How volunteering increased my job prospects

Many careers these days demand experience before you start - but how are you supposed to get it? Volunteering could be the perfect way to get some good skills and prove your worth, as long as you make sure you get out as much as you're putting in.

"Volunteering for a year was the main reason I was chosen when a position of trainee zoo keeper became available."

Putting in the groundwork

"Many talented young people find themselves up against it when it comes to convincing employers that they are the right person for the job," says Alison Bielecka, from Volunteer Development Scotland. "This is largely because it's not always easy to convince someone of your skills if you can't demonstrate the successful application of them. Volunteer work can open the door to a preferred profession, or even allow new possibilities to be explored."

Lisa-Marie Ward, 18, from Colwyn Bay in Wales volunteered for a year at The Welsh Mountain Zoo through V Involved (formerly Millennium Volunteers) before landing her dream job as a trainee zookeeper. "Volunteering for a year was the main reason I was chosen when a position of trainee keeper became available," she says. "It was hard work – coming in at weekends and any time I had off from college – but it was well worth it."

Improving skills

Most volunteer work will help to develop basic transferable skills, such as teamwork, communication and relationship building. Beyond these, volunteering boosts confidence and could also give you an insight into which career might suit you, as 19-year-old Toni Jones discovered when she decided to volunteer for her local children's services team. "I learnt a lot of skills: finding the materials and listening to how children want to play with them," she explains.

When a job came up in the team, Toni could demonstrate her abilities. "Although there were three other applicants, I got the position," she says. "It was hard volunteering and not being paid, but I would tell other volunteers to stick it out as something good comes out of it at the end."

Making the most of volunteering

If you want to become a nurse, volunteering to dredge your local river might not be the best idea, so keep one eye on your CV and career prospects when picking a project. There are many organisations you can contact, including your local council, who can advise on what is available in your area. Or look online at sites like www.do-it.org.

There's no shame in wanting to get something out of your hard labour for yourself – whether it's a warm glow from helping someone else or new skills to go on your CV – or preferably both. Most importantly, you should never feel exploited. Volunteering England has drawn up a list of volunteer rights and responsibilities that could be useful if you feel you're being taken for a ride. For example, it's your right to be offered training, to receive feedback and to be treated with respect.

Volunteering = slave labour?

If you feel that you're fulfilling your responsibilities but your rights aren't respected, it might be worth having a chat with your manager. Volunteering should never be a miserable experience – remember, you can quit at any time.

It's also important that you get recognition for your hard work. If you're doing the same job as a salaried member of the organisation, there is no reason not to try talking to your manager about the possibility of being paid. If you've started volunteering and feel you're doing a good job, it's worth making a case for getting paid, especially if the organisation is recruiting staff.

Be prepared for a bit of a shock to the system if your dream comes true, though. "The transition between being a volunteer and a full-time member of staff took a bit of time to get used to," says Lisa-Marie. "There's more responsibility because suddenly I had to cover entire sections of the zoo on my own. It was hard work, but if you have a love for what you do it makes it much easier."

By Jack Leather and Emma Rubach

Draw up a list of the skills you want to get out of your volunteer experience.
Do some research into the opportunities available. Do you want to work abroad or in the UK,
Quiz the organisation you're going to work for to make sure they recognise their responsibility to train you and offer feedback.
Draw up a volunteer agreement – here are some samples – or make sure the place you're going to offers this.
Read the Government guidelines to find out about your rights as a volunteer.

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