Learning from volunteering.

Volunteering can be an excellent way to further your studies and enhance your career prospects. To compete effectively in the current economic climate, and to enhance your employability, it’s crucial that you can provide evidence to employers of the transferable skills you possess, many of which can be gained as a volunteer. The competencies demanded by graduate recruiters commonly include.

• people skills – teamwork, good communication, networking and empathy
• management skills – leadership, use of initiative, delegation, planning and organizing
• business skills – commercial awareness and an understanding of how organizations operate.

Selling your experience

Think carefully about how you will ‘sell’ this experience in your CV and future application forms. Voluntary work can give you an insight into an area of work, as well as developing your skills, qualities and experience. It will help your case if you explain to a prospective employer how you have researched your career ideas and made a positive decision about your future career goals. It shows commitment, and employers are impressed by individuals who give their time to worthwhile initiatives. In addition, undertaking some voluntary work enhances your CV, gives you access to useful contacts, and helps to develop your network of contacts. It might even get you noticed by a prospective employer.

The study unit "Using voluntary work to get ahead in the job market", available free on the Open University's OpenLearn website, contains information and activities to help you identify and market skills acquired from voluntary work to enhance your employability.

If you feel you need help with your planning, try our Career Planning activity or explore the guidance in Career Progression and Development.

How employers view voluntary work

Most employers look very favourably upon applicants who can, alongside other evidence provided in their application, show that they have worked as a volunteer. As well as indicating which organisation you volunteered with, it’s important to explain exactly what your responsibilities were, what you learnt and the skills you developed as a result. The transferable skills developed in voluntary work are applicable in most work situations.

What employers say

UK graduate recruiters explain how they view applicants who have voluntary work experience.

A graduate needs more than just academic achievements to standout from the crowd. Student volunteering can have a positive impact upon an individual's employability. It can provide access to a network of people and challenging opportunities; aids personal development; enhances academic learning - most of all it fosters a proactive attitude.

Group Graduate Program Manager, The Co-operative Group

In a challenging recruitment market, students will really benefit from up skilling and developing themselves to stand out amongst their peers and differentiate them from other applicants. A great way to do this is by volunteering. Not only do individuals usually gain broader business skills and an understanding of the culture and world of work, but are also able to give something back and support others.

It provides candidates with a great example of demonstrating their initiative, drive and determination, even more so if the experience required fund raising or travelling away from home for long periods.

Graduate Recruitment Lead, Accenture

Date: 2015-12-24; view: 716