With a national unemployment rate of 7.6 percent it does not come as a surprise that many Americans are having difficulty finding employment. While there has been some job growth in the U.S.in recent years, this growth has been slow and the fact still remains that millions of people are still unemployed or underemployed. How does one find employment in times of economic downturn? This is the question that many individuals are faced with. Fortunately, there are some solutions and one of them is VOLUNTEERING!
Can volunteering really be the key to landing your next job? According to a recent study conducted by the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS), there is a relationship between volunteering and finding employment. CNCS research has found that, in general, volunteering is associated with an increased likelihood of finding employment for volunteers regardless of the person’s gender, age, ethnicity, geographical area, or the job market conditions. Their research has also generated three key findings:
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- People who volunteer are 27 percent more likely to find a job after being out of work than those who don’t volunteer.
- By volunteering, individuals without a high school diploma have a 51 percent higher likelihood of finding employment.
- And, volunteering offers people who reside in rural areas a 55 percent increased chance of becoming employed.
Volunteering is a unique approach to finding employment because it increases a person’s social connections and skill sets, two factors that have been shown to improve employment outcomes. It is also a great way to gain an entrance into an organization where you would like to work.
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Searching for employment can be a full-time job. If you are a job seeker looking to build your social network and gain new career skills, then volunteering is a viable option. There are many volunteer opportunities waiting for you. So why wait? Volunteer Now!
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VolunteerNow! is Volunteer Fairfax's premiere search engine for individuals and groups to use when searching for volunteer opportunities.
