Looking for a job is often a time consuming, and frustrating experience. This is especially true during tough economic times, when it seems that there aren’t any job openings in many industries, or if you don’t have a lot of experience in the fields that appear to be hiring.

Volunteer service has a number of benefits, especially for job seekers. The following is a brief overview of the ways that volunteering can make it easier to land your dream job!

Volunteering Builds Skills – Including Confidence

The activities that volunteers participate in during their service gives them a chance to practice and perfect a host of skills. For example, if your volunteer work involves direct contact with others, it’s a great way to keep your people skills sharp as you must communicate, cooperate and collaborate with others to complete tasks. Each of these skills makes you a more valuable candidate for nearly any paid work position.

If the tasks that you perform during your service have a direct counterpart to positions in the for-profit sector, this can give you the experience that you need to get your foot in the door for an interview and to shorten your time to learn the ropes once you are hired.

Even if you happen to have a lot of experience in a specific field, and aren’t really learning any new skills through your volunteer work, volunteering can help you to stay on top of the latest developments and techniques so that your skills don’t grow rusty due to lack of use. Volunteer service also gives you a chance to try out a different industry or explore a new field when it is connected to an industry or activity that interests you, but is not one that you’ve previously worked in.

Of course, one’s self-esteem can take a hit from being out of work, especially for an extended period. The act of volunteering can provide a big boost to one’s feelings of self-worth and value and can be just what is needed to increase confidence so that others are more likely to give you an opportunity and hire you for a paid position.

Volunteering Increases Your Network of Contacts

Not every job opening is listed on public job search sites or with employment agencies. Many of the most challenging and lucrative positions are posted internally, and, as a volunteer, you are expanding your network of contacts to include others who might be aware of open positions in various organisations and industries.

Also, when it comes time to provide references, having contacts in the nonprofit sector that can testify to your hard work, determination and character is a valuable edge over others seeking the same position.

Offers an Attractive Explanation for Potential Gaps in Employment or Education

Most employers are looking for signs that their prospective job candidate is responsible and trustworthy. One sign that they might not be is there are gaps in their employment history.

By serving as a volunteer during your unemployment, you can show your willingness to remain connected with the workforce and that you have stayed engaged with others, building your skills, during these times.