Volunteer experience means doing some jobs and tasks that help you get real-life experience, and you don't get paid for it. The meaning of volunteer is spending unpaid time for a business, charities, and social communities. The best examples are spending time in child-care, nursing homes, church, charity organizations, etc. Some people become volunteers for a business related to their career to get some experience before landing a paid job.

How to get a Volunteer Experience?

Follow simple steps

You should know what you love to do and what you want to do. Do you want to help older people? Do you like to work for animal welfare? Know this and then move to the next step.

Decide how much time you are ready to give to this experience. The purpose is to add some value but not at the cost of your health. You can't spend the whole day on this task. So, be reasonable.

Approach the organization directly or check online volunteer experience options. You may need some training to start your work.

Every organization will hire you after a background check. Your moral values will be checked, mainly when you apply for a task related to kids.

Once all the verifications and checks are done, you can start your work. That's it.

What are the Benefits of Volunteer Experience?

Here are some advantages that every fresher can avail after becoming a volunteer.

1. Boost in Self Esteem 

When you learn new skills and get experienced in the field, you become confident. You know all about your capabilities and traits. This self-esteem is a must to advance in your career.

2. Skills Learning

As a volunteer, you get an opportunity to learn a variety of skills such as communication, problem-solving, analysis, etc. Some jobs require you to get training like complete know-how of a specific computer program. Once you learn these skills, you can make an impressive resume by listing all those skills. A skillful person is more worthy in the eye of an interviewer than a fresher; always know this.

3. Social Interaction

If your job is related to the computer, you spend half of your day working with a machine. Your life seems robotic as you won't have any person to talk to or share your feelings. As a volunteer, you work for charities and communities. You get a chance to spend time with people and know them better. This social interaction keeps your mind busy, and life becomes less mechanical.

4. Testing Career

If you are unsure whether a career is for you, then the best idea is to start your career as a volunteer. Six to eight months in a field help you understand its various aspects. You would know all about it. This sort of career test clears your doubts and enables you to make the right career move.

5. Stand out from Crowd

Recruiters prefer a candidate with volunteer experience. You may wonder why. It's because that specific person shows passion for work and his enthusiasm for a cause. If he can do this much without money, certainly he can achieve something big when he gets payment. Other candidates in an interview might hold the same degree, but you can stand out from the crowd with the help of this experience.

6. Getting a Reference

You need the best job reference, and when your teacher or priest recommends you, your chances of getting a job become more. Many fresh graduates don't have work experience. It's hard to find a job quickly, so they start working as volunteers to land their first job easily. Read all about personal reference

7. Establishing a Network

You get a chance to meet lots of people in charities, old-aged homes, and other businesses. It's easy to make professional friends in a casual environment and then cash this network later on. 

You can also make friends who can stand by you when you need them the most. This social benefit is advantageous in the long run.Dig into networking tips.

8. Self-Satisfaction

Some volunteer experiences offer you selfless life experiences. You are helping other people in your communities without asking anything in return. The idea that you are wanted in your community, and worthy reduces your anxiety and depression level. This sort of self-satisfaction is essential to have a positive life outlook.

9. No more Boredom

Your job might be stressful, and you don't seek any fun angle in it. You can't skip it, but you can still do what you love as a volunteer. Do you like to spend time with aged people? Become a volunteer in nursing homes.

Feeling bored on job? Know What to do about it.

Do you like to spend time with animals? You can become a volunteer in an animal shelter. 

10. Setting a Life Purpose

Everyone needs some direction and purpose in their lives. When you work as a volunteer, you know that your life matters. Whatever you are doing is making a big difference. Even when you are walking a dog, it is a fulfilling experience. Reading exciting books to kids means you are helping them grow and learn.

11. Improved Cover Letter

Many people don't know what to write in a cover letter with no job experience. I suggest becoming a volunteer for a few months. Next time you write a cover letter, you can dedicate a complete paragraph to your volunteer experience. And trust me, this para will become an anchor of attention.

12. Attractive Resume

Your resume is a key that unlocks a job offer for you.  This key should be well-designed and eye-catching. So, when writing a resume, you can write about your education and work experience, but volunteer experience works like a big plus. It shows your philanthropist side to your recruiter and makes him consider you for an available job position.

13. Eye-Catching Portfolio

Many candidates create a personal website or portfolio. You can share stories and pictures of your volunteer work on your social media pages and websites. When an employer checks your social account or website, he will get impressed by your community work. As you are doing it all without getting any money, this sort of experience is vital to your dedication to society. Employers would prefer your portfolio and give you an interview call right away.