Summarize the following:
at an organization where you can do relevant tasks. Identify organizations where you will be able to use skills you already have and develop new ones that will apply to the type of job you want. Approach finding volunteer work the same way you would look for an internship or a paid job. For example, if you want to work as a community manager, then volunteer at an organization that needs help managing their social media. This will open the pathway to a potential paid job within that organization, or at another organization doing the type of work you are interested in. Integrate with the organization to learn everything about it once you begin volunteering. Read up on the organization, listen to other staff members, and attend meetings to absorb all the information. Treat volunteering just as you would a paid job at any other company. You want to become an integral part of the organization in order to advance your career. Just because you are not getting paid doesn’t mean you can show up less often or work less. Commit to the job you are volunteering for, show up on time, and work hard to demonstrate your value to the organization.  Always let your supervisors know if you will not be able to come to work one day. Make sure you have a valid reason not to show up. Showing that you are dedicated to the volunteer work will demonstrate that you would make a reliable employee. Do your best to make a lasting impression on others at the organization. Look for ways you can help out that aren’t necessarily part of your regular duties, or ways to assist others at the organization and make their jobs easier.  For instance, if you are volunteering as a social media manager, offer to help out with other marketing duties such as blogging or public relations outreach. Even if you don’t turn your volunteer work into a job at that particular organization, going above and beyond what’s expected of you can earn you some valuable references for future job applications. Keep track of all the skills you learn and all of the successes you have during your time as a volunteer. These are facts that you will be able to include on your resume and when discussing job opportunities with the organization or other potential employers.  While you are volunteering, you can keep a document or spreadsheet to track all of your achievements. For example, if you are volunteering as a social media manager, note down how much you grew the company’s social media following during your time as a volunteer. Keep a list of any skills you learned, such as apps or platforms you used to manage social media. Treat networking while you are a volunteer as if it is part of your job description. People you build relationships with can be your advocates later on when you are trying to get a job.  Try to get to know as many people as you can at the organization, even if you don’t work with them. You never know what connections will come in handy down the road. Little things like remembering someone’s birthday or other personal details about them can help you create a deeper connection with people you work with. Add everyone you meet on professional networks such as LinkedIn or on other social media if you feel comfortable with it. Stay in touch with people you are closest to via email or other forms of communication, even after a volunteer position has ended. For example, you could email or otherwise share links to articles you know a particular person would be interested in. This will help people remember you and keep the connections going for when you want to land a job.
Volunteer Learn as much as you can while you are volunteering. Be committed and consistent with your volunteer work. Go above and beyond to exceed the expectations of your role. Track your achievements to show your success as a volunteer. Build as many relationships within the organization as you can. Stay in touch with people you meet and maintain the connections.