Boost Your Career with Volunteer Work

You probably know all the standard ways to try and boost your career - ask for promotions, attend job-related seminars and classes, get extra certifications in your field, and network at trade shows and conferences. But there's another way you can improve your chances of climbing the corporate ladder - and do something good for your fellow human beings.

These days, a huge variety of volunteer work is available to anyone who wants to devote a little time to a charitable cause. Spending an hour or so a week in the service of others can make us feel warm and fuzzy inside, but it can also help us land a promotion or new job! Here's how:

Showcase your talents: Use your volunteer position as a chance to showcase your talents. If you're a bookkeeper, for example, volunteer to be the organization's Treasurer. Perhaps you're a writer or artist. Use your talents in the charity's newsletter or magazine. Whatever your skills, you can show them off to the world - and potential employers - as you volunteer for a good cause.

Develop new skills: Can't find a position within the charity that really works for your skills? Try something completely different! If you don't have a lot of computer skills, for example, volunteer to do some office work. Need to brush up on your event planning skills? Offer to help with a fundraising event. You'll walk away from the experience with a new set of talents and skills that could help you get a promotion or move to a different department.

Make contacts: If you really want to use your volunteer work as an opportunity to make contacts in your industry, choose an organization that's closely related to your line of work. For example, writers may want to volunteer with their local library. Artists may want to join their local arts council or organization. And social workers may want to volunteer their time with organizations like Big Brothers and Big Sisters. By choosing a charity that's closely related to your profession, you're more likely to network with people who can help you advance your career.