Doing Voluntary Work - worth it?

BabyDoll

Hi

I'm asking regarding voluntary work and getting experience. In 2009 I graduated from college with 2 diplomas and during that time I was there, I studied human resources, databases, customer service, web and graphic design and networking. But been told many times, they aren't worth the paper they are written on to employers and they only look for people with experience.

Been trying to look for work for a few years now but often get turned down because I lack experience and being disabled and a wheelchair user, can only do sitting down jobs. Well last week I applied for some voluntary work at the PDSA as a telephonist/receptionist and can volunteer there as long as I want.

I plan on staying there for a least 6 months to a year and then start applying for telephonist/receptionist jobs. Does voluntary work really up your chances of getting hired for a job in the area I am volunteering at? As I've had mixed answers with this, some say you'll get job offers easier because I have experience and then had some try and pursued me I'm wasting my time.

Your honest opinions welcome.

ariba10

Any work experience is better than none.

The best of luck to you.

elsien

Worked for me. I only got as far as doing the volunteer training, before I got an interview in the field I was interested in. I already had the skills they were looking for, but I was taking a pay cut from my previous job to change fields. I had been made redundant, and I think the voluntary work persuaded them it was a serious application rather than me just applying because I was desperate for any job going. I'd recommend it - if nothing else it gives you both practical experience and an up-to-date reference.

[Deleted User]

I tried the Samaritans call handling and found I was put off because I personally once and briefly used the service, so it changed my view, sorry

I like to try think maybe I caught them on a bad day x

symphonies

Absolutely.

I never would have got my paid job if I hadn't volunteered before hand. The experience I gained from that volunteer work led me to a Xmas temp job which then led me to a permanent, full time position in retail.

I have since left and joined a bank. However, the bank wanted to know my job history for the last five years and I'd only been at my paid for for four years so once again, it was useful to have that volunteering experience because that meant, I could put down that that's what I'd been doing for a year before I started working.

There's no such thing as too much experience. Grab all the work experience that you can.

Good luck.

BabyDoll

Deleted%20User wrote: »

I tried the Samaritans call handling and found I was put off because I personally once and briefly used the service, so it changed my view, sorry

I like to try think maybe I caught them on a bad day x

I actually applied to them before the PDSA but only places they had was going out and about collecting which I would struggle on my own and my wheelchair.

iammumtoone

If the only reason you are thinking of doing it, is to help you get a job then I would say it's not for you. If you are thinking of doing it because you want to help the charity and at the same time it will improve your job prospects then give it a go.

I don't think volunteering means what it used to on a cv. There was a time once it was a good thing as it meant that person didn't want to sit around and wanted to do something proactive whilst out of work. Now job seekers are made to volunteer else they get sanctioned. This makes it difficult for employers to distinguish between the two groups of quite different people.

BabyDoll

iammumtoone wrote: »

If the only reason you are thinking of doing it, is to help you get a job then I would say it's not for you. If you are thinking of doing it because you want to help the charity and at the same time it will improve your job prospects then give it a go.

I don't think volunteering means what it used to on a cv. There was a time once it was a good thing as it meant that person didn't want to sit around and wanted to do something proactive whilst out of work. Now job seekers are made to volunteer else they get sanctioned. This makes it difficult for employers to distinguish between the two groups of quite different people.

I chose PDSA for 2 reasons, 1. Used them years ago and always been fantastic and supported them for years and still do and 2. to add to my CV which I talked to the manager about anyway and he's had a few volunteers who's been there for about 2 years and helped them find work.

Because in all honesty, tired of being rejected every time I look for work

iammumtoone

Then I would definitely try it you sound like you would fit in well. It's just in your post you said some people were saying its a waste of your time, I don't see how helping a charity can be seen as a waste of time!

Good luck with it hope it works out well for you

BabyDoll

iammumtoone wrote: »

Then I would definitely try it you sound like you would fit in well. It's just in your post you said some people were saying its a waste of your time, I don't see how helping a charity can be seen as a waste of time!

Good luck with it hope it works out well for you

The one who said it think working for free is a mugs game but that's their opinion obviously.

ohreally

BabyDoll wrote: »

Because in all honesty, tired of being rejected every time I look for work

BabyDoll wrote: »

I studied human resources

Why not consider a BA in human resource management?