How volunteering could win you your dream role

Volunteering experience is no longer seen as a nice add-on, but increasingly as a valuable asset when it comes to job applications. Including these roles on your application can set you apart from other shortlisted trainees and, as a result, should be placed towards the top of your work experience section.

‘Taking part in charity work is an insightful and rewarding experience at the time and will also prove beneficial further down the line,’ says Lee Owen, director at Hays specialising in Accountancy and Finance.

‘A candidate who has spent time volunteering, and mentions this on their CV, shows a willingness to give back and act on their values. Charity work also enables a candidate to gain new skills and contacts, which could be transferable to the role they are applying for.

‘Aside from the importance of demonstrating an applicant’s suitability for a role, CVs that illustrate who the candidate is as a person, how well they will fit into the organisation’s culture and why they will be a positive addition to the team will stand out to employers.’

Development

Not only will volunteer work help boost your CV, it will also help your personal development. It can give you the chance to learn new skills in areas outside of your comfort zone, while dealing with a wider variety of people will be beneficial for your interpersonal and relationship building skills.

In the short term, volunteering also offers opportunities to develop personal and professional relationships. Meeting and connecting with people in this environment can be a great way to build lasting relationships and boost your network of contacts.

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Volunteering can also present opportunities to expand professional skill sets in a way that differs from the usual avenues, and afford experiences you may not ordinarily have expected to have.

Promotion

Employers often state that volunteering can lead to paid jobs, while many also rate volunteering on CVs above hobbies. It is often the case that trainees who have volunteered in the past gain higher salaries and more opportunities for promotion.

Owen adds: ‘If you are applying for a new role, it is important to take the relevant expertise you have gained from your volunteer work and include these in the skills section at the top of your CV.

‘That way, if you are invited to an interview, you will be able to provide a variety of different examples to outline your top skills. Hiring managers consider volunteering as a valuable advantage when recruiting. It shows that you are proactive, driven and enthusiastic to develop your skills.’

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More information

Did you know...? You can also use experience gained from voluntary work towards completing ACCA’s practical experience requirement (PER) if your time in the role was spent on activities and tasks related to accounting, finance, audit and assurance, or in other related technical areas such as taxation, insolvency and forensic accounting. Find out more about PER

This article was first published in Student Accountant in June 2023 | Get the SA app now