Job Search Strategies:

5 Steps to make Volunteerism Work for You

Laura Short, Assistant Director

Trinity University Career Services

How volunteering helps job searchList of benefits

• Builds work experience/skills

• Builds references

• Builds network

• Shows passion

• Improves morale

• Test drives a career

• Puts you on the short list

Steps to leverage volunteerismPut it to work for you

1. Gather your resources

2. Research jobs

3. Research companies

4. Draw comparisons

5. Pull it together

1. Gather your resourcesTo-do list for during and after volunteer activities

• Imagery: photos, video, slideshows

• Writing: blog or journal articles, status updates on social media

• News clips

• Other documentation: thank you notes, certificates of recognition

• Anecdotes: the experiences that sum up transferable skills

Discussion:What are your transferable skills?

Transferable skills sets for job seekers – QuintCareers.com

2. Research jobsFind and dissect job descriptions

• Indeed.com

• LinkedIn Jobs

• GoinGlobal

• Your career services center

Exercise:Analyze key words

Wordle.net – Word cloud app tip

3. Research companiesLearn more about companies that are hiring—causes they fund, volunteer corps

• Company website

• Google alerts

• Follow them on social media

• LinkedIn (who works there)

• Glassdoor.com

Exercise:Personal mission statement / branding

• What is your never-changing purpose?

• How will you make those around you better?

• How can you make you better?

• What change do you want to see in the world? What part do you

play in this change?

• What can you do that no one else can? Hint: What dots can you

connect for an employer? Why should they hire you?

• What will you never do again?

4. Draw comparisonsNote similar words and phrases

• Your personal documentation (blog articles, memories, etc.)

• The job descriptions

• The company descriptions

• Your personal mission statement

Exercise:Use your similarities to develop

• Resume bullet points

• Cover letter examples

• Interview answers

5. Pulling it togetherResume example

5. Pulling it togetherLinkedIn example

5. Pulling it togetherCover letter example

Exercise:STAR method to answering interview questions

• S – Describe the situation.

• T – What was the task that had to be done?

• A – What action did you take?

• R – What were the results?

Steps to leverage volunteerismQuestions?

1. Gather your resources

2. Research jobs

3. Research companies

4. Draw comparisons

5. Pull it together