How Volunteering Can Help You Advance Your Career
Idealist Guest Aug 14, 2023 10:00 AMAs someone interested in social impact, you’re probably excited about any and all opportunities to work with an organization that serves a cause or community you care about. Well, whether you’d like to learn more about a nonprofit, dip your toes into a new mission area, or become familiar with the current staff at an organization, volunteering can also help you advance your social-impact career.
Curious about exploring opportunities on idealist.org? Here are four ways volunteering can help you build up your skill set, as well as advice on how to leverage your experience in job application materials.
How volunteering can help you advance your career
Including volunteer experience on your job applications
If a volunteer position relates to the roles you’re applying for, feel free to include it on your resume as “Relevant Experience;” just make sure you’re clear about the time commitment (and that it is a volunteer position, of course!). If the position is unrelated to your career trajectory—but you feel the experience is important to share—consider including it in another section on your resume for “Extracurricular Activities.”
Hiring managers will appreciate the opportunity to see your passions translated into action. If you’re writing a cover letter, share some of the points we listed in the section above as ways your volunteer experience has prepared you for the role at hand. For sector switchers who’d like to join a nonprofit, weaving volunteer experience into your application materials can help you make a meaningful connection to the sector.
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Recognizing the impact of volunteers on our sector is an important part of working for a nonprofit. To gain first-hand experience, find a volunteer position that relates to your work or interests today!
by April Greene
VOLUNTEER Idealist Guest Aug 14, 2023 10:00 AMThis post was contributed by a guest author.