Volunteers stand out from the crowd
MOST employers think volunteering can be just as credible work experience as a paid job, especially for firsttime jobseekers.
SEEK Volunteer research finds 95 per cent of employers believe volunteering can be a great way for jobseekers to gain experience and skills that can be useful to paid work.
They also believe workers already employed can increase their abilities through unpaid work with a not-for-profit organisation.
When volunteering tasks relate directly to a job, 85 per cent of employers believe it is just as credible an experience as paid work, especially for young and first-time jobseekers who do not have a work history in the field to list on their resume.
For example, maintaining a sporting club website may be beneficial for digital media jobseekers, performing handyman tasks useful for those wanting to get a construction apprenticeship, or assisting in the kitchen of a neighbourhood centre helpful for those eager to break into hospitality.
SEEK Volunteer spokeswoman Katrina Hudson says volunteering offers workers and jobseekers new challenges, a new network of peers, and a fresh workspace.
“This research puts hard facts behind what we’ve been saying for years, that volunteering constitutes real work experience, and that it can provide huge benefits for those people looking to not only give back, but also further their professional career,” she says.
“There’s so much competition for jobs that the only way to shortlist applicants is to look at what differentiates them.
“Volunteering experience on a resume or SEEK Profile can be the differentiating factor between candidates.”
Rhys Jones, 19, is a volunteer at Spinal Life Australia.
“I’m in my second year of a dual degree in IT and mathematics at QUT,” he says.
“I really wanted work experience because I want to see what kind of work I want to do.
“It was a good opportunity to get work experience.”