Volunteering May Help You With Your Next Job

Posted by Editor on Oct 27th, 2009 | 0 comments home title

Volunteering has a meaningful, positive impact on the community you sow into. But as the headline suggests, volunteering is often seen as an opportunity to acquire job-related skills and improve your job getting ability. The ABC newscast video below talks more about this.

Volunteering indeed helps with communication skills, interpersonal skills, such as understanding people better, motivating others, and dealing with difficult situations, and develop better. But did you know that volunteering has many benefits for you too? Before viewing the video, fully consider the reasons to volunteer:

Learn or develop a new skill
Volunteering is a great way to find out what you are really good at and develop a new skill. It is never too late to learn new skills and no reason why you should stop adding to your knowledge just because you are in employment or have finished education.

Planning and implementing a major fundraising event can develop goal setting, planning and budgeting skills. Supervising and training other volunteers helps to develop supervisory and training skills. These are examples of skills that can enhance a career but you don’t have to develop skills with the intention of facilitating your career. Painting a mural or making banners to present your cause could gently push you to discover graphics and art talents. The possibilities are many.

No man or woman is an island
Volunteering is ultimately about helping others and having an impact on people’s wellbeing. There is no better way to connect with people than to give a little back? As a volunteer, you certainly return to society some of the benefits that society gives you.

Motivation and sense of achievement
Fundamentally, volunteering is about giving your time, energy and skills freely. Unlike many things in life there is choice involved in volunteering. As a volunteer you have made a decision to help on your own accord, free from pressure to act from others. Volunteers predominantly express a sense of achievement and motivation, and this is ultimately generated from your desire and enthusiasm to help.

Sometimes volunteers are regarded as do-gooders and those that hold that view also assume that one person can never make a difference. It may be true that no one person can solve all the world’s problems, but what you can do is make that little corner of the world where you live just that little bit better.

New interests and hobbies
Sometimes we do get locked into the “rat-race” of life and volunteering can give that escape to everyday routine and create a balance in our lives. Finding new interests and hobbies through volunteering can be fun, relaxing and energizing. The energy and sense of fulfillment can carry over to a work situation and sometimes helps to relieve tensions and foster new perspectives for old situations. Sometimes a volunteer experience can lead you to something you never even thought about or help you discover a hobby or interest you were unaware of. You can strengthen your personal/professional mission and vision by exploring opportunities and expanding your horizons.

New experiences
Volunteering is a brilliant way to get life experience. You will certainly experience the real world through hands-on work. Volunteer and sow into communities in developing countries and see the direct impact of your actions on some of the most vulnerable people of the world.

Meeting a diverse range of people
Volunteering brings together a diverse range of people from all backgrounds and walks of life. Both the recipients of your volunteer efforts and your co-workers can be a rich source of inspiration and an excellent way to develop your interpersonal skills. Not only will you develop lasting personal and professional relationships but it is also a great way to learn about people from all walks of life, different environments, and work experiences. Networking is often an unexpected benefit of volunteering and you can never tell who you will meet or what you will learn and the impact this could have on your life.

Send a signal to your employer, teachers, friends and family
Volunteering gives a more complete picture of you, and substantiates your commitment, dedication and interests. Show people what you are passionate about and inspire them too!

Kingdom Inroads offers you a unique opportunity to volunteer with a Singapore based organization which serves communities in the region and in Singapore.