Many employers require at least 1-2 years of experience in a particular field or in a professional work environment before they will “consider” hiring you. I know It’s frustrating! How can you gain any experience if no one will hire you? That’s ok, we’ve got you covered. This is where volunteering comes in.
Volunteering in Canada
You can volunteer with churches, various charities, your children’s or your own school, programs your children or siblings participate in, large and small for-profit or non-profit organizations, your city, and more.
The benefits of volunteering far outweigh the costs. Yes, you’re spending your time working for someone for no pay, and you have responsibilities to take care of. Don’t worry we understand. Trust that there are many benefits to volunteering.
Let’s look at some:
- Networking opportunities – You get to meet new people and develop new relationships which could result in you being connected with potential employers and thus being offered a “paying” job.
- Learn and practice new skills – You will learn new skills that you can add to your resume, and during the interview, you can share the valuable lessons you’ve learned during your time volunteering with potential employers. This knowledge and new skills are also what you will use to do a great job at your new job.
- Positive health outcomes – The American Heart Association shared in an article about the health benefits of volunteering which were discovered in various studies including one published in The Gerontologist in 2015.
- Most Importantly you get to do good things for others. Giving not only benefits you, it also benefits the people you help.
Although your giving creates opportunities for you to receive, your goal should not be to give with the intention of receiving or because you feel forced to. Give because you can, and want to, and good will always come to you. Discover more benefits by reading Indeed’s article Benefits of Volunteering: 10 Reasons to Volunteer and consider finding some volunteer opportunities there too.
Work Experience in Canada
Work experience is the knowledge and skills you would gain from volunteering in a field that either relates to the one you are trying to find a job in, or from another field that you gained transferrable skills from. What are transferrable skills? These are skills that can be used in any role or position you are hired for (or any other aspect of your life). Below is a list of some transferrable skills:
- Communication
- Problem-solving
- Self-control
- Organization
- Active listening
- Conflict resolution
- Planning
- Goal setting
- Budgeting
- Leadership
- Public Speaking
- Prioritization
- Relationship building
- Writing
- Discipline
- Empathy
- Computer skills
- and more…
Work experience also known as Internships can be paid or unpaid and can be done with any organization including through school programs or apprenticeships. Discover more about gaining work experience from Indeed’s article.
Employment in Canada
Most employers in Canada require candidates to have Canadian work experience before considering hiring them. Volunteering or gaining work experience through internships or apprenticeship programs helps you gain the knowledge and skills you need to put together an attractive resume that meets your potential employer’s needs.
Wait a second. Say what now?
That’s right, being hired is not only about us meeting “our own” needs, your potential employer has needs too and they would be hiring you to help them meet them. They must be able to trust you, great employees are the reason great companies grow and stay in business for as long as they do, and for you to make money your employer needs to make money, and that money comes from your employer’s happy and returning customers, which you as the employee will serve in various ways.
How can you stand out to a potential employer
Be a giver and be curious – A great employee is an asset to any organization and remember that assets provide value not take it away, They are eager to learn and contribute by helping their employers make and keep their customers happy, gain new customers, and help improve the company, their products, and services for everyone involved (even their co-workers). Your resume describes to potential employers what value you have to “share” with their organization. And remember, when your employer wins, so do you. Discover more about Looking for jobs in Canada in this detailed post on the Government of Canada’s website.