We welcome and support, so you achieve…

Developing your experience

Developing your experience & skills

Trying to get experience when no-one will give you a chance can feel like an impossible task.

Many people tell us of the frustrations of not being able to apply for jobs, or being turned down, because they lack the relevant experience to take them further.

The cycle often goes… if I can’t get a job because I don’t have experience how do I get experience so that I can get a job?

There is a solution, the answer is through VOLUNTEERING. Yes, volunteering!

Links to main topics - click to jump

How volunteering increased my job prospects

Most jobs or careers these days demand experience before you start – but how are you supposed to get it?

Many people overlook the benefits of volunteering, or never consider even consider it because they see it as ‘just doing something for nothing’, but for those of us who volunteer, or work with volunteers we know that this is not true.

Volunteering could be the perfect way to get some good skills and prove your worth, as long as you make sure you get as much out of it as you’re putting in.

There may be no financial payment from being a volunteer but that doesn’t mean that you don’t get anything back. Volunteering can be a great way to get the experience that you need in order to progress your career.

Not convinced, then read on…

Putting in the ground work

“Many people find themselves up against it when it comes to convincing employers that they are the right person for the job,” says Alison Bielecka, from Volunteer Development Scotland. “This is largely because it’s not always easy to convince someone of your skills if you can’t demonstrate the successful application of them. Volunteer work can open the door to a preferred profession, or even allow new possibilities to be explored.”

Improving your skills

Most volunteer work will help to develop basic transferable skills, such as teamwork, communication and relationship building. Beyond these, volunteering boosts confidence and could also give you an insight into which career might suit you, as 19-year-old Toni Jones discovered when she decided to volunteer for her local children’s services team. “I learnt a lot of skills: finding the materials and listening to how children want to play with them,” she explains.

When a job came up in the team, Toni could demonstrate her abilities. “Although there were three other applicants, I got the position,” she says. “It was hard volunteering and not being paid, but I would tell other volunteers to stick it out as something good comes out of it at the end.”

Making the most out of volunteering

Match your volunteering to your area of interest, or proposed career choice. If you want to become a nurse, volunteering to dredge your local river might not be the best idea, so keep one eye on your CV and career prospects when picking a project. There are many organisations you can contact, including your local council, who can advise on what is available in your area. Or look online at sites like www.do-it.org.

Volunteering = Slave labour doesn't it?

Many people think that volunteering is just about working for nothing. This is not the case especially if you consider what you might get out of the role as well as what you can contribute. Organisations are happy to give you some support to develop yourself as long as they get something back in the process. Volunteering can be a two way street. There’s no shame in wanting to get something out of your hard labour for yourself – whether it’s a warm glow from helping someone else or new skills to go on your CV – or preferably both.

Volunteering got me a job

James was born and bred in Hull and now works full time as Audience Development Officer for Hull Museums.

Ditching your day job to start volunteering may not sound like a top career move, but James is proof it can be the springboard to something new.

I managed to secure some voluntary work at Hull Museums in a marketing capacity, giving me an opportunity to get practical experience, and started volunteering two days a week. After a few months, some part-time summer jobs came up at the museum as attendants, so I decided to go for one… and got it. Because it was only 16 hours a week it still meant I could volunteer around my hours, while it also gave me some cash. I think the main thing that helped me was my familiarity with the museums and procedures, as well as knowing the staff and understanding the museums’ needs over summer.

One of the things that helped me throughout my time as a volunteer is that I treated it as if it were a job, which helped me keep focus on my new career. Even after eight months of volunteering and not doing much socially due to having next-to-no money, if I could go back to the moment before I handed my notice in, I wouldn’t change a thing. I’m so much happier in my museum job and now feel like university was actually worth it, although I wish I’d done this during my time studying. I’d recommend volunteering to anyone. With the way job opportunities are for young people now, it could be the thing that helps you get that first step on the ladder, sooner rather than later.

What types of volunteering can I do?

Almost anything! Opportunities are open to all, regardless of your skills or the amount of time you can spare. In fact, there’s a good chance you can volunteer in something you love doing. You could coach a youth football team or help out at your favourite music festival.

The skills I have learned as a volunteer are easily transferable to numerous career-related activities.

Joshua - Physics graduate

How to sell your volunteering experience to employers

Volunteer in the area of work you are looking for

Volunteering is an effective way to gain relevant experience. There are volunteering opportunities in a wide range of activities, many of which can have a direct link to the work place.

For example, if you are interested in looking for a job in marketing, you could volunteer with a local charity helping with their marketing activities.

Take charity shops for instance, if you helped volunteer here you can develop customer skills, cash handling, stock control, and mechandising skills all of which could help you get into main-stream retailing. In similar settings you could learn admin skills, youth work, computer skills, first aid, the sky is the limit.

There are many similar volunteering opportunities that could be a way of you developing your work experience whilst at the same time receiving benefit yourself from giving something back into the community.

Market yourself to employers - stand out from the crowd

Remember that when you are applying for jobs, you need to market yourself to employers and stand out from the crowd. Volunteering will help you do this. In addition to your work experience, employers are keen to know about other activities that you have undertaken, and how you have occupied your time during periods when you may not have actively been in work.

Mention your volunteering on your CV & when applying for jobs

Don’t ignore the benefits of your volunteering when you apply for jobs. Always include details of your volunteering in your covering letter and on your CV. Make sure you highlight the skills and experience that you have gained through your volunteering, and how this has fed into your overall skills and personal development.

Volunteering and its Surprising Benefits

Helping yourself while helping others

In today’s busy society, it can be hard to think about finding time to volunteer. However, the benefits of volunteering are enormous, both to you, your family and the community. The right match can help you find friends, reach out to the community, learn new skills and even advance your career. Volunteering can even help protect your mental and physical health. Learn more about the many benefits of volunteering and tips on finding the right place for you.

Benefit 1: Volunteering connects you to others

One of the better-known benefits of volunteering is the impact on the community. Unpaid volunteers are often the glue that holds a community together. Volunteering allows you to connect to your community and make it a better place. However, volunteering is a two-way street, and it can benefit you and your family as much as the cause you choose to help. Dedicating your time as a volunteer helps you make new friends, expand your network, and boost your social skills.

> Volunteering helps you make new friends and contacts

One of the best ways to make new friends and strengthen existing relationships is to commit to a shared activity together. Volunteering is a great way to meet new people, especially if you are new to an area. Volunteering also strengthens your ties to the community and broadens your support network, exposing you to people with common interests, neighbourhood resources, and fun and fulfilling activities.

> Volunteering increases your social and relationship skills

While some people are naturally outgoing, others are shy and have a hard time meeting new people. Volunteering gives you the opportunity to practice and develop your social skills, since you are meeting regularly with a group of people with common interests. Once you have momentum, it’s easier to branch out and make more friends and contacts.

Benefits 2: Volunteering is good for your mind and body

Volunteering provides many benefits to both mental and physical health.

> Volunteering increasing self-confidence.

Volunteering can provide a healthy boost to your self-confidence, self-esteem and life satisfaction. You are doing good for others and the community, which provides a natural sense of accomplishment. Your role as a volunteer can also give you a sense of pride and identity. And the better you feel about yourself, the more likely you are to have a positive view of your life and future goals.

> Volunteering combats depression.

Reducing the risk of depression is another important benefit of volunteering. A key risk factor for depression is social isolation. Volunteering keeps you in regular contact with others and helps you develop a solid support system, which in turn protects you against stress and depression when you’re going through challenging times.

> Volunteering helps you stay physically healthy.

Volunteering is good for your health at any age, but it’s especially beneficial in older adults. Studies have found that those who volunteer have a lower mortality rate than those who do not, even when considering factors like the health of the participants. Volunteering has also been shown to lessen symptoms of chronic pain or heart disease.

Benefits 3: Volunteering can advance your career

If you’re considering a new career, volunteering can help you get experience in your area of interest and meet people in the field. Even if you’re not planning on changing careers, volunteering gives you the opportunity to practice important skills used in the workplace, such as teamwork, communication, problem solving, project planning, task management, and organization. You might feel more comfortable stretching your wings at work once you’ve honed these skills in a volunteer position first.

> Volunteering can provide career experience

Volunteering offers you the chance to try out a new career without making a long-term commitment. It is also a great way to gain experience in a new field. In some fields, you can volunteer directly at an organization that does the kind of work you’re interested in. For example, if you’re interested in nursing, you could volunteer at a hospital or a nursing home. Your volunteer work might also expose you to professional organizations or internships that could be of benefit to your career.

> Volunteering can teach you valuable job skills

Just because volunteer work is unpaid does not mean the skills you learn are basic. Many volunteering opportunities provide extensive training. For example, you could become an experienced crisis counsellor while volunteering for a women’s shelter or a knowledgeable art historian while donating your time as a museum docent.

> Volunteering can build skills you already have

Volunteering can also help you build upon skills you already have and use them to benefit the greater community. For instance, if you hold a successful sales position, you raise awareness for your favourite cause as a volunteer advocate, while further developing and improving your public speaking, communication, and marketing skills.

> When it comes to volunteering, passion and positivity are the only requirements

While learning new skills can be beneficial to many, it’s not a requirement for a fulfilling volunteer experience. Bear in mind that the most valuable skills you can bring to any volunteer effort are compassion, an open mind, a willingness to do whatever is needed, and a positive attitude.

Benefits 4: Volunteering brings fun and fulfilment to your life

Volunteering is a fun and easy way to explore your interests and passions. Doing volunteer work you find meaningful and interesting can be a relaxing, energizing escape from your day-to-day routine of work, school, or family commitments. Volunteering also provides you with renewed creativity, motivation, and vision that can carry over into your personal and professional life.

Many people volunteer in order to make time for hobbies outside of work as well. For instance, if you have a desk job and long to spend time outdoors, you might consider volunteering to help plant a community garden, lead local hikes, or help at a children’s camp.

> Consider your goals and interests

You will have a richer and more enjoyable volunteering experience if you first take some time to identify your goals and interests. Start by thinking about why you want to volunteer. Also think about what you would enjoy doing. Volunteer opportunities that match both your goals and your interests are most likely to be fun and fulfilling for you.

Tips for Getting Started Volunteering

First, ask yourself if there is something specific you want to do.

For example, do I want…
…to make it better around where I live
…to meet people who are different from me
…to try something new
…to do something with my spare time
…to see a different way of life and new places
…to have a go at the type of work I might want to do as a full-time job
…to do more with my interests and hobbies
…to do something I’m good at

The best way to volunteer is to match your personality and interests. Having answers to these questions will help you narrow down your search.

How to find the right volunteer opportunity

There are numerous volunteer opportunities available. The key is to find a volunteer position that you would enjoy and are capable of doing. It’s also important to make sure that your commitment matches the organization’s needs. The following questions can help you narrow your options:

Would you like to work with people or would you rather work in solitude?
Do you prefer to work alone or as part of a team?
Are you better behind the scenes or do you prefer to take a more visible role?
How much time are you willing to commit?
How much responsibility are you ready to take on?
What skills can you bring a volunteer job?
What causes are important to you?

Consider several possibilities

In your search for the right volunteer opportunity, don’t limit yourself to just one organization or one specific type of job. Sometimes an opportunity looks great on paper, but the reality is quite different. Try to visit different organizations and get a feel for what they are like and if you click with other staff and volunteers. The more satisfaction you have as a volunteer, the better your contributions and the more likely you’ll continue.

Where to find volunteer opportunities?

Voluntary and community groups that you know
Local charities
Community Champions
Digital Champions
Green Volunteers
Rochdale and District Mind
NHS Volunteers
Action Together
Do-It web site
Gov web site – volunteering section

Getting the most out of volunteering

You’re donating your valuable time, so it’s important that you enjoy and benefit from your volunteering. It’s important to make sure that your volunteer position is a good fit and to communicate with the people you’re working with in the volunteer organization.

Ask questions.

You want to make sure that the experience is right for your skills, your goals, and the time you want to spend. If you have any questions, be sure to speak up. Sample questions to your volunteer coordinator might address your time commitment, if there’s any training involved, who you will be working with, and what to do if you have questions during your experience.

Make sure you know what’s expected.

Before starting, make sure you are comfortable with the organization, know what is expected, and understand the time commitment. Consider starting small so that you don’t over commit yourself at first. Give yourself some flexibility to change your focus if needed.

Don’t be afraid to make a change.

Speak up if your experience isn’t what you expected. Don’t force yourself into a bad fit. Talk to the organization about changing your focus or consider looking for another match.

Enjoy yourself.

Most importantly, make sure you’re having fun! The best volunteer experiences benefit both the volunteer and the organization. If you’re not enjoying yourself, ask yourself why. Is it the tasks you’re performing? The people you’re working with? Or are you uncomfortable simply because the situation is new and familiar? Pinpointing what’s bothering you can help you decide how to proceed.

Developing your experience