Doing Voluntary Work - worth it?

SailorSam

I did over a year with Victim Support and really enjoyed it. When vacancies came-up as proper paid workers the volunteers were best placed to apply for the jobs, they could already do the work and those interviewing them would have known what sort of people they were.
When i first started and went for training i was expecting most of the others to be older, retired, and with time on their hands. But it wasn't like that, many were straight out of Uni and were looking for a career in perhaps the police or social work and they knew the training VS would give them and experience which they'd get to put on their CVs was going to be invaluable.

SailorSam

BabyDoll wrote: »

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.

Victim Support helped me out when i was attacked & stabbed, i said to the women at the time i thought i'd like to do the sort of thing she was doing, but she put me off saying at that time i wasn't in the right frame of mind but should see how i felt in the future. It was a couple of years later i saw them advertising for volunteers and went back then started. So having previous been a 'customer' shouldn't stop them wanting your help.

YORKSHIRELASS

I had some time off work as a carer and did a bit of voluntary work during that time. If nothing else it boosted my confidence massively so that when I applied for a new job I really believed that I could do it. I think this came across in the interview and helped me get the job.

I think there are a lot of benefits to volunteering and I still do it even though I work as well now.

Good luck.

SandraGenJobs

I think doing some volunteering work will not only be beneficial for your portfolio but will also expand your knowledge and your personal work experience. I say go for it.

scooby088

Everyone seems to think volunteering is easy to get into, it's just as hard as getting into paid employment, you have to apply hope that you get an interview, but i am sure it is worth while if you have been unemployed for a while to get something on your cv.

Hillbilly1

I think it's worth it. Especially for a large charity like PDSA. They have a lot of volunteers and an organised scheme for training.

Also their reception is tough work! It will be really good to hve on a CV.

Good luck.

BabyDoll

scooby088 wrote: »

Everyone seems to think volunteering is easy to get into, it's just as hard as getting into paid employment, you have to apply hope that you get an interview, but i am sure it is worth while if you have been unemployed for a while to get something on your cv.

Now that I disagree with, personal opinion getting to be a volunteer isn't hard at all, actually becoming a volunteer at a large and well know charity like PDSA was very easy and they welcomed me with open arms.

Its also seen as a bonus if you're a pet owner (not 100% required though) but since nearly all the staff there own animals, you relate to pet owners better than people who don't have pets.

Did my first day today and loved it! I'm only doing 3 days a week, 4 hours at a time but the manager is fine with that and can stay as long as I want until something comes up there to become a paid employee, are I apply for a job elsewhere.

BabyDoll

Hillbilly1 wrote: »

I think it's worth it. Especially for a large charity like PDSA. They have a lot of volunteers and an organised scheme for training.

Also their reception is tough work! It will be really good to hve on a CV.

Good luck.

I agree its tough, we had a incident today with someone kicking off and had to hand it to a manager, if you're not used to being shouted at to your face, something you have to get used to

DKLS

It worked for me, I volunteered at a day centre at a hospice. I shot video diaries for people there so they could pass on to their kids at various ages.

I don't think I have ever cried so much, but I always value that time as it launched a career and whenever I feel like moaning about the gas bill or something else I always think of one particular lady whose bravery in the face of adversity was astonishing.

phill99

As an employer I would rather take on someone had spent a year in a voluntary roll than sat at home watching Jeremy Kyle and picking their feet.