Is volunteering a good way back into work?

[Dappy777]

I have a long gap on my CV, but am hoping to get back into paid work of some kind. Instead of going for interviews and trying to explain that long gap, I'm chewing over volunteering. Over the years, I've heard people say it's a great way back into paid work – you volunteer and then, hopefully, someone asks you to stay. Is this true, or are they talking nonsense? Has anyone else tried this, and if so, what kind of volunteering did you do?

I wouldn't go in expecting that a foot in the door will get you a paid gig at the same charity but it is a great way to start exercising your work skills and vocab so you are more work, and interview ready.

What sort of role are you hoping to eventually get?

YES i did it for 6 months then got a job. It shows you are serious in doing whatever it is you want to do

I think it's a bit optimistic to hope it will directly lead to a job specifically where you are volunteering as there are too many variables. They might not have a paid role available, they might feel they've got it made in having someone do it for free, they might want to keep a clear boundary between roles for volunteers and employees. However as a general way to refresh skills and have something recent to put on your CV (and a reference) it's a great idea.

Do your research though to make sure you're going to get what you want from it, some organisations have great volunteer management, others are really poor.

Well, it definitely worked for me. Twice!

The first time, I was a trailing spouse and wanted to get back to work (adult education) after a career break. I volunteered with a tutoring programme that then asked if anyone was willing to do some TA work in the classroom (still unpaid). I said yes. I introduced myself to the facility manager at the end of shift and said it was great to be back in the classroom again. She asked if I was a teacher, I said yes, and she asked for my CV. I got the job that hadn’t been widely advertised yet.

That job led to me volunteering my skills with a group of uni students who set up a charity. A couple of years on (and more time out of the workforce due to new baby), they recruited me to take the first paid position within the charity. It is only part time but I love the work and the schedule suits me very well.

Both times, I was just open to and enthusiastic about new experiences.

Good luck.

Yes, it gains you current experience on your CV and makes you less of an unknown risk to prospective employers. I have volunteered to gain skills and experience several times. The most recent time was actually just to keep myself occupied while recovering from surgery but I ended up going from charity shop volunteer, to paid sales assistant, to charity shop manager within 6 months.

I wouldn't expect volunteering to turn into a paid position at that particular organisation. But it gives you up-to-date references and work experience. Gives you more confidence if it's taken a knock during being out of the world of work.

There's nothing to lose by giving it a shot. Much like it being easier to get a new job when already working it'll be easier if volunteering rather than not.

I don't think people suggest volunteering is likely to lead into a paid job at the same organisation.
The point of volunteering is giving you opportunities to talk about how you managed situations / are used to being public facing / used a particular software to achieve something / managed people / manage your time / able to work with others in a team / at another level, even just that you are able to get up and get in to work each day.

It depends on the role. I have done various volunteer roles throughout my life, and although it has always been done purely for its own purpose and reward, some could have yielded paid positions if I wanted them (they would all be a pay cut so I haven't pursued it).
Currently, I volunteer in a local school listening to DCs read, which is a good 'in' for a TA position, which in turn can quickly grow into an offer to do teaching training and a position as a class teacher (a friend recently used this route in). I am also a volunteer sports coach. The club have paid for my qualifications which can be used to do the same job in a paid position for other organisations. Both are very different to my day job, although that too was started off by expressing a strong interest to a small business owner, being offered 2 weeks' work experience as an opportunity to see if it really was something I still enjoyed after living the reality (and rain!), then quite unexpectedly being offered an apprenticeship off the back of the work experience going well.

I would say regardless of if the role directly secures a paid position, volunteering is really beneficial. It gets you up-to-date work experience and references, can demonstrate flexible and adaptable skills, does wonders for your confidence and, if you're really lucky, may leave you with new qualifications that lead to a paid job elsewhere. It is also very emotionally rewarding too, of course!

I've known a couple of people who've gone from hospital volunteering to paid HCP roles.

I volunteered as company secretary for a small local charity: that would never have got me a paid role with that particular charity but it would have glammed up my cv if I'd needed it - lots of transferable skills for an office job.