Keeping Busy.....

With the rise in Unemployment has come a corresponding rise in the number of people interested in volunteering their time at various charitable and nonprofit organizations. According to a recent article in the New York Times, organizations like volunteernyc.org, Big Brothers Big Sisters, and even neighborhood soup kitchens have been experiencing a 25 – 30 percent increase in the number of people calling to volunteer their time and services.

Many who run nonprofits have marveled at the sudden flood of ex bankers, advertising copywriters, marketing managers, accountants, project managers (like me), and other professionals looking to do some good, maybe network a little, develop new skills, or simply fill the hours they used to be at the office. These are people that were typically used to working 50, 60 hours a week or more, and then suddenly found themselves with an abundance of time on their hands.

Most of the new volunteers, like myself (I’m volunteering at Recording for the Blind and Dyslexic…I always wanted to do broadcasting and announcing), are still seriously job-hunting. The volunteer work, though, does provide a pleasant and relieving break from the many solitary hours job-hunting in front of the computer screen or on the phone in my basement office with my cats and dog. It also at times can provide some much needed positive reinforcement and encouragement after receiving those “Thanks, but No Thanks” messages from employers, or no responses at all.

Another very positive thing about volunteering, according to many recruiters, is that it fills up those gaps in time on your resume and demonstrates to a prospective employer that you are not simply satisfied to sit around. You want to stay busy and make an impact. So, if at all possible, do volunteer work if you are out of “paid” work, and try to work it onto your resume, especially if you have been out of work for an extended period of time.