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I'm a senior in university and I'm currently applying for jobs in hopes of being employed after my graduation in May 2014. However, due to immigration restrictions, I have not been able to work in the United States. Luckily, I just got my employment authorization so I can legally work if I do get a job after graduation. Since I haven't been able to work throughout high school and college, I've done only volunteer work. My parents are quite philanthropic and have always encouraged volunteering for me and my siblings. Throughout high school and college I've volunteered a lot at many places. In my resume I've listed all the volunteer work I've done (and currently am still doing) throughout my undergraduate career.
I am literally new to the job market so the job I'll get will be my first paying job in my life. All my volunteer experience is relevant and quite extensive (some were short-term but most are long-term commitments). Am I an unappealing candidate because I've never had a paying job before? What are the chances of me getting a job solely based on my volunteer experience (even if it's relevant to the job description)?
It depends upon what you did while volunteering. Did you do specific things that could be related to work in the field you are pursuing? Such as planning and executing a specific project. Did you do any administrative work. If you just volunteered to hand out blankets to the homeless, while amazing and wonderful, it's not exactly what employers would be looking for in regards to using your volunteer experience in place of work experience. Does that make sense?
It depends upon what you did while volunteering. Did you do specific things that could be related to work in the field you are pursuing? Such as planning and executing a specific project. Did you do any administrative work. If you just volunteered to hand out blankets to the homeless, while amazing and wonderful, it's not exactly what employers would be looking for in regards to using your volunteer experience in place of work experience. Does that make sense?
Thank you for your answer. All my volunteer work involved specific skills and positions that the jobs I'm looking for are asking. I was just wondering if it makes a difference if the volunteer work was a paid job or not. All the volunteer work I did and still do basically involves responsibilities and skills that people are paid to do. Also, I'm planning on graduating with two bachelor's degrees. Not sure if that makes a big difference or not.
In that field, it is completely normal for much of your experience to be unpaid/volunteer, you might face a hurdle if you are up against others with paid experience, but volunteer work in human services in always considered legitimate. I got my first paid government job in a similar field (mental health crisis work) with volunteer experience oly.
It depends upon what you did while volunteering. Did you do specific things that could be related to work in the field you are pursuing? Such as planning and executing a specific project. Did you do any administrative work. If you just volunteered to hand out blankets to the homeless, while amazing and wonderful, it's not exactly what employers would be looking for in regards to using your volunteer experience in place of work experience. Does that make sense?
I disagree with this. As long as it was something done with consistency, it is perfectly fine to use it as work experience in order to show productivity during a period of time or to cover resume gaps. Especially for a young person with little real professional experience. Flipping burgers for minimum wage isn't any better than handing out blankets just because it is paid.
I disagree with this. As long as it was something done with consistency, it is perfectly fine to use it as work experience in order to show productivity during a period of time or to cover resume gaps. Especially for a young person with little real professional experience. Flipping burgers for minimum wage isn't any better than handing out blankets just because it is paid.
And that wasn't at all what I was saying. Where did I say it wasn't? What my point was is that you need to show what experience you have in volunteering. Anyone can volunteer to help. But volunteering in a more productive and meaningful way is going to tell a Hiring Manager much more than saying you just volunteered a couple of days this one time back in 2011.
And I disagree that flipping burgers for minimum wage isn't any better. Quite frankly, it's on the job EXPERIENCE. Period. It shows you can follow the rules, work in a team, and multitask. What is consistently handing out blankets going to tell me aside from you're a good person and can stick to something?
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