Why Volunteering will put your CV on the top of the pile

Being a volunteer says so much. Just ponder on the word for a moment or two… and it will bring to mind a whole stream of connotations. It suggests that a person is a “good sport”, generous with their time, a hard worker and altruistic. All that, and more, before we even know the details.

Use your experiences when travelling and volunteering on your CV

Top volunteer skills to help boost your job hunt:

Adaptability

Living and working away from home transforms a person. It implies a certain resilience and independence. A person will undergo challenging conditions which they’ll need to resolve, overcome and adapt to. From an employer’s point of view, being mature, resourceful and versatile are valuable assets in any workplace. 

Ability to think out of the box

A person who has not only travelled, but worked and lived alongside locals has the advantage of bringing fresh perspectives and ideas back home with them. Their inspiration stems from unique places, and they view differences as opportunities to learn and grow. It’s almost comparable to doing a crash course in philosophy, begging the question “What is normality?” amongst many many others. These are vital traits for companies that are looking for someone dynamic and creative to join their team.

Cultural sensitivity and understanding

If you spend some time in an environment very different from your home, you not only become more culturally aware and open-minded, but also gain useful insights into the society and way of life that you left behind. Global and multi-national companies will, in particular, be impressed by your ability to respect and work well with people from different cultures and walks of life.

Social skills and networks

Your horizon broadens in ways you cannot imagine when you volunteer abroad. On my eco volunteer trip to Spain, I not only met local volunteers who are equally passionate about the environment, but also collaborated with fellow volunteers I would never have crossed paths with at home or a regular workplace: a digital nomad from Portugal, an electrical engineer from France, the director of a women empowerment organisation in Morocco and a lawyer-turned-permaculture expert now based in Thailand. Having volunteer abroad experiences means you have a wide social network of interesting friends that stretches across the globe. 

Language and practical skills

Imagine applying for a position and being able to back it up with relevant concrete examples from your travels abroad. This will enrich your CV and give it far more weight and credibility. Keep a record of what you learn as this will be invaluable for your CV and future interviews! A person may have great qualifications, but is often unable to demonstrate their conviction for a certain occupation due to lack of experience. You could select a volunteer placement which gives you a more in-depth, hands on knowledge of your ideal career (Workaway has anything ranging from engineering to social work, for example), and country or environment that helps you practise your second language in an immersive setting - which has proven to be the most effective way to learn or improve your language skills!

Strengthened sense of purpose

The decision to volunteer abroad itself is a testament to your eagerness to do something meaningful and make a difference for a cause you care about. Despite cultural and language barriers, lifestyle differences, challenging tasks and other difficulties that arise, you’ve embraced the challenges and taken the initiative to give back out of all the ways you can spend your down time. This sense of mission can be a reflection of your attitude in tackling tasks, leading and supporting projects, sharing ideas, and bringing a proactive, positive mindset to the workplace.

Willingness to contribute

Those who choose to spend their time on charitable or community projects are communicating a sense of integrity, selflessness and commitment to a worthwhile cause. Try to expand on what motivated you to collaborate, how you managed to help and what the response was. If you worked as part of a team or relating with people, include that in your CV too. Let’s face it, who wouldn’t want to have such a “good-natured team player” to keep you company at work?

Make your CV stand out

• Collect at least 2 positive feedback from your Workaway hosts
• Print out your personal Workaway Reference Letter from your account page
• Show off all your achievements in these alternative “workplaces” as a supporting document to your CV or resume!

Volunteering is the magic word which will say all that for you- try it and see!