If you have been unemployed for some time now or a recent victim to this economy, there is one thing that you can do to keep your resume current. Instead of having a gap from your last job to your current status, how about volunteering and adding that to your resume? It will make a great topic with hiring managers and HR when interviewing. One thing it will show that your not sitting on your ass collecting unemployment and trying to convince people that all your time is being spent landing your next job.
Let’s face it, it doesn’t take 8 hours a day to find a new job. In-fact you’ll go out of your mind not to mention bored to death! You’ve heard the saying “busy people get things done”. We’ll get busy and go volunteer your time for part of the day. It really doesn’t need to be in a specific area but more about a passion that you have. Volunteer in an area that you will enjoy and feel productive. This will give you a sense of purpose and will help you stay positive during this frustrating time.
As a recruiter I see unsolicited resumes everyday and 80 percent of them are from people that are not currently working. About 79.999 percent of them tell me that all of their time is spent looking for a new job. They all tell me how their time is spent. Checking ads, networking and sending resumes out via email. Really??? Come on, go do something! Go work in a shelter or a food pantry. Get involved and become creative. When you finally do get an interview it can truly be a highlight and might give you an edge over your competition. A breath of fresh air for hiring managers I’m sure. Plus you never know it might just lead to your next job or business!
While in transition, you’re after a paid job, not working for free. It’s natural to feel that way, but in fact volunteering could be the thing that gets you your next position. It’s happened often to job seekers. Volunteering has many rewarding facets, and most of them remain hidden till you uncover them by performing volunteer activities. Abby Kohut, president of Staffing Symphony LLC, recommends that 20 percent of a job seeker’s time be spent on volunteering.
Volunteering is a benevolent activity that could be extremely rewarding, especially for those in transition who need to hear a thank-you once in a while. Helping others is inherently enriching and satisfying. Providing assistance for others and lending a hand to people in need certainly qualify as good deeds. And when you give, you also get.
In general, people are open to the idea of volunteering but usually don’t take steps to initiate it because of the unknown and because they don’t know how to go about finding a suitable spot. Two decisions have to be made toward that end: First is to decide what type of volunteering interests you. Second is to decide where to find it. My advice is to search the Internet for the words finding volunteering opportunities. From there you’ll be guided to settling on your decisions.
Since volunteering is unpaid, your commitment can be short- or long-term. Make sure that during involvement in volunteer activities you take advantage of the opportunity to get acquainted with other people. Volunteering makes for an excellent occasion to network with people who appreciate your commitment to volunteer. Such people will listen to you and likely want to reciprocate. Make the most of it.
