Job searching can feel like a full-time job—except the hours are terrible, the pay is nonexistent, and your “boss” (you) keeps making you refresh your email every five minutes. If you’re tired of waiting for opportunities to come to you, it’s time to switch things up. Enter volunteering and networking—the career hacks that not only boost your resume but also lift your mood (without requiring you to rewrite your cover letter for the 50th time).
The Power of Volunteering
Sure, volunteering is a great way to give back, but let’s be honest—it’s also a genius career move. Here’s why:
Skill Development – Want to add “team leader,” “event planner,” or “professional cat wrangler” (aka volunteer coordinator) to your resume? Many nonprofit roles help you develop skills like leadership, project management, and public speaking—without the pressure of an annual performance review.
Resume Booster – Hiring managers love candidates who take initiative. If you’ve got a gap in your resume, volunteering helps fill that space with real-world experience. Plus, “Saved 300 puppies” looks way better than “Watched 300 episodes of reality TV.”
Career Exploration – Thinking about switching fields? Volunteering gives you a sneak peek into a new industry without quitting your day job (or spending thousands on a new degree). If you’ve ever thought, What if I became a pastry chef?, volunteering at a food pantry might be your test run—minus the tuition.
Expanded Network – Volunteering is like a networking event, but with fewer awkward icebreakers. You’ll meet professionals, mentors, and maybe even someone who knows someone hiring for your dream job. (It’s basically LinkedIn, but with snacks.)
Mood Booster – Let’s be real: job searching can be soul-crushing. Volunteering gives you a sense of purpose, distracts you from rejection emails, and releases those feel-good endorphins. Who knew helping others could double as career therapy?
How to Get Started with Volunteering
Feeling inspired? Here’s how to turn your free time into a career-boosting adventure:
Find a Cause You Care About – Passion makes everything better (even unpaid work). Whether it’s animal rescue, education, or environmental activism, pick something that excites you—so it feels less like work and more like fun.
Check Local & Virtual Opportunities – Can’t leave your couch? No problem. Websites like VolunteerMatch, Idealist, and even LinkedIn list both in-person and virtual volunteer gigs. Helping a nonprofit with social media while wearing pajamas? Sounds like a win.
Use Your Skills (Or Learn New Ones!) – Got accounting chops? Nonprofits need help with budgets. Love graphic design? Charities need marketing materials. Want to practice leadership? Organize a fundraiser. Whatever your talent, there’s a way to use it for good.
Show Up (But on Your Own Schedule) – Volunteering doesn’t mean committing every weekend forever. Whether it’s a one-time event or a few hours a month, any effort counts. Bonus: You control your “work schedule” for once.
High Profile’s Commitment to Giving Back
We’re a company with a heart and believe in the power of giving—because when you help others, you help yourself, too! Through our GoodWorks! Program, we’ve supported over 100 charities since 2008, proving that doing good is always in style.
And since April is National Volunteer Month, there’s no better time to get involved. Whether you’re looking to meet new people, gain valuable experience, or just take a break from job searching, volunteering is a career game-changer.
