It may be that you just like volunteering, but there are times when you may find that you need to consider volunteering as something that may help you and the organisation you're supporting.

 

Sometimes having the right qualifications such as a high school certificate, degree and diploma may not be enough to help you get the job you want.

 

Sometimes employers are looking for something more and that they are looking for some prior experience, and work experience can provide this opportunity.

 

Employers often desire this experience from volunteering, as these candidates can transition better into the workforce and role, and require less effort and time compared to someone with no experience.

 

While you can continue to persist and keep applying for jobs, there are many opportunities that you can undertake in the meantime, within the profit and non-profit sector, that you can volunteer and work on, at least until you do find that job you're seeking.

 

We will do a breakdown of each below;

 

Non-for-profit organisation opportunities

 

Most non-profit organisations such as charities and service organisations would be gladly to take you onboard to help you develop your skills, knowledge and gain that experience.

 

As it's a win-win situation for both parties, in that you're gaining the experience you desire and they are able to utilise your skills to help them carry out their organisational goals.

 

Moreover, you are often helping to make a difference within the community at the same time through supporting these organisations that may help to raise money to fund cancer research projects, find homeless shelter for those in need, etc.

 

Organisations (for-profit) opportunities

 

While most will often think that volunteering is only something you can do for non-profit organisations such as charities, what you may not realise is that you can also ask to volunteer at almost any organisation.
 

Since they might not have the budget or resources to hire and offer you a paid position, they can however, offer you a position where you would undertake similar (if not the same) roles and responsibilities that you would receive if you getting paid to work there, only you're volunteering rather than getting paid.

 

In doing so, you're showing your enthusiasm and commitment for the role and organisation, and at times, if they do find the means available, they may even offer you a paid position.

 

 

Regardless, of whether you volunteer for a non-for-profit or a for-profit organisations, after a while you should have gained some of the many experiences, skills and knowledge that you take with you for paid job opportunities.

 

You will find that volunteering can be quite rewarding, and everyone benefits in their own different ways.

 

This may include finding that you will learn a lot about yourself, about the role and responsibilities you're been undertaking and how an organisation operates.

 

Sometimes it can give you the insight you need to know whether that job you're been trying to get may not be the right one for you after all!

 

To help you get started in your search here is a brief list of some current volunteer job opportunities resources available:

 

A great way to identify and find that volunteer opportunity:  http://www.actnow.com.au/Tool/Finding_the_right_volunteer_opportunity.aspx

 

Volunteer search websites:
http://www.govolunteer.com.au/volunteer/default.htm
http://www.volunteer.com.au/
http://jobsearch.gov.au/volunteer/default.aspx

 

Good luck!

 

by Vu Long Tran
 
Vu Long Tran is a writer and contributor for Youth into Action.

 
Vu Long Tran currently works as an IT research analyst for IT research analyst firm, Hydrasight. His interests include running, meditation and reading.
 
He is an active member of the Australian Computer Society (ACS) where he is a committee member with the Committee on IT ethics, e-Commerce, Young professionals in IT and Tea House Toastmasters club.
 
He is currently undertaking his post-graduate through the ACS’s Computer Professional Education Program. He is also actively volunteers with a number of local community groups including Mobil Environment Improvement Plan Steering Committee, Altona Lions Club, Altona State Emergency Services (SES), Hobsons Bay City Council Youth Voice Committee, Privacy Victoria Youth Advisory Group, YMCA and Youth Affairs Council of Victoria.