How Volunteering Can Boost Your Career

Helping others and donating your time to worthy causes is a positive thing to do and can make you feel good. But here are ways that volunteer work can also help you professionally:

You may impress (or inspire) your boss and co-workers. Bosses tend to like compassionate and generous workers. You may even motivate colleagues to follow suit, and perhaps even prompt your employer to launch an office-wide volunteer program.  

It bolsters your resume. In this competitive job market, hiring reps look for anything special that makes a candidate stand out. Plus, many companies are emphasizing community projects these days and seek employees who support that endeavor.

It's a way to learn (or practice) important skills. Charity organizations can't afford to be too picky about whether your skills are perfect, so this is a good opportunity to get some on-the-job experience and learn new skills without workplace pressure.   

It can provide valuable networking opportunities. Local power players are often involved with community organizations, and fellow volunteers may also be good contacts for job leads and industry connections, so take advantage by talking with those with whom you’re volunteering.

This article offers additional details on professional benefits of volunteering. Need more motivation? A recent study shows that volunteering may also help you live longer.

Ever benefitted professionally from a volunteer gig? Share your story in the comments.

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