Boost Your Job Search and Increase Your Network: Volunteer!
Layoffs, high unemployment rate, more experienced and competitive candidates in the job market; these were all words that I was hearing back in 2001, when I started my job search process as a fresh HR Master degree graduate. I was discouraged and scared of what the predictions were for my job search. I was spending every day sending resumes, making phone calls and researching the web but with no results. Sitting home and panicking was not going to help me. One morning while I was completing another application, I remembered something that one of my professors said a few months back, “It is easier to find a job when you have a job.”
History repeats itself and we are in a downturn economic cycle again, so I wanted to share from my own experience, how I managed to increase my chances of finding a job that started my professional career when the job market was not favorable.
Having difficulty in finding a job encouraged me to start thinking of new venues that would offer the same opportunities as a job but without the monetary rewards. Who says NO to free workers when budgets are cut and hiring freezes are happening? Besides, I wanted to enhance my professional experience, find a venue to establish new contacts, increase my network, and feel some kind of accomplishment at the end of the day in exchange for the alternative–hours of isolation at home. I switched gears and started inquiring about volunteer opportunities at non-profit organizations while continuing my search for a full-time position.
It was not long before I was offered a volunteer position at Habitat for Humanity in the HR Department working with the Staff and Development Training Manager. Not only I was doing work that was related to my field, but I continued to gain valuable experience and had the opportunity to increase my network with people who could see the direct results of my volunteer work. At the same time, I was giving back to the community and feeling encouraged. Three months later I landed my first real job as a result of volunteering with Habitat for Humanity and a strong referral from people I had worked with.
I strongly encourage you to volunteer while navigating the challenging job market. There are many volunteer opportunities out there, not only with non-profit organizations but also with industry related professional organizations that look for people to take on committee responsibilities or help out with event planning. Your give back to others may end giving back to you in the form of a job!
andreaifekete
never thought about volunteering, which seems to be a good idea rather than waiting at home for a call to interview. This way you can also develop a network which will help you find a good job.