When you’re in the market for a new role, actively volunteering or adding volunteer experience to your resume can set you apart from the competition. In a tough job market, the details matter, and a demonstrated commitment to get out of your comfort zone to invest in others can speak volumes to employers. Volunteering shows a commitment to community involvement and service and can be a key activity to becoming a well-rounded professional in and out of the office.
Incite Career Growth
Challenging yourself to volunteer can be an enriching experience that results in breaking through roadblocks, kickstarting your career, inspiring a new perspective, and redefining your professional and personal priorities. Finding a volunteer opportunity that aligns with your career, like mentoring, tutoring, or interacting with your company’s ideal client in a new way, can allow you to share your talents with opportunities to learn along the way.
The power of volunteering is clear as most Americans and Canadians opt to volunteer, either formally with an organization or informally among their neighbors, friends, and loved ones. More than 75.7 million Americans formally volunteer with an organization and 54% informally volunteer with tasks like running errands or offering childcare, according to AmeriCorps. Canada’s most recent General Social Survey on Giving, Volunteering, and Participating shows 24 million Canadians volunteer, and 22.7 million people volunteer informally.
Embrace the Journey
Volunteering offers an opportunity for self-discovery and growth while investing in your community. Dedicating time to help others creates positive change and enriches your life. The experience and impact of volunteering can offer a new perspective, add to your skills, and inspire a career-breakthrough, so embrace the journey and see how volunteering can improve your career and life.
Reflect on the Experience
The act of volunteering often involves making a tangible difference with an immediate reward. Volunteering at a food bank, helping an organization’s school supply drive, or visiting an animal shelter can evoke immediately feelings of joy or a sense of fulfillment. Reflecting on how the experience felt, the influence you had, and what ongoing lessons you can learn from it is an invaluable part of volunteering that can impact you professionally. The intangible outcomes are as important as the tangible results when it comes to professional and personal growth.
Find more volunteer inspiration on the Express Blog:
- Express Bike Loan Program Eases Transportation Needs
- 4 Benefits of Volunteering During Your Job Search
- Bringing Joy and Hope: Express Franchisees Make a Difference This Holiday Season
