volunteer work can lead to paid jobs)

Many times the organization will indicate to you beforehand whether or not this is the case, although it all depends on the organisation you are working for, and the type of role you are performing in question. Career paths in volunteer roles are typically less structured than in many other professions, and there is usually less forward mobility if you want to progress within the organisation or move into a different role. With that being said, management tends to be a bit more open and transparent with it’s staff than a private or public sector organisation might necessarily be. (Although there will normally be stiff competition for paid roles within charities and NPO’s, even at the entry level). Also be aware that if you are fortunate enough to land a paid role through a voluntary position, you can normally expect to receive less pay for performing that job than you would in the public or private sectors

Like any job, you are likely to get more from the role if you are motivated by that organisation’s goals and values. This is especially true in volunteering roles as you are not being paid a wage to compensate you. Nevertheless, volunteer work not only gives you the opportunity to maintain your skills, but can also give you opportunities to learn new ones

Volunteer the minimum and still get the maximum

A volunteer job is a convenient way to get badly needed experience and work history onto your C.V

There is also a definite social element here as well. You will get to meet new people, and like any regular job, there will be nights out and opportunities to attend various social events – this can be a very good thing because when you’re unemployed your social calendar can otherwise be quite limited. You may also get to travel more as well – and can claim any costs back through expenses

With any job there will be a minimal amount that you’re either contracted to work (a legally binding contract) or expected to work (in the form of zero hour contracts) each week.  A great advantage with a volunteer position is that it’s up to you how much you want to commit to. While you will still have an agreement, and papers to sign, you will not be contracted in the same way that a paid employee is. In this way then you can commit to only a minimum number of hours each week if you wish – there will be no financial repercussions because you’re not losing out on wages – and the advantage to your C.V will be just the same as if you were volunteering full-time hours for that organisation. So it doesn’t matter if it’s 10 hrs or 40 hrs a week you volunteer for – an employer will only see on your C.V that you were involved with that organisation, and the number of months or years that you volunteered with them for – so you still gain the same advantage on your C.V when it comes to filling in any long gaps of unemployment, even if you commit to working the minimum amount of hours each week for that organisation

What to ask an organisation when considering a volunteer position with them

How long has the organisation been around for? What inspired it’s inception? What are it’s goals moving forward?

What is it’s impact in the local community?

What are the requirements for volunteers in this position? What qualities are required to make this placement successful?

How does the role you would be volunteering for contribute to the organisation’s long-term objectives?

How does the organisation monitor its success within the schemes and initiatives it enacts?
(The answer is interesting because if it has a good way of doing this it will increase the likelihood of it securing further funding for its projects, which in turn will help you assess the viability of that role for you. This is especially true if you are applying for a volunteer role that could lead to a paid position, or you want to build a career in the third sector)

Ask if there is any scope for that role to lead into a paid post, or in what ways you can use this role to make a career for yourself within a. that organisation; b. within the third sector

You can also ask to speak with some current volunteers before you begin – that way you can get a feel for the role and see if it’s right for you

It’s also very useful to ask about any affiliations or partnerships it has with other organisation’s

Not only does this help you assess the suitability of the organisation itself – but in some roles it may be relevant to add this information onto your C.V, giving added depth and scope to your summary of this position. Do this by asking questions such as:

What companies partner with your organisation?

Are they affiliated with any religious organisations?

How does the organisation source any external labor or services that it uses? Also, what steps does it take to ensure that it doesn’t exploit affiliated labor or resources in any way



ABOUT THE ROLE

Further questions should be asked specifically around the role itself before you commit to it. Do this by asking questions such as:

What are the volunteer’s responsibilities during the placement?

What do the specific job duties entail?

How many days a week and for how many hours a week can you work?

FOR WORKING ABROAD

A broad range of questions should always be asked before accepting any volunteer position in a foreign country. Do this by asking questions such as:

How close is the volunteering assignment to major cities, consulates, and medical facilities?

Will you need any medical shots before you go?

Is internet access available?

Are there any rules on curfews, behaviour, dress code you should be aware of?

What languages will the people you’ll be working with speak?

What documents will you need to travel?

What’s the local climate like, and are there any dangers or risks you should be aware of?

While many of these answers can be found online with a little research, there are certainly some good questions and points you can bring to an interview when discussing any volunteer roles with an organisation