Alisa Bondurant’s Post

Many military professionals facing a future exodus from their careers ask me when they should begin their timeline for a new career. Some ask: "Is it a year?" "Is it six months?" My answer is that transition starts the minute you begin military service. Volunteering for organizations such as Rotary, your Knights of Columbus, American Legion, and others like these organizations opens you up to begin networking and finding people to help you during your transition. This Meg Guiseppi post shares a different timeline, but the concept here is clear. Volunteering to help others will help you build a robust group of contacts who can assist in your transition. Do you need a role model or two? I'd start with Chris Cook, Cyber Patriot, Daniel Collins, MBA, PMP, or Steve L Miller. And this begs the question... Who in your community epitomizes volunteers who truly matter?

If you’re not already volunteering (either locally or virtually) for an organization that’s meaningful to you, think about getting involved. Savvy business leaders like you have so much to offer organizations that are a good fit for your talents, skills and sensibilities. And guess what? Along with helping a worthwhile organization, the benefits to you can be immeasurable, whether or not you’re paid for your efforts. Here's just one of the ways volunteering helps you, your personal brand and your job search: Volunteering – whether or not you’re paid – counts as “work”. Steady volunteer work, especially if it’s relevant to the paid work you do, helps fill potential employment gaps in your LinkedIn profile and executive resume. If you suddenly become unemployed, your volunteer work can sidestep potential red flags. When I’m writing LinkedIn profiles, resumes, bios, etc. for my clients, I love it when they tell me they have a deep commitment to their community. Their contributions are especially valuable and compelling in their career bios, a vibrant storytelling vehicle to evidence their “softer” skills, and further differentiate them from their peers. My article details 4 other benefits of volunteering. #Volunteering #PersonalBrand #ExecutiveJobSearch https://lnkd.in/djPzgceW

Volunteer Work Tip: Volunteer to build skills and network. Volunteering is not just about giving back to the community; it's also a powerful way to enhance your skills and expand your professional network. Here’s why and how you should incorporate volunteer work into your career development strategy: 1. Skill Development: + Learn New Skills: Volunteering exposes you to new tasks and responsibilities, helping you develop skills that may not be part of your regular job. + Enhance Existing Skills: Apply and improve your current skills in a different setting, making you more versatile and proficient. 2. Networking Opportunities: + Meet Like-Minded Professionals: Volunteering connects you with people who share similar values and interests, leading to meaningful professional relationships. + Expand Your Network: Build connections with individuals from various fields, which can open doors to new opportunities and collaborations. 3. Resume Enhancement: + Stand Out: Including volunteer work on your resume shows potential employers your commitment to social causes and your ability to manage multiple responsibilities. + Showcase Leadership: Highlight leadership roles or significant contributions in volunteer projects to demonstrate your initiative and teamwork skills. 4. Career Exploration: + Explore Different Fields: Volunteering allows you to explore different industries and roles, helping you identify your passions and career interests. + Gain Insight: Get a better understanding of the challenges and opportunities within various sectors, aiding in informed career decisions. 5. Personal Growth: + Boost Confidence: Taking on new challenges and helping others can significantly boost your confidence and sense of accomplishment. + Develop Empathy: Volunteering fosters empathy and a deeper understanding of diverse communities and their needs. How to Get Started: 1. Identify Your Interests: Choose volunteer opportunities that align with your passions and career goals. 2. Find Opportunities: Look for volunteer positions through websites like VolunteerMatch, local community centers, non-profits, or professional organizations. 3. Commit Regularly: Dedicate consistent time to volunteer work to gain substantial experience and make a lasting impact. By engaging in volunteer activities, you not only contribute to important causes but also enhance your skills, broaden your network, and grow both personally and professionally. Start volunteering today and watch your career and personal fulfillment soar!

Volunteering - A Pathway to Professional  and Personal Development  Volunteering is more than just lending a hand; it’s about building a brighter future for ourselves and our communities. Here’s why so many people choose to volunteer and why you should consider it too:1. Gain Real-Time Work Experience: Many volunteering roles offer opportunities to develop practical skills that directly translate into real-time work experience. From project management to teamwork, every task helps you grow professionally.2. Boost Your CV: Employers value the dedication and skills that come from volunteering. Highlighting your volunteer work on your CV shows that you’re proactive, community-minded, and experienced in handling diverse responsibilities.3. Increase Your Job Prospects: With hands-on experience under your belt, you stand out in the job market. Volunteering can open doors to new career opportunities, giving you a competitive edge over other candidates.4. Build a Network: Volunteering connects you with like-minded individuals and professionals. These connections can lead to valuable references, job leads, and even lifelong friendships.5. Make a Difference: Beyond personal gains, volunteering allows you to contribute positively to society. Your efforts can create lasting change and improve the lives of those around you.Join the movement, make a difference, and boost your career – volunteer today!  #Volunteerism #CommunityImpact #CareerGrowth #ProfessionalDevelopment #Networking #SkillsDevelopment #JobMarket #VolunteerExperience #CareerAdvancement

How can Volunteering contribute to the development of your career? Beyond the satisfaction of helping those in need or supporting your community, volunteering can significantly contribute to your career development. It serves as a pathway to career progression and unlocks new opportunities for personal and professional growth. Here's how: Skill Development: Volunteering offers the chance to develop skills outside your current job or interests. For instance, if you work in healthcare but have a keen interest in communications or digital marketing, volunteering allows you to explore these areas by contributing to relevant projects and refining your skills. Work Experience: Whether you're starting your career or considering a career change, volunteering provides opportunity for valuable work experience. It allows you to explore new terrain, experience different industries, and determine if a particular field really aligns with your interests and goals. Networking Opportunities: Volunteering exposes you to individuals from diverse backgrounds and professions. It enables you to build a network of professional contacts who can support your career advancement. Through intentional relationship-building, you can discover job opportunities, connect with potential employers or clients, and even secure valuable references. Soft Skills Development: Volunteering fosters the development of essential soft skills such as communication, leadership, and teamwork. By engaging in volunteer work, you can practice and refine these skills, becoming a more effective communicator, leader, and team player. These skills are invaluable across various professional settings and enhance your overall employability. Overall, volunteering can be a rewarding and enriching experience that not only benefits the community but also contributes to your personal and professional growth, enhances career prospects, and opens doors to new opportunities. You not only get to make meaningful impact in the world, you also elevate you’re your career journey. #volunteering #careerdevelopment #skillsdevelopment #workexperience #softskills #professionalgrowth #communityimpact #careeropportunities #makeadifference

Are you underestimating the value of your volunteer experiences ❓ Think again ❓ Whether you've spent weekends at a local shelter, organized community events, or contributed to a cause close to your heart, these activities hold immense potential for enhancing your resume and shaping your professional narrative. Here's why leveraging volunteer work on your resume is more important than you might think: 1️⃣ Demonstrates Transferable Skills: Volunteer work isn't just about lending a helping hand; it's an opportunity to develop & showcase a diverse range of skills. From leadership & teamwork to communication & project management, these experiences demonstrate your ability to thrive in various environments, which is invaluable to potential employers. 2️⃣ Reflects Your Values & Passions: Your choice to volunteer reveals insights into your character, values, & interests. Employers increasingly seek candidates who align with their organization's culture & mission. By highlighting your volunteer work, you not only demonstrate your skills but also showcase your commitment to making a positive impact beyond the workplace. 3️⃣ Fills Employment Gaps: If you've had periods of unemployment or career transitions, volunteer work can help bridge those gaps on your resume. It shows that you've remained active, engaged, and committed to personal and professional development during these times, enhancing your overall employability. 4️⃣ Expands Your Network: Volunteering often exposes you to a diverse network of individuals, including professionals from various industries & backgrounds. Leveraging these connections can open doors to new opportunities, whether it's through referrals, mentorship, or potential job leads. 5️⃣ Illustrates Leadership and Initiative: Taking the initiative to volunteer demonstrates your willingness to go above and beyond, showcasing leadership qualities that employers value. Whether you spearheaded a fundraising campaign or led a team of volunteers, these experiences provide tangible examples of your ability to take charge and drive meaningful outcomes. 6️⃣ Differentiates Your Application: In a competitive job market, standing out is essential. Including volunteer work on your resume sets you apart from other candidates by offering a unique perspective on your skills, experiences, and interests. It adds depth to your profile and provides interview talking points that can leave a lasting impression on hiring managers. 7️⃣ Shows Adaptability and Flexibility: Volunteering often involves navigating diverse challenges and working with limited resources. By highlighting your volunteer experiences, you showcase your ability to adapt to new environments, think creatively, and find solutions—an asset in today's ever-evolving workplace. Embrace your volunteer experiences—they could be the key to unlocking new professional opportunities and making a lasting impact on your career journey. #VolunteerWork #ResumeBuilding #ProfessionalDevelopment

Here are some essential do's and don'ts for showcasing your volunteer experience on your resume! First and foremost, let’s celebrate the value of community service! Not only does volunteering enrich your life and the lives of others, but it also reflects your commitment to making a positive impact. It’s a fantastic way to demonstrate your skills, passions, and dedication to teamwork. Plus, it adds a vibrant touch to your resume that can really set you apart! So, let’s dive into how to highlight this important aspect of your experience effectively. Let’s talk about the role of volunteering in your resume! Managers aren’t the big, scary monsters you might think—they truly care about your contributions to the community. However, there’s a fine line: sometimes, the details of your volunteer work can be distracting or feel irrelevant to the job. So, should you include your volunteering experience? Yes, if your volunteer work aligns with the skills and values of the position you’re applying for, it can showcase your character and dedication. But no, if it doesn't directly relate to the role. When it comes to weaving your volunteering experience into your résumé, timing and context are everything! So, when and why would you highlight your volunteer work? If your community service showcases skills relevant to the position—like leadership, teamwork, or problem-solving—definitely bring it up! For example, if you coordinated events or led a team in a nonprofit, that’s gold for demonstrating your initiative and organizational skills. On the flip side, why might you choose to leave it out? If your volunteering doesn’t directly relate to the job you're applying for or if it takes up valuable space that could be better used for more relevant experience, it might be best to skip it. Remember, you want to keep your résumé focused and impactful! Now, where should you place this volunteering experience? There are a few fun options! You can create a separate section titled "Volunteer Experience" to shine a spotlight on your contributions. Alternatively, if your volunteer work aligns closely with the job, consider weaving it into your “Experience” section to highlight its relevance. If it’s more of a casual contribution, adding it at the end in a "Facts" or "Additional Information" section can work too! Ultimately, it’s all about making your résumé a dynamic reflection of who you are and what you can bring to the table—so choose the format that best tells your story! #VolunteerExperience #CivicEngagement #ResumeTips #CareerGrowth #CommunityService #JobSearch #SkillsShowcase #ProfessionalDevelopment #KindnessMatters #MakeADifference #ResumeBuilding #VolunteerWork #JobApplication #SoftSkills #LeadershipSkills #Teamwork #PersonalBranding #CareerAdvice #ImpactfulResume #ServiceToOthers #SocialImpact #CareerJourney #PassionToProfession #ContributeToCommunity #MeaningfulWork #ResumesThatStandOut #WorkplaceSkills #LifeSkills #VolunteeringIsCool

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗿𝗲𝗲 𝗯𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗳𝗶𝘁𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝘃𝗼𝗹𝘂𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 (𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗻𝗼 𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝘁𝗮𝗹𝗸𝘀 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁!) From my experience leading social impact, I've realized that there are three distinct benefits that volunteers gain. Sometimes immediate, but always in the long run. So here goes! 🔎 𝗧𝗵𝗲𝘆 𝗴𝗮𝗶𝗻 𝘃𝗶𝘀𝗶𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝘀𝗲𝗻𝗶𝗼𝗿 𝗺𝗮𝗻𝗮𝗴𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 → 𝗔𝗻𝗱 𝗯𝗲𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗰𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗿 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝘀𝗽𝗲𝗰𝘁𝘀 Volunteering can be THE best networking strategy. Corporate volunteers always get a lot of face time with senior management. Whether at volunteer events or at volunteer appreciation events. Sometimes, volunteer leaders also get the opportunity to direct their bosses 🙂 And there’s no better way for senior leaders to be aware of your leadership, communication and other skills than actually seeing it in action. Higher visibility leads to better opportunities. In fact, recent studies (see comments) show a correlation between volunteerism and better employment, higher wages. 💙 𝗧𝗵𝗲𝘆 𝗻𝗮𝘃𝗶𝗴𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗿𝗲𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽𝘀 𝗯𝗲𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿 → personal + professional. Volunteers befriend or engage people who are often very different from them. Leading a very different life. So, communication is often a challenge - esp at times when they don't even speak the same language! But time and again, I see volunteers finding unique ways to get through. They will find common ground. They will listen fully and listen to understand. So, they can respond to engage, not react. And for language, use Google translate or even simple sign language. 🍕 CHEESE ALERT! Most volunteers end up learning the universal language.: language of the heart! Listening skills, empathy, being responsive and a service mindset ends up always benefitting and enriching them in their personal and professional lives. 💡 𝗧𝗵𝗲𝘆 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗽 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗺𝗮𝗻𝘆, 𝗺𝗮𝗻𝘆 𝗯𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗳𝗶𝘁𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗯𝗲𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗶𝗻 𝗶𝗻𝘀𝗽𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗻𝘆. Remember what they say about being the sum total of people you usually hang out with? This is a version of that. After every volunteer event I come back home, inspired and rejuvenated.  And full of stories. Of the leader who gave up a cushy corporate job to teach children needing additional support, Or the teacher finding the courage to pivot to a career in data and cloud. And more recently, experiencing the joy of a woman (with limited digital skills) learn to use Google Workspace to make kick-a** presentation! And from my vantage point, I get to see the impact of these experiences on volunteers: Makes them open to new ideas and possibilities, see the big picture and the biggest one: develop a positive/growth/learning mindset in the most organic of ways. These are some that I have observed which rarely get talked about. What have you noticed as a benefit to volunteers? #MagicMondays #volunteerism #Volunteeringbenefits Pic: Anandh and Venkatramanan (Venkat) who exemplify all three and more!

Benefits of volunteering during a job search: 1. Skill Development: Volunteering allows you to develop and refine professional skills, especially in areas relevant to your field. For instance, you might improve leadership, project management, or communication abilities. Additionally, you could gain new skills that make you more versatile, which employers highly value. 2. Networking Opportunities: Volunteering connects you with new people and professionals in various industries, potentially leading to job referrals, mentorship, or insights about job openings. The relationships you build can expand your network, often providing valuable connections in fields of interest. 3. Filling Resume Gaps: Gaps in employment can be a red flag to employers, but volunteering demonstrates productivity and a willingness to contribute, even while you are between jobs. It can help showcase that you are proactive, keeping your skills sharp, and continuing to develop professionally during your job search. 4. Improved Confidence and Purpose: Searching for a job can be stressful, and prolonged unemployment can negatively impact your self-esteem. Volunteering provides a sense of purpose, helping to build confidence and offering emotional fulfillment. This positivity can translate into more successful job interviews. 5. Opportunities for Permanent Employment: Volunteering can sometimes lead to a job offer within the organization you're helping. If they see your commitment, skills, and work ethic in action, they may offer a paid position when opportunities arise. Moreover, you can gain firsthand experience in the organization’s culture, helping you assess if it's the right fit. In summary, volunteering during a job search can enhance your skills, expand your network, bridge employment gaps, and potentially lead to job offers—all while providing personal satisfaction and purpose.