By Courage Nyamhunga
Volunteering looks good on your CV, but how can you make your application and CV stand out from the crowd using volunteering? This is a challenge for most of us but here are a few tips that we have come across in our experience.
1. Make sure on applications and your CV that you mention a bit about the duties and responsibilities that you executed but most importantly, mention what you achieved and the skills you gained along the way.
2. No doubt all the candidates will have the right qualifications. Increase your chances of being shortlisted by highlighting and giving examples of the benefits of and skills gained through volunteering.
3. Volunteering takes commitment and dedication, however it’s very rewarding in the long run. If you have voluntary experience it shows you care and are interested in going the extra mile to support a worthy cause or organization.
4. It proves you are capable of managing your time effectively, that you have a ‘can do’ attitude and that you have an interest in doing something different to the norm.
5. If you have been gathering work experience and giving up your free time, it can place you in good stead for nailing that job interview, as experience matters. Make sure you can discuss this in lots of detail by providing and noting down information about your volunteering programme, and why you chose to do it. Who did you work with? What did you do? What did you learn? How has this helped you? These questions are always an excellent place to start.
6. Whilst you are volunteering try to gain valuable contacts you may be able to use in the future. Do not underestimate the power of that social capital you have. Don’t be afraid to ask your contacts questions to further develop your knowledge as well as for advice on what they can offer. You never know it could be a job opportunity or a contact they know that’s looking for someone just like you!
