‘Tis the Season to Search: Volunteering

It’s easy to fall into the mindset that no one’s hiring during the holidays. People put their job search on hold with grand ideas of jumping back in when the New Year gets going. However, this couldn’t be further from the truth. At many companies, business does slow down, but that just means that hiring managers and HR have more time to focus on hiring.

There are several things you can do during this time to help you find a job, including volunteering, taking seasonal jobs and attending holiday parties. This week, we’ll focus on volunteering and how it can help.

• Natural networking booster – If you’re out and about volunteering with different organizations, you’re bound to meet and get to know new people who could aid you in your job search.
• Develop new skills – The things you do when volunteering are absolutely applicable when applying for real jobs. You’re not necessarily getting credit for being a stand up citizen; you’re getting credit for the things you’ve already been trained how to do.
• A chance at leadership – Volunteering often gives people the opportunity to step up as leaders if they want to. You might not automatically get this chance in your career, but having leadership experience can go a long way.
• Fill in the gaps – If you’ve been looking for a job for a while, potential employers will be happy to see that instead of sitting around at home every day, you’ve been out contributing to society.

The holidays provide many opportunities for volunteering. Meals on Wheels services, senior care homes, hospitals, orphanages, homeless shelters, food banks and more all tend to be busier as they try to make the season special for everyone. Whether you deliver or serve meals, bake treats, help with decorations or collect canned goods, get out there and do something good for the community and your job hunt this holiday season.

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