Volunteering - A Stepping Stone to Employment

Today we’re talking about volunteering as a job seeker, and how volunteering can aid you in your job search. There’s a lot to discuss, so let’s get right into it!

Volunteering and Social Welfare Payments

There are lots of misconceptions about volunteering as a job seeker. Many people believe that if they volunteer while unemployed, they may lose their social welfare payments. Well, we’re happy to tell you that this isn’t the case! Not only is it possible, but it can in fact be a huge benefit to you in your job search. 

To volunteer as a job seeker, you’ll first need to find a voluntary position that’s right for you. You can find hundreds of open positions on i-vol.ie. 

Once you’ve done that, explain your situation to your voluntary supervisor, who can help you to fill out your VW1 form. You then need to hand this into your local Intreo branch, where a case officer will decide if you are eligible for voluntary work. 

Of course, you must continue to search for work while you volunteer, as well as be in a position to take up paid work if the opportunity arises. You can find more information and the VW1 form at the Citizen’s Information website. 

It’s worth noting that this advice only applies to those currently availing of the Jobseeker’s Benefit and Jobseeker’s Allowance payments. If you are on other forms of social welfare, including Disability Allowance and Illness Benefit, the steps may differ. It’s important to check government guidelines before beginning any volunteer work. More information can be found on citizensinformation.ie and gov.ie. 

Volunteering - A Stepping Stone to Employment

The benefits of volunteering are practically endless. It’s well known that volunteering deepens your involvement in your community, fosters a sense of self-satisfaction, and helps you to make new friends. But the advantages of volunteering in terms of building up your C.V are severely underrated. Here are some of the lesser-known benefits of volunteering for jobseekers.

Getting Experience

One of the most crucial aspects of your path to employment is your previous experience. Every interviewer will want to know what you’ve done in your past, and what you have learned. However, experience can also be a huge barrier to entry for those who are new on the job market, or for those who are looking to change careers. People often ask: ‘How can I gain that experience if I need experience to get a job in this field?!’ 

Volunteering is the perfect solution to this dilemma. Unlike unpaid internships, voluntary positions typically only take up a few hours of your week, leaving you with plenty of time to continue your job search and develop your skills in other ways. It gives you real, tangible experience that you can use to figure out if the career path is the right one for you and to talk about in interviews. This experience will seriously boost your chances of landing the job you want, and it will give you more confidence in your abilities, too. All while helping a charitable organization. It’s a win-win situation!

Gain New Skills

Job seeking can be a tough process, but it can also help us to think about what kind of jobs we see in our futures, and what kind of environment would lead to the most job satisfaction. If you are looking to change career paths, volunteering can be a fantastic way to learn new skills and hone your craft. 

For example, if you’re interested in getting a job in the retail sector, you could spend one evening a week volunteering in your local charity shop. This hands-on experience will teach you lots of skills that you can easily apply to your next job. 

Or maybe you’ve just finished a Computer Science degree, and are looking for a way to apply what you’ve learned in college to a real-life situation. Many charitable organizations need help developing their websites, and would be more than happy to have you onboard. This gives you a low-stakes project to get started with, and will help you to build your confidence and abilities as you go. 

References

Getting references can be one of the most difficult parts of building your C.V, especially if you are just starting out, or if you have a long employment gap that makes it difficult to get in contact with your previous employers. Volunteering puts you in direct contact with someone who can act as a reference for you. Your volunteer supervisor will get the chance to see you in action and can give a good, detailed reference that speaks to your skills and strengths. Moreover, organizations that take on volunteers know that it’s a give-and-take: you’re giving them your time, and so they are usually more than happy to provide a reference in exchange. 

Do note, though, that you usually need to have been volunteering for between three to six months before being provided with a reference - you need to give your supervisor a chance to get to know you, after all. However, Louth Volunteer Centre can provide letters confirming your participation in volunteer events in the early stages of your volunteer work. 

Impress Employers

Your C.V is a potential employer’s first introduction to who you are, but you’re limited by the restricted format, so you don’t have much space to really express yourself. Instead, you need to let your skills and experiences do the talking for you. Having voluntary experience listed is a surefire way to make your C.V stand out. It tells them that you’re motivated, capable of taking initiative, philanthropic and a team player - all highly valuable skills in the workplace, and in life. In fact, according to a survey from the English volunteering charity Timebank, three-quarters of employers prefer to recruit candidates with volunteering experience. 

There are so many exciting opportunities to boost your skills with volunteering - these are just some examples. Hop on over to i-vol.ie to find the perfect role for you.

Louth Volunteer Centre also deliver group workshops on Volunteering as a Stepping Stone to Employment. You can book a workshop free of charge via our Volunteer Workshops page. 

Happy volunteering!