JUST FOR VOLUNTEERS

The Path to a Plum Job

Volunteering offers experience, opportunity to learn skills, and a wide net of contacts that can lead to paid employment.

By Lindsey Pollak

Volunteers often overlook a major benefit of their work with the Girl Scouts: career advancement. If you are seeking a new position, reentering the workforce after an absence, or considering a career change, your Girl Scout experience could be the deciding factor in finding and winning a plum job. Follow these suggestions to make your volunteering work for you.

Volunteering Is Networking

Think of all the adults you interact with through Girl Scouts—other volunteers, parents, staff members, fundraising prospects—who may be potential sources of job leads, career advice, and mentorship. Many of these people would be happy to help a dedicated volunteer find a new position. Share your career ambitions and be sure to ask for very specific help: "Do you know anyone at a major bank who may be looking for a marketing executive?" rather than the vague "Do you know anyone who's hiring?"

Volunteer Your Professional Expertise

If you are looking to refine particular skills in anticipation of a career move, consider volunteering for these specific tasks. For instance, if you are a Public Relations professional, write press releases and build media contacts for your council. If you are a tech pro, offer your services in Web site upkeep or database management. Eager volunteers are rarely turned away, so don't be shy about sharing your talents. Once you establish a record of success, request testimonials or letters of recommendation detailing the professional services you have provided. These will come in handy during your job search.

Be a Leader

In addition to taking on specific tasks tied to your career goals, consider leading an entire project or serving on the board of directors of your local council. Don't wait to be asked—raise your hand for additional responsibilities, committees, strategic planning sessions, and other occasions to be more active and visible. This higher level of involvement exposes you to more people, greater opportunities, and further enhancement of your professional abilities.

Include Volunteer Work on Your Résumé

Many people don't realize you can and should mention volunteer work on your résumé and in job interviews. And, Girl Scout experience translates extremely well into the world of work. Emphasize the skills you've developed that are transferable to the business world such as leadership, marketing, public relations, fundraising, organization, event planning, project management, and budgeting. It's also important to quantify your achievements whenever possible. Explain how large a team of volunteers you've managed or how much money you have raised.

Look Right Under Your Nose

If you love your volunteer work, consider career opportunities with the organizations to which you donate your time and skills. Many not-for-profits, including the Girl Scouts, recruit paid staff members from their own volunteer ranks. In fact, Karen White, GSUSA's Director of Volunteer and Diversity Resource Development, started as a troop leader before landing her first full-time job with the organization. Online listings are the best way to find such opportunities in your area.

Lastly, remember that the happier and more fulfilled you are in your career, the better role model you'll be. Share your successful job search strategies with the girls in your life. Someday they may become your colleagues...or your boss!

Adapted from LEADER, Spring 2004. © Girl Scouts of the United States of America.