Voluntary work

​Benefits of voluntary work

Developing skills

Regardless of the type of work you are looking for employers are looking for a range of skills that can be developed and illustrated through voluntary positions.  

Soft skills include:

• team working
• problem solving
• communication
• timekeeping  
• ability to use your initiative

Industry specific skills include:

• administration
• I.T.
• language
• technical

Trying out a career area that interests you

Volunteering is a good way of testing out a potential career option. For example:

• joining St John Ambulance, learning first aid and how to deal with casualties will give you an insight and add to your CV if you are considering going into a health related career
• volunteering for Radio Lions at the General Hospital is ideal if you are interested in broadcast journalism
• being a ‘befriender’ for an organisation such as Autism Jersey will introduce you to people with differing needs; this also demonstrates that you are able to appreciate and respond to diversity within society

Building contacts with potential future employers

Voluntary work is a great opportunity to meet and demonstrate your skills to employers who may have paid vacancies in the future. 

Positive use of time

If you are unemployed, committing to voluntary work can give you a sense of purpose and demonstrate to potential employers that you are using your time productively.

Finding the right volunteering post

Before approaching organisations regarding voluntary work, you should begin by considering many of the same points that you would when applying for paid work. These include: 

• do you prefer to work alone or as part of a team?
• are you more suited to working behind the scenes or do you prefer to take a more visible role?
• how much time can you commit?
• how much responsibility are you ready to take on?
• what skills can you bring to a volunteer job?
• what causes are important to you?

Local opportunities

For more information on local volunteering opportunities, see the Jersey Association of Charities website and volunteer.je website.