Find a Job by Volunteering

Need a job? Or know someone looking?

Need a job? Or know someone looking? Volunteering is a great way to build your career. Some scoff that they don’t have enough time because they are too busy searching for work. Some say that it doesn’t really work. This is not a path to a job for everyone, but I hear many stories (including my own) that it does work.

Some benefits of volunteering for your job search:
• Prevents a gap from growing on your resume
• Provides extensive networking opportunities
• Supplies you with fresh professional references
• Develops your teamwork and leadership abilities
• Updates your skills and teaches you new ones
• Helps your community and shows your compassionate side
• Gives you confidence in your abilities, and builds self-esteem
• Allows you to gain experience or explore a new field, function, or industry

You may be able to turn your volunteer work into full-time employment with the organization that you are volunteering for. If they see that you are a devoted hard worker, and an opportunity arises, they will think of you first.

What special skills or abilities do you have, or want to develop? If you are an unemployed professional or skilled laborer, you can use those skills in your volunteer work. If, on the other hand, you have very little experience, or want to enter a new career field, you will start looking for a volunteer opportunity where you can get on-the-job training related to whatever you are passionate about or interested in.

How do you narrow the options down to find the right opportunity for you and the organization you are going to volunteer for? That is what we are here for. You can search our database of available opportunities. We typically have over 200 open opportunities for Central Oregon. We suggest you sign up to get updates on opportunities specific to your search. We get about 2 new or updated opportunities a day.

If you or anyone you know is looking for work, let them know how volunteering can help them stay connected and grow their employability.

Brendan Appleberry