Can volunteering in a charity shop lead to a paid job?

tiff

I am meeting a lady from the charity on Thursday as I've applied to be a volunteer in a charity shop.

I do work in a market research type job once a week and also worked in an after school club until July last year when the club closed as there was little demand for after school care.

I need to get out of the house and eventually would like a paid part time position doing admin type work. Would volunteering in the shop help my chances of getting a job like that and would there be opportunities in the charity itself, I have no idea about the set up. TIA

iwill

I started off being a volunteer and enjoyed doing this for a couple of years, then I was approached by another charity shop for a paid position as manageress and as they say the rest is history

Savvy_Sue

It may not lead directly to a job with that charity, they may have policies about whether or not they employ people who have volunteered, but it's all good experience!

tiff

Thanks for your replies. Well hopefully it will lead to a job of some description, better than sitting at home doing nothing waiting for a job to come along!

westendguy

You could maybe try having a look at the do-it dot org website (sorry, cant post link) to see if there are any voluntary admin roles, or to to see what other voluntary work may be available in your area.

Also there is very likely to be a local volunteer centre in your area who would be more than happy to help you further.

NiallB

It worked for me, I volunteered with a well-known charity to get back into 'work-mode' after a couple of years of illness, ten years later I'm a shop manager :-)

It also has the benefit of keeping your skills up to date and looks good on your CV.

tiff

Theres hope for me yet then, not sure I want to wait 10 years but might as well spend the time doing this while waiting for a job to come along, of course you need to apply for a job first lol

NiallB

Not quite ten years to be accurate - was having so much fun volunteering that I stayed for 2 years, then a deputy manager position in our biggest shop came up. I've been running my own shop for 3 :-)

All_things_bright_and_beautiful

I think it shows that you are willing and looks good on your CV

Good luck

tiff

Did my first day today and omg was I kept busy! My feet are killing me but I left there feeling like I've achieved something today plus we had a laugh. I found out the manager was a volunteer in the shop before she got her job and another lady that helped out is actually an assistant manager for another charity chain after volunteering for the shop that I work in, and popped in with her daughter to see us and steam some clothes! Definitely looking forward to next week.

Savvy_Sue

Great news! Next time I'm in a CS shop I shall whistle a moneysaving tune - or do I need a safety pin on view to make myself known? :rotfl: