Unpaid Volunteer Work Leading to Paid Work - Your Experience?

hvert · Jun 29, 2016 at 05:27 PM

Hi,

Another post on this board made me think about this. Have you found paid work (full time, part time, contract, whatever) as a result of unpaid volunteer work?

I took a few years off and did a lot of unpaid volunteer work. I wanted to have something to do, meet new people, etc. I also thought that it might lead to some paid work at some point. I wasn't actively looking for paid work but wanted to keep my hand in things.

My name was certainly passed around as someone who could help with IT and web projects ... as a volunteer. I landed one paid gig through a contact I made while volunteering, but had many, many requests for free work.

Have other people had more luck getting a job this route? It seems like it should work in theory, but maybe if people know you are willing to do work for free, they don't want to pay you?

Yzen · Jun 30, 2016 at 08:43 PM

I worked for free to build up skills in a job area I wanted to work. It helped me learn and practice the new skills and I put it on my resume. It helped me to land paid freelancing work with another company, so it did benefit me.

If you are gaining new skills and experience, it seems valuable. My concern would be that if you are seen as a volunteer and 'unpaid', it might be difficult to get paid work from those clients that know you. You would have to find new clients.

Strive4health · Jul 01, 2016 at 01:01 PM

What I did was used volunteer work as evidence that I was learning new skills, using my time wisely, and building up a professional network. I didn't approach volunteering as "oh this unpaid will work lead to a paid job." I think anyone would be very disappointed because things don't always work out that way. The company you're volunteering for might not have a paid position available, and I think it's a good idea to use that time to branch out and meet people.

To me hvert, it sounds like people are knowledgeable about your professional skills, but they aren't willing to give you an actual job and pay you. I don't think that's acceptable. I think it would be a good idea for you to rebrand yourself somehow through your netwoking, and make it clear you want paid positions.

The_little_didgee · Jul 02, 2016 at 08:43 PM

When I started my training I wasn't getting paid. I asked my teacher if he could teach me the trade I now work in. He agreed. At first he wasn't sure what to make of me but decided to give me a chance. He started paying me once he saw my abilities. Others who work in the same profession have noticed my work and have offered me employment.

I decided that offering to work for free would be a good way to get into the trade and test if I "have it or not". It proved to be the right choice.

hvert · Jul 05, 2016 at 05:23 AM

This seems like it can be a good path for some people! It's interesting to me that success seems to follow those who volunteer specifically in order to improve career related skills. I was careful to avoid doing unpaid professional work (with a couple of exceptions). Too burnt out with the career at that point to do it for money, never mind for free!

nonightowl · Jul 08, 2016 at 02:36 PM

I think it's the "luck of the draw." I've never been this lucky.

No organization I volunteered at ever hired me, even one I was volunteering at for YEARS.

It's a THEORY. Like anything else, some people are lucky and others are not. Nothing is certain in this life.

People who have no work experience at all, even volunteering, can get jobs at times.

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hvert Grand Magnate Member Since Jan 2014 Location: US Posts: 4,888 10 3,790 hugs given	Jul 05, 2016 at 05:23 AM #5 This seems like it can be a good path for some people! It's interesting to me that success seems to follow those who volunteer specifically in order to improve career related skills. I was careful to avoid doing unpaid professional work (with a couple of exceptions). Too burnt out with the career at that point to do it for money, never mind for free!
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