When you are looking for a job, people will often tell you that volunteering will look good on your CV, but why? What does volunteering in Malawi have to do with an IT job, for example? Well, we at Naturally Africa have improved the job prospects of many people over the years and here’s how:
Volunteering In Africa Looks Better On Your CV Than Nothing At All
Employers hate blank spots on your CV. If you’ve been out of work for a while, doing nothing for long stretches is incredibly harmful as it looks as if you have been lazy or are unwilling to work. We know that isn’t always the case, but you have to make sure that you can fill that time productively and volunteering can be an incredibly useful tool when it comes to solving this problem.
Develop A Network Through The Volunteer Process
You know what they say, it’s not what you know, its who you know. Volunteering is an excellent way of meeting and connecting with new people, people that could help you find work in the future. Networks don’t just develop themselves, however. You need to be smart, proactive and even cheeky when you are building your network and hunting for employment opportunities.
Learn Transferable Work Skills
Teamwork, organisational skills, task management and more. These are the types of skills volunteering can teach you. Whether it is coordinating food supplies or working with a doctor on health visits, you’ll be taking on-board new skills and abilities that you can use later in a working environment.
Learn Dedication and Self-Discipline Thanks To The Demands of Volunteering
To complete tasks and help others, you have to be dedicated, self-disciplined and able to work without financial incentive. This shows employers that you have the ability to manage your own time and work without supervision.
Become Well Rounded Individual
You aren’t going to be putting in your time to help somebody for nothing if you are a nasty piece of work are you? Volunteering is a way of showing you are a kind and caring individual without outright saying it on your CV. While this might not make you any better at a job, a hiring manager is far more likely to hire somebody they think will be easy to work with, rather than a diva.
Are you struggling to find a job? Do you want to see the world and help others at the same time? Not only improving their prospects, but yours as well? Then Naturally Africa Volunteers might be just what you are looking for. Check out our list of on-going projects to see where you might fit in.
