Volunteering and Networking
You may think you are doing all you can to network, but you might be forgetting one important method.
According to The Muse, volunteering can be one of the best ways to network for a job. This is because, unlike networking events, it's completely natural. While events are still a good thing, they have a formal environment where people are expected to act in a certain way, which can create a sense of detachment. Volunteer projects are much more relaxed, allowing you to meet new people without the pressure that networking events carry.1 Overall, it's easier to build meaningful connections while volunteering1, which is an important part of networking.
While you are volunteering, you can almost guarantee a shared interest between you and other people there because you are all likely interested in the organization or the cause you are volunteering for. Meeting people while working together can be good because you are able to form a bond from your shared volunteer experiences.
In Your Career Area
Volunteering in your career area can be a great thing to do. It lets you help an organization or company and build contacts in your field. It can also be a great place to meet new people with similar interests or backgrounds.
Meeting people is a great way to stay engaged in your field. It is also a way to gain recognition in a field you are potentially interested in. It can help you discover exactly what you're looking for in that field and where your "place" is.1 Also, volunteering can give you some much-needed confidence regarding your field. It will give you something to talk about in interviews and applications; something that demonstrates your qualifications1 Finally, contacts you meet volunteering in your career area may know of an opening that you may be interested in and provide a recommendation.
Outside Your Career Area
Volunteering outside of your career area is another choice. You can build your knowledge in a new area or just volunteer for a cause you care about. You will still likely share interests with other volunteers in these locations. Networking outside of your career area can be helpful because you will meet people from a variety of organizations and companies. These people might know jobs with organizations that may not be in your expected career field but still be a good fit for you.
No matter where you volunteer, you can build relationships with those who are from the group. These people can be great contacts if you need a reference for your resume. They can share how much of an impact you made because they were also a part of it. If you do not have a lot of job experience, these can be valuable references to use because they have seen how you work. After all, they were working alongside you.
It doesn't matter what organization you choose to volunteer with. In the end, it is an opportunity to build long lasting professional relationships.
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