Looking for a Job? How Charity Work Can Help You Find a Paying Job

So, you have either graduated from school and are ready to embark upon a career, or you are between jobs and looking for work, or you are working part-time but need a job that is going to pay the bills. Whatever your scenario, the job hunt can be exhausting and frustrating. You may have been reading advice articles or even attending classes or workshops to learn how to ace an interview or perfect your resume, but when interviews are few and far between, and your resume has already been polished to a glasslike shine (or is a little too lean yet to benefit from editing), how do you fill your time productively and still gain skills and experience without the benefit of a paying gig?

Try a non-paying one. Although it may seem counter-intuitive to give away your time and efforts for free just at the time you need compensation, you would be amazed by how much the experience of helping others can help you. When you have the experience of working with people from all walks of life, it can give you a sense of empathy that will not only enhance your abilities, but your sensibilities. Being able to relate to people is always a plus in the job market, and your newly-developed sense of what people need can help you ace those interviews, as well.

You may be working for free, but you are also learning skills for free, from office work to dealing with the public to doing construction and landscaping projects, should that be your task. In addition to acquiring knowledge and experience, you will also be making human connections that can help you. Your supervisor at the non-profit might be able to put in a good word for you if he or she knows of a paid opportunity, or at least write a glowing letter of recommendation for future use. You might meet other volunteers who know of job openings, as well. Networking can be the most powerful aid in securing long-term employment.

Potential employers like to see volunteer work on your resume, as well; not just because you have acquired experience that many other job candidates may not have, but it also gives the sense that you are not only a compassionate individual who is willing to work hard, but someone who didn't just sit around during the down time between jobs. Companies want people who can get things accomplished, so don't let the lackluster job market get you down. Now, more than ever, you can make a difference for someone else and help yourself immeasurably in the process!

Image credit: https://pixabay.com/illustrations/volunteer-volunteerism-volunteering-652383/