Volunteer work can be one of the most productive forms of labor a person can do. But to obtain the benefits, one must step back and look at the bigger picture. Aside from providing a rewarding challenge and building self-confidence, it also teaches compassion for others. If you have volunteer work on your resume, it will tell a potential employer a lot.
You Have Emotional Intelligence
Emotional intelligence is defined as one’s self awareness, awareness of how others think and feel, and being able to use that awareness to move others. Not everyone chooses to do volunteer work, but those who do tend to higher amounts of emotional intelligence (also known as E.Q.). Their empathic abilities help them put themselves in a client’s, colleague’s, or the company’s shoes in order to see business objectives from all perspectives. These people are effective problem solvers and are major drivers in moving a business forward.
You Have Experience in Your Field
A summer volunteering on an organic farm in Madagascar can give you life skills in the areas of teamwork, punctuality, and physical fitness, all of which may benefit you in your line of work. If you’re in farming, it will help you even more, but your volunteer work doesn’t need to be directly related to the job you are applying for. General skills are always transferable. If you are part of a career and technical education program (particularly when you are in high school), volunteering can also help. When you’re gaining a certification, you might be tempted to not to volunteer since you feel that your qualifications are enough, but they will drastically help employers perceptions of your experience.
You Have the Dedication to See Things Through
It’s one thing to say you want to volunteer or to try a project out for one day, it is a whole other thing to dedicate serious time to something. Having completed any major volunteer project or a lot of small efforts over time will show that you have the dedication to finish what you start. This is particularly useful for young workers who need accomplishments to put on their resume.
You Have Your Life in a Healthy Balance
If you can make time for volunteering, then you’ve figured out a thing or two about balance and time management. Healthy people have balance in their lives between private time and work time. Having made time for a variety of activities shows your potential employer that you can manage stress without experiencing burnout.
You’ve Already Begun Building Your Network
Volunteer work will introduce you to people from all around the world, building a social network that could be valuable in your field. They say networking is key in every profession, and developing skills at networking as well as building your own network, will serve you well for years ahead.
All of these factors will make you more desirable as an employee or business partner. Your resume is more than just your work experience. It’s a map of the road that led you here, and all the adventures you’ve had along the way. Volunteering shows that you’re an empowered person who takes things into their own hands by devoting unpaid time to giving back. Who wouldn’t want to work with someone like that?
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