By Lea Wehbe
Everyone is indeed finding a hard time getting a decent job, and we all know why. The increase of competition in the market and the hit of the economic crisis are affecting the labor market in unimaginable ways. The number of opportunities has decreased drastically the past 4 years and the amount of layoffs has increased leaving hardly any suitable jobs for the newcomers.
If this is happening to you, then you might wonder how to overcome this situation and move on to getting yourself a job! There are several key elements that you must include in your resume that will differentiate you from others, that will place you above the other candidates who are applying to the same vacancy. Sure, a good college degree and mind-blowing internships are indeed important, but no longer have the same value they used to have since most of these experiences are achieved by “wasta”.
Volunteer work is the answer. Whether it is redecorating old schools, mentoring disabled children, or supporting human rights, it will do! Volunteer work shows your future employer the humane side of you – you are not just a number – and it gets your list of skills back up to speed. How does it do so? Suppose you volunteer at a school by tutoring the disabled students there. This shows that you can handle pressure, you have a lot of patience, and you can cope with difficult situations. Working with children is extremely difficult, working with disabled children is both difficult and challenging, so don’t downplay it! Point out these acquired skills in your resume as well as in your interview.
Studies have proven that “volunteer work places new graduates a notch above their fellow classmates”. It also fills the unemployment gap one might have during these economic downturns (whether the person is just starting out, changing careers or returning to work after a long time). Keeping in mind that these social services jobs are not only for the unemployed, they also broaden your social network, giving you good contacts and references that might help you later on. So students, fresh grads, unemployed, and employed, get out there & spare a few hours of your week to VOLUNTEER. Many NGOs are desperately waiting for this help, and it will do you good!
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