Eden Scott’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

𝙇𝙚𝙩'𝙨 𝙩𝙖𝙡𝙠 𝙑𝙊𝙇𝙐𝙉𝙏𝙀𝙀𝙍𝙄𝙉𝙂… Volunteering is one of the best ways to gain job experiences that are relevant for graduate school. A lot of people who have graduated and probably finished the mandatory National Service (Nigeria), sometimes find it difficult to find a good paying job in alignment to their future interest. Some take other jobs that are not in line with what they want but they just do it for the money. I wouldn’t ask you to quit, but I’d ask you to volunteer. Work with a mentor, an organization, or an experienced person as a volunteer. If you’re paid, great; but if not, work cause you’re the one who needs that more than any other person and who knows, you could get an easy access to a quality recommendation letter. The challenge is a lot of people are focused on the money than on the potential advantage of that volunteer service. The mindset is, “if there is no money, count me out.” While I understand you, you wouldn’t be doing yourself a favor. Please volunteer as much as possible for a short or long time. Make sure that the volunteering experience leaves you well knowledgeable. Those are the things that can score you favorable pints when writing your personal statement or statement of purpose. It will also boost your academic CV. Volunteering doesn’t have to be physical, there are also virtual volunteering opportunities, and these days most companies will agree to have you on their team once they know you will add value and they will likely not pay you enough or at all. Yet, you know that you are the one gaining. Learn all you can learn from that experience. Don’t forget that your time is valuable. So commit to volunteering at profitable places. I hope this helps. #internationalstudent #volunteer

Last week I was amazed at the wealth of insight I gained by attending the Catchafire webinar on leveraging skills-based volunteering for career growth facilitated by Sabrina Kinslow, LMSW with Catchafire. The difference between skills-based volunteering and volunteering is that skills-based volunteering is similar or peripherally related to the type of jobs you are seeking. Hence, volunteer projects would require similar competencies to what you would be using in your job. Catchafire offers skills-based projects that can enhance your job search efforts in several ways, including: · Skill development and diversification · Closes potential work gaps · Networking opportunities · Builds your project portfolio · Showcases commitment to social responsibility · Boosts self-esteem · Facilitates current professional references · Demonstrates continuous learning · May lead to paid work Once you have completed your skilled-based volunteering project, here is a good way to present it on your resume: Change header from “WORK EXPERIENCE” to “RELEVANT EXPERIENCE” or just “EXPERIENCE”. Add your project underneath with dates of participation. Indicate your title and that it was a volunteer position. Finally, add bullets that showcase your significant responsibilities and accomplishments. Example: RELEVANT EXPERIENCE Career Coach and Mentor, Upwardly Global, remote               April 2023-current · Coached and mentored immigrants from Afghanistan, Russia, Ukraine, Ecuador, and Singapore in their job search efforts. · Provided customized career coaching services including cover letter and resume updates, LinkedIn profile development, networking guidance, and interview skills coaching. · Helped six clients build confidence and sell themselves on paper, online, and in person until employment was secured. For more information on the benefits of skills-based volunteering and Catchafire, visit their website. https://lnkd.in/gbiJ7x-T #volunteering #jobsearchtip #careeradvice

I was chatting with my friend Farai Munjoma some days ago and we spoke about the idea of doing the boring stuff alongside doing what you enjoy. Sometimes the boring stuff is where you build the rigor, skills, and knowledge. In the early days when I started KLCI, I had be the one to keep accounts, write yearly reports, and grants (which I still do), create surveys, and analyse them. Do volunteer recruitment, prepare budgets, etc but those experiences have helped me in any role I have applied to and I can say that I learned a ton from those seemingly boring admin work. I could also recall that on my earliest day of volunteering, I would write social media content, and capture and write event reports. Work on a baseline survey and just build the rigor for today’s work and it is why sometimes it seems when I get something quickly done today or when I have an idea about a particular area of admin work. Someone is shocked that I do. It is in doing the boring stuff that sometimes you test your resilience and help you build the rigor for future leadership roles or opportunities. I am not saying we should just focus on the boring stuff, however, the balance is what gives us that rigor to harness future opportunities. You may not understand or know why you are doing them now but the future would reward you for it. I am always glad I did those boring stuff because they made the work of the future even more easier. I still do some boring stuff anyway and it is always great to see how it tests my resolve and how I learn through them at the end of the day. N.B: This is not absolute. My seemingly boring stuff could be what someone else enjoys.

Now, it's become a challenge to get people to do the jobs they willingly applied for. When it comes to volunteering, everyone wants to stack up experiences, but the real issue arises when it’s time to actually show up and get the work done. As an event planner organizing a tech event, it's clear that volunteers are essential because it's impossible to pay for every talent we need. However, the challenge often comes with getting volunteers to complete their tasks before the event starts. Many just want to show up for the event and snap pictures for social media. But volunteering isn't just about appearances; it's a valuable way to build and refine your skills outside of your regular job. Here’s what you stand to gain as a volunteer: - Hands-on experience that sharpens your skills - Opportunities to expand your network and connect with industry professionals - A chance to boost your resume and stand out in your field - Personal growth, confidence, and a sense of accomplishment from contributing to something meaningful. Let's bring back the true spirit of volunteering. #LinkedIn, thanks for reading this. 🫶 Worth reposting? ♻️ Repost

It's National Volunteer Week! 🫶 We all start out with no experience, right? But did you ever stop to think about the impressive skills and experience you'd gain from volunteering? By picking up a volunteer job today, you’ll be better positioned to land your dream career tomorrow ✅ Check out our latest blog to learn how to supercharge your resume with volunteer experience! Volunteering Australia (VA) #NVW2024 #NationalVolunteerWeek #volunteer #studentvolunteering #studentresume #SomethingForEveryone

Supercharge Your Resume with Volunteer Experience! 🚀 Starting your career journey can be tough, especially with a blank resume. Volunteering is the perfect way to gain valuable skills, expand your network, and make your resume stand out. Why Volunteer? 🤔 👉 Get Hired: Studies show volunteers are more likely to land jobs and earn higher salaries. 👉 Network with Pros: Connect with professionals who share your interests and can open doors. 👉 Learn New Skills: Gain hands-on experience and develop skills employers value. 👉 Discover Your Passion: Explore different fields and find out what truly excites you. 👉 Impress Employers: Show initiative, passion, and a commitment to making a difference. Ready to get started? Read our full blog below for all the tips and tricks! 👇 #NVW2024 #EarlyCareers #Volunteering #CareerDevelopment #ResumeTips #Australia

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

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