How to find a volunteer job

As discussed here, people volunteer for various reasons, one very important one is to gain experience in order to find a well-paid job. Potential employers look on volunteering very positively because it shows certain levels of motivation and desire to attain experience despite scarifying pay.

Motivating yourself

If truth be told, it can be difficult at times to go through with applying or seeking a volunteer job because most people have come to expect to be compensated financially for their work. However, always keep in mind there is something good that will come out of your time in volunteering.

People can significantly increase their chances of getting a job if they have done some volunteering in a related position to the one the one they are applying for.

A candidate that has gone through volunteering will be in a better position to lend a job to someone lacking experience

Process of finding a volunteer job

• Decide what type of volunteer job you would like to do
• Make sure it provides the type of experience you are seeking
• Prepare a CV
• Prepare a covering letter (change the covering letter depending on the organization and the type of volunteer job you are going to apply for)
• Be really convincing why you would like to volunteer

Where to find information on volunteering jobs?

Most volunteer jobs tend to be in the public sector. These are much easier to find then in the private sector.

• Local and national newspaper classifieds have section on volunteering. You will find many public sector organizations advertising for people to volunteer.
• Library
• Ask in person – many local public

Volunteering for a business

If you would prefer to volunteer in a commercially run organization such as a business then you are more likely to need to ask in person at a branch or telephone/ email the head office of a company. Not many businesses advertise volunteering positions.