5 career-boosting reasons you should volunteer (in addition to being a good person)

 You put a lot into your job hunt. You tweak your resume, polish your LinkedIn profile, research companies, and brush up on your interview skills as needed. But, what if I told you that you're missing something big? Something that  76% of career adviser say will make you way more likely to actually land the job.

Now, before you roll your eyes and dismiss me as just another cheesy do-gooder who's trying to motivate you to get off your butt and make a difference in the world (even though, well, I really think you should), hear me out. This is more than just your opportunity to do something great for your community it can also have a major impact on your job search and professional reputation.

1. It looks good on your resume

Let's start with the most obvious one first. If there's one point that you can't refute, it's that volunteer work looks great on your resume. After all, when's the last time you heard someone complain about a person being too helpful and community-minded? Probably never.

I'm sure that the skills listed on your resume are nothing short of impressive. But, when you're willing to use those competencies to help with a deserving cause  even when there's really nothing in it for you? That makes you look not only qualified, but conscientious.

2. It presents an opportunity to meet new people

No, networking doesn't just need to be done on linkedln  or at a formal networking event. And, it definitely doesn't need to be forced, uncomfortable, and filled with awkward pauses. So, this is where volunteering comes in. It's an easy and completely natural way to meet some new connections in your area.

Generally, volunteer opportunities have a pretty friendly, low-pressure environment. This means that you can have genuine, engaging conversations with people who share your interests  without that awkward air of expectations. Chances are, you'll make more meaningful connection doing this than you ever have around the appetizer table at a networking event.

3. It helps you determine your career goals

Donating your time to volunteer is also a great way to gather information and find out a little bit more about what exactly you're looking for in regards to your career. Perhaps you've always worked for a large company and are curious about what life is like with a smaller nonprofit. Or, maybe you're itching to find out a little bit more about what it's like to work in a  startup environment . Volunteering  presents a non-threatening opportunity for you to figure all of that stuff out. And, that information is undoubtedly valuable when determining your next career move.

4. It allows you to develop and refine new skills

You've mastered your current position. And, while it's great to feel confident and secure in your job, that doesn't mean you want to be completely done trying and experiencing new things.

When you volunteer, you can try your hand at tons of different skills and challenges, without any threat to your reputation or current job standing. Whether you've always wanted to dip your toes into the world of coding or you've been meaning to learn a little bit more about marketing, you should have no trouble finding a volunteer opportunity that allows you to do so.

5 It Makes you more confident.

An expanded network. Increased knowledge. Improved skills. They all help you to present yourself as a more impressive and well-rounded candidate. And, strolling into an interview feeling qualified and competent? Well, it's a pretty nice boost to your confidence.

Plus, your experiences also give you a few different talking points to answer some of those common interview question. Not only can you provide details on your various skills, but you can also share how you applied them in a real-world setting while simultaneously benefiting your community which makes you look even more amazing.

Yes,volunteering is a great and powerful thing. Not only does it get you off the couch in order to do something positive with your time, but it can also have a pretty huge impact on your career and job search. So, keep these benefits in mind and get out there and do something! You won't regret it.

BY: OLAMIDE

SOURCE: https://mashable.com/