Volunteering in Action: The Unexpected Benefits of Giving Back

Photo by Author

When I ask my clients "How often do you volunteer?"... most people's answers generally fall into one of two buckets:

🪣Bucket 1: I volunteer fairly often--I love giving back to my community (or to the world)!
🪣Bucket 2: I don't volunteer, but I wish I did! I don't have time... I don't know where to start... etc.

Volunteering offers so many benefits for all humans, but this is especially true for anyone who has been unemployed for an extended period or perhaps anyone experiencing job loss for the first time.

Based on hundreds of client engagements, thousands of hours of conversation, and countless more hours of personal experience and observation, here are the top benefits of volunteering (if you think I've missed any, please email me to let me know).

Skill development and maintenance:
Volunteering enables us to acquire new skills or maintain existing ones, which can be valuable when seeking future employment opportunities. It helps bridge the otherwise empty gap in our resume and shows potential employers that we have been actively engaged in productive and good-for-the-world activities.

Networking opportunities:
Volunteering exposes us to new people and professionals from various fields, expanding our network. These connections can lead to potential job opportunities, references, or valuable advice for our job search.

Boosting self-esteem and confidence:
Losing a job or being unemployed can take a toll on our self-esteem and confidence. Volunteering provides a sense of purpose, accomplishment, and value, which can help restore our confidence and improve our overall mental well-being. Plus, people who volunteer are often perceived as more attractive. We did not evolve as a civilization by being selfish but rather by being collaborative, helpful, thoughtful creatures who generally care about one another.

Structured routine:
Volunteering can provide a structured routine, similar to a work environment. Having a regular commitment and purpose can help us maintain a sense of normalcy and stability during the challenging period of unemployment.

Exploring new career paths:
Volunteering allows us to explore different industries, roles, and work environments. This exposure can help us identify new career interests or confirm our passion for a particular field, guiding our future job search.

Demonstrating work ethic and commitment:
Volunteering showcases dedication, work ethic, and willingness to contribute to a cause. These qualities are highly valued by employers and can set us apart from other job candidates.

Reducing stress and improving mental health:
Engaging in meaningful activities like volunteering can help reduce stress, anxiety, and feelings of isolation that often accompany unemployment. It provides a positive outlet, a sense of community, and an opportunity to focus on helping others, which can boost our overall mental well-being. If you feel stuck in a career (or life) rut, volunteering shifts the focus from navel-gazing (i.e., away from you) and toward other people. It can be refreshing and liberating in ways you can't imagine when you're busy feeling lost or sorry for yourself.

Giving back feels good, plain and simple.

It's a tool that requires our time and energy but is otherwise free.

How often do you volunteer?
---
Having read all this, what are your thoughts about volunteering? Is all of this obvious? Did you learn anything new about yourself? What are your volunteering goals for the next chapter of your professional or personal life?