Volunteer Archives - The Voice of Job Seekers

There Should Be a Job Lab Everywhere

I’m excited to announce my volunteer effort with the “Job Lab” as part of the Aim to Work initiative. The sponsoring group is the Greater Ashburn Community Development Association Corporation (GACDAC) on the Chicago south side. Once a month, I will be facilitating basic job search workshops for free to offer the Ashburn-Gresham community help with basic (but relevant) job search help.

Why a “Job Lab?”

Most cities have a place for free such as Workforce Connection to host workshops for job seekers to get job assistance in various forms. Some people do work but unemployed and can’t make those city programs only available during the day. Also, many do not offer job search strategies relevant and personable to job seekers. The Job Lab (similar to a “Job Club”) will offer support through workshops and networking with members to help anyone who needs it.

Aim to Work

The Aim to Work program is not only helping with job skills, but also with computer skills such as Office Suites. It is a non-profit program looking to expand its accessibility to the community. The organization is also looking for other ways to meet the needs of the community.

In addition to the 3rd Tuesday Job Lab session, I’m hoping we’ll add a monthly or bi-monthly LinkedIn workshop. Everyone needs a LinkedIn profile as it’s essential to have a presence online in 2017 and for years to come. If you’re unfound online, it’s likely an employer will consider any applicant as a serious job candidate.

Much more than Job Lab

In our vision to expand, we will also consider meeting needs with additional workshops, webinars, and group coaching but contingent on growth or participation and resources.

In many cities, this concept was implemented with success to support the job search of many job seekers. Our first session on Tuesday received positive feedback with much engagement from the participants. I was surprised how a few of them were engaged already with good advice including two of the participants having mobile versions of their resume!

The Aim to Work program is working on a website and Facebook page. When published, I will let you know. In the meantime, I am always available to you through the blog and if you’re in Chicago, despite your location, drop by if you need assistance.

About Mark Anthony Dyson

I am the "The Voice of Job Seekers," career consultant, job seeker advocate, career writer, and founder of this award-winning blog. I help the employed, unemployed, underemployed, and under-appreciated find jobs using job search strategies to navigate the new job market. I aim to give a safe place online to those with different needs, cultures, and ethnicities to find their voice in the job market. Thousands have read my career advice throughout the web as I write about everything from job search strategies to the mobile job search. I have published more than 400 articles on this blog and some of the largest career sites such as Recruiter.com, YouTern, and Come Recommended. I've been quoted in major online publications such as Monster, TIME/Money, Fortune, Business Insider and MSN. FlexJobs, JobMonkey, Aerotek, Career Pivot, and CareerSherpa listed my podcast as one of the top podcasts to help your job search. Love for you to sign up for the weekly newsletter. I share the latest articles I've written, new podcast episodes, and answer any questions you may have. The new job search is scary and if you need help, I am here for it!

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How Will Volunteer Work Enhance Your Career

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I think there are enough stories of the web where someone starts out volunteering, and because of the experience it provided a bridge for a new career. Or it enhanced their current career by adding value or inspired them to change from a corporation to a non-profit organization. Antonio Boyd has seen everything in his 20 years in leadership positions with HOPE Worldwide.

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Antonio is the CEO and President of The Think Tank Consulting Group, LLC. It is an international management, development, and public affairs company, specializing in the non-profit, government, and entertainment sectors. Antonio spent most of his career with HOPE worldwide Ltd. His last role as Vice President of Community Outreach, he supervised and trained 10 Headquarters staff, and 125 Volunteer Directors. He was also responsible for the development and deployment of the AmeriCorps and other organizations. Direct and plan implementation and development of the programs for the 240 communities across the United States Canada, and the Caribbean utilizing of 33,031 faith-based volunteers from 157 churches.

His wife encouraged his involvement in volunteer work
People find that volunteer work energizes them and their career
Antonio shared two dynamics in his experience
Millenials desire to do something meaningful—to go change the world
200 college students every summer volunteer to direct volunteer events on campus
Executives often found after volunteering non-profit leadership is more meaningful
Boards are great for the transferable skill, small non-profit boards are likely easier to join
Volunteer work always have needs to fill, most boards need 12
Corporation usually give time to employees to volunteer
You become a “brand ambassador” when volunteering because you represent the company brand
Creates humanity, enhances your understanding of people, adds value
Volunteer work speaks to your character in your high school junior and senior year, adds to your college application
College volunteer work can substantiate and add balance when seeking internships

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About Mark Anthony Dyson

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9 Ways Volunteering Can Shape Your Career

Volunteering is worth time and effort to advance in your career, or transition into a new one. The chance to choose the work environment and the time you wish to invest in your future is very popular and effective.

If you have doubt whether effort is worth it, then consider these reasons to volunteer:

1. Sharpen newly obtained skills

New certifications, diplomas, or degrees can increase benefitting the organization and costing you only time. There are times when the volume of opportunities will make a big difference in the continuing education of the user.

2. Make mistakes and learn from them

You can choose an environment that is slower and will tolerance trials and errors depending on the work. It even helps if you have a mentor who has time to monitor your progress and provide feedback.

3. Time to do something bold

Something you want to try? Volunteering can provide an opportunity to take a calculated risk. See #2.

4. Reveal weaknesses that can be strengthened

In my opinion, that is an element that many people are afraid to get past. We would like to ride out our strengths to the sunset, but the reality: We are afraid to grow and change.

5. Try new approaches to solving old problems

To some degree, everyone has to become a marketer in his or her career. When you change careers, you must market yourself in a way that shows that your old skills and attributes apply to your new career. Additionally, you must try new approaches to old problems. Volunteering provides that platform in a way that is not as costly, except for your time.

6. Build your resume

It has been proven that volunteering can great work experience, especially if you are piloting a new career path. This is a great opportunity for additional references, and to track improvement to show employers your abilities.

7. Networking

You’re not the only one who uses volunteering for the various reasons mentioned. It helps to know someone on the same journey, but not always a similar career path. For many job seekers who volunteer, the networking opportunities are worth the investment of time.

8. International experience

International work experience in any field is impressive and often it brings you new problems to solve. Mostly, it gives you a global perspective that is something that employers look for in candidates.

9. Document your journey for a blog or video

When you take others on your new journey with you, whether a blog or video, or even a training manual, it adds to your credibility. If you ask your place of service if you can video, many times they will say yes. These mdiums can bring recruiters and employers to you if you are willing to promote your blog even a little.