Many of us have been there. You’ve recently graduated or perhaps it’s your final year of school or you’ve just arrived in Canada. You begin searching for that perfect job in your field and bingo! You found it!
“Two years of experience?! How am I supposed to already have any job experience?”
According to a BBC article which looked at almost 4 million jobs posted on LinkedIn, 35% of “entry-level” positions ask for years of prior relevant work experience.
With more companies demanding more from their job applicants, how can new graduates and immigrants gain the necessary experience? The answer is simple: volunteer.
The Benefits
Here are four positive benefits that volunteering can have on your personal and professional development.
1. Volunteering looks great on your resumé
Giving back shows you are committed to your community and you have skills, connections, initiative, and experience needed in the workplace.
2. Volunteering gives you interpersonal and time management experience
Your volunteer experience shows you can get along with others, make a commitment, and that you have the attitude and skills employers want. Employers will also see that you can manage your time and complete your tasks.
3. Volunteering helps you practice and develop skills
Volunteering gives you a chance to build on skills you already have and learn new ones. For example, as a volunteer you might be able to use your second language or improve your public speaking skills. You could also learn a new computer program or get customer service skills.
4. Volunteering expands your network
Fun fact: 70% of jobs are filled by people via their network!
Volunteering gives you the chance to meet new people and expand your network. Keep a list of the contacts you make while volunteering. This includes staff, board members, and other volunteers. You never know who might help you and how.
Conclusion
Did we miss any benefits of volunteering? Feel free to share your thoughts!
GSGF is always looking for more volunteers. Join our team to nurture our children into the responsible green leaders our planet needs!
Sources:
- BBC. (n.d.). Why inexperienced workers can’t get entry-level jobs. BBC Worklife. Retrieved December 12, 2022, from https://www.bbc.com/worklife/article/20210916-why-inexperienced-workers-cant-get-entry-level-jobs
- Diversity Dashboard. (2022, May 18). Seventy percent of jobs are never published publicly, so networking for your career is essential. Diversity Dashboard. Retrieved December 12, 2022, from https://diversitydashboard.co.uk/news/seventy-percent-of-jobs-are-never-published-public/54/
- Mathieu Mackay – Website: hokela.ca
