Volunteering 'makes candidates more employable'
30/01/2012 16:44
Companies are increasingly recognising that volunteering makes candidates more employable in a market with strong competition for job vacancies. Recent research conducted by Zurich, one of the world's largest insurance groups, found that 55 per cent of Brits undertook at least one voluntary activity in 2011.
Of these, around a quarter did so for individual benefits, such as to advance their career.
Paul Emery, head of community and social organisation at Zurich, said this group, dubbed 'you-gooders', are looking to develop their network, meet new people and cultivate new skills and were the largest group of all those who undertook voluntary work.
"People are recognising that volunteering does have a dual benefit, because it does have a positive impact on the people or cause you're trying to support, but it helps you as well, to develop your skills in a way that can only help in terms of your future career and job aspiration," he explained.
Volunteering can prove particularly beneficial for those who are out of employment or looking to change professions, as it offers a chance for people to develop new skills and use voluntary work as a "pathway to work".
Mr Emery said that while there is no "hard and fast role" on how people view volunteering on a CV it suggests a willingness for people to "put a bit more into their lives and support other people", which is viewed positively by employers.
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Posted by Elena Vasquez
