What are your goals for this upcoming year?
Eat better? Exercise more? Better work-life balance? Make a career change or find a new job?
What if you could accomplish two common goals at once: giving back to your community/volunteering, and finding a new job?
Well, guess what? Yes, you can.
In fact, volunteering is a very effective way to transition into a new role. Here’s TIME’s take on the subject:
How to Get a Job Much, Much Faster– TIME, Jan 5, 2015
Varda Konstam, a researcher at UMASS Boston, found that people who volunteered were more likely to find a job, 6 months after the study began.
Just two hours a week made a difference, meaning that participants didn’t have to devote endless hours to social causes.
This study was conducted with young adults, but what if it’s true for older adults as well?
Think of the benefits that volunteering can bring to your job search:
1) an expanded network of people who know your skills
2) new skills, or a chance to mentor others in areas you know well
3) exposure to new careers, new ideas and new ways of doing things, which could lead to a career change
4) self-confidence
5) a possible road to a job with the organization down the road, should you want it
You can find volunteer opportunities on www.idealist.org, or by checking with your network, church, or friends.
So, what’s stopping you? Check off two boxes at once, and help others while helping yourself.