Jeff Johannigman
People Type Consulting
Jeff Johannigman, founder of People Type Consulting, is an award winning speaker, trainer, and consultant who has helped thousands of people find more fulfilling careers. His career spans a broad spectrum of industries, including software startups, non-profit agencies, universities, and Fortune 50 corporations.
Have a career-related question? Write to Jeff at: jeff@joblessjoe.com
Dear Job Coach Jeff,
One of my friends suggested that, now that I am out of work and “have all this free time”, I could volunteer for a big fund-raising event for her non-profit organization. However, my career consultant told me that I was supposed to consider my job search to be a full-time job. And with all that I have to worry about right now, I just can’t give that much energy to somebody else’s cause. But now I’m starting to reconsider those ideas. What do you think?
Janet W, Denton, OH
Hi Janet!
Your career consultant is right. You should consider your job search to be your full-time job. And spending a few hours each week in a volunteer cause should be part of that job. There are several reasons that volunteering should be an essential part of anybody’s job search:
- It is a great way to network – In a volunteer effort, you meet with people from all walks of life, including senior executives and other very influential people. Volunteering side by side with them puts you on an even basis. After all, you aren’t wearing your job titles when serving soup at the homeless shelter. More importantly, fellow volunteers are MUCH more motivated to help you than the strangers you meet at a “networking event.” They see you as somebody who shares their common cause, and somebody who has several positive personal traits (as proven by your willingness to volunteer for their cause.) Therefore, they are likely to eagerly assist with your search, connecting you to important decision-makers they know.
- It keeps your problems in perspective – If you spend all day sitting at home, worried about the enormity of your problems, not knowing how you will pay this month’s bills, and anxiously awaiting employer calls that never come, you will very quickly feel overwhelmed and depressed. Volunteer work helps to keep your problems in proper perspective. You learn to appreciate the fact that, even though you have challenges of your own, you can help others whose problems are just as imposing as yours, if not more so.
- It builds transferable skills – Volunteer causes give you opportunities to develop and demonstrate valuable skills that you may not have had a chance to use in your old job. Organizing a complex fund-raising event, persuading donors to give generously, and serving the needs of disadvantaged clients all demonstrate transferable leadership and organizational skills that will look good on your resume. It also reassures potential employers that you weren’t sitting at home all day watching “Jerry Springer” or playing “Worlds of Warcraft”.
- It is just the right thing to do – When you were employed, did you ever say to yourself “I’d love to help with that cause, but I just can’t find the time”? Well, guess what? The time has now found you! Remember the basic principal of karma, that what good you give to the world comes back to you. So give of your time and talents generously now, and the rewards will return to you soon enough.
I do hope you take these ideas to heart, Janet, and make volunteering a part of your job search. Good luck!
Sincerely,
Job Coach Jeff
