How volunteering can enhance your career prospects and your life

If current economic conditions have taught us anything it’s this - a degree alone is no longer the ticket to the job of your dreams.

In an increasingly competitive market, employers are looking for something extra. No matter what your education or professional experience is, you have to think outside the box to enhance your career. For some, that means creating video r?sum?s and posting them on YouTube; for others, it’s leveraging social networking sites to reach decision makers. But really creative job seekers are beefing up their r?sum?s and making a difference – they’re volunteering.

“Volunteering not only teaches individuals leadership skills but also helps them with relationship development and community activism,” says Ana Valdez, executive director for the US based Hispanic Association on Corporate Responsibility. “Volunteering tells recruiters and hiring managers that you are willing to stretch yourself beyond your current role.” Volunteering provides opportunities to demonstrate an enterprising and rewarding use of time both on your r?sum? and in interviews.

If possible, tie your voluntary work to your career goals. For example, volunteering with children is valuable if you want to be a teacher or educational psychologist. If you have a political career in mind, volunteer to spend time on the campaign trail. And if you’re undecided about your career, volunteering allows you to experience a variety of areas and gives you more information to decide what career is right for you. For example, Interact, AFETT, Rotaract and Rotary clubs regularly invite speakers from a wide range of vocations to talk to members on professional development and current affairs as part of their activities.

Just because work is not paid, does not mean it is not valuable. It has been said that volunteers are not paid, not because they are worthless, but because they are priceless. Not only does volunteering give you skills and experiences to enhance your r?sum?, it can also be quite personally rewarding which is why there are already more than one million Rotary volunteers across the world.

Volunteering makes you feel great, especially when you aid someone in need, but there are other advantages.

You can build self-confidence, discover talents you didn’t know you had and teach others. And in a world where who you know can make all the difference, volunteering can open up many new networks – both social and professional.

It has also been shown that your health could improve from doing such a selfless thing, as you may end up with new friends and positive relationships in your life. And when those you help observe what a constructive thing volunteering is for you, you can be an inspiration to them, motivating them to want to help out and volunteer too.

Remember, volunteering is the ultimate exercise in democracy. You vote in elections once every five years, but when you volunteer, you vote every day about the kind of community you want to live in.

AFETT is a not-for-profit organization formed in 2002 with the goal of bringing together professional women and engaging in networking opportunities, professional training and business ideas.

ASK AFETT is a column meant to address issues and concerns of professionals seeking advice to assist in progressing in their careers. Today’s response was written by AFETT member, Lara Quentrall-Thomas, Founder of AFETT and Chairman of Regency Recruitment & Resources Ltd. AFETT provides many opportunities for those who want to volunteer and make a difference in their communities. Learn more about AFETT at www.afett.com, search for AFETT Events on Facebook, follow us @ AFETTEXECS on Twitter or contact us at 354-7130. Email us your career-related questions at admin.afett@gmail.com.