Locating or creating the right opportunity, could ultimately lead to a pay cheque.
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Volunteering offers many benefits to both the volunteers and the people receiving the service. It can also put you on the path to landing a paying job. If you are interested in the idea of using volunteering as a way to find a paying job, here are a few hints to consider.
CHOOSE YOUR VOLUNTEERING EXPERIENCE CAREFULLY
Think about what causes you care strongly about and what sort of volunteering position is most likely to help you find a job that you could do well. For example, if you’re looking for an accounting position, seek out an organisation that can use your accounting skills as a volunteer and impress them with your performance.
CREATE YOUR OWN VOLUNTEERING JOB
Volunteering in a particular job can be a great way to improve your skills and enhance your resumé. For example, if you’re ultimately looking for a paid position in PR, or social media marketing, tell a non –profit organisation that you’d like to work as a volunteer writing blog posts, a newsletter, or running their Facebook page. Carefully suggest a structure for the position that lets you get out of it what you want,
VISIT WEB SITES THAT LIST VOLUNTEERING OPPORTUNITIES
Here are a few web sites to get you started. You can find more on a Google search.
http://midcoastcommunities.org.au/ www.volunteering.com.au www.volunteeringaustralia.org
ASK A FRIEND FOR SUGGESTIONS
Most of us have friends who have volunteered or worked for a non- profit organisation. They can be excellent sources of inside information about those organizations.
CREATE YOUR OWN ORGANISATION
If you feel passionately about a cause, want to build toward a paid career in this area, but can’t find a local organisation to get you going, start your own. You might do this by partnering with an existing group that could benefit from your services. For example, if you care about teaching seniors about dental care, you could partner with the local council or a dental clinic to launch a dental education program.
SERVE ON A BUSINESS ORGANISATION COMMITTEE
For example, if you’re eager to get hired for a marketing job, serve on a Chamber of Commerce committee to attract new members. There you can network and show others on the committee your knowledge of marketing. They may become impressed enough to offer you a paid position.
VOLUNTEER TO WRITE FOR INDUSTRY PUBLICATIONS
This is a great way to immediately position yourself as an expert. Research and writing takes time especially in the early stages, but a well put together article seen by the right people can turn into a calling card for prospective employers.