Give Back to Get Ahead in Your Job Search

Give Back to Get Ahead in Your Job SearchGive Back to Get Ahead in Your Job SearchVolunteering and other charitable works can benefit your job search.Here are five reasons why giving back to the community will give your job search some extra oomph this season.It builds your resumePrograms for skills-based volunteering ( SBV ) are all the rage these days. They match professionals with nonprofit organizations based on the volunteers skill set and the nonprofits needs. If youre volunteering your professional expertise to a charity, include it in your resume. Write it as you would any other position in your resume by describing your role and achievements, highlighting the skills that are most relevant to your current career goals. To find a skills-based volunteer opportunity near you, visit sites like Catchafire.It exposes you to new career pathsBefore you commit to a new career path, take it for a test drive. Volunteering is a great way to learn more about a specific function or industr y, especially if youre considering a move to the government or non-profit sector. Additionally, this unpaid work can lead to more permanent placement within an organization. Youre already on the inside, making you more likely to hear about the openings and understand the company culture than the average candidate.It develops new skillsIf youre switching careers, seeking a promotion to the management level, or pursuing an encore career, chances are you have some skill gaps to fill. Identify volunteer opportunities that will allow you to fill these gaps by exposing you to a new industry or giving you the chance to head a committee or project. Target organizations that provide professional development opportunities for their volunteers. For instance, Step Up Womens Network ( SUWN ) offers monthly Power Breakfasts with industry leaders in well-known corporations.It grows your networkWhether youre attending charity events or volunteering your time, charitable work is a great way to meet new people and expand your network. Theres no better way to form a real connection with someone than through a shared interest. Even if the organization is unrelated to your profession, theres no telling who youll meet and who your fellow volunteers may know. To get involved in a cause you truly care about, visit VolunteerMatch.org and All for Good.It makes you a more attractive candidateJobvites social recruiting survey found that recruiters react positively to candidates who participate in charitable works. In fact, 65 percent of those polled said that candidates whose online professional profiles included good works such as volunteering and donations to charity were met with a more favorable response. If you are volunteering, include this information on your professional social networking profiles.Click on the following link to learn more about Giving Tuesday, and follow the conversation on Twitter with the hashtag GivingTuesday.