Question For Employers - Voluntary Work
Discussion
I've got a fairly open question to those of you who are in positions to employ graduates.
What importance is attached to voluntary work? I seem to recall someone (not here) mentioning that it is vastly over hyped and is not an issue when deciding between candidates?
I'm on my first year of my LLB course and have picked up some info on the SU Advice Centre who are looking for volunteer to be trained and advise people for 3 hours every week.
I'm aware competition is fierce for training contracts so it may be good for the CV.
It just seems a bit "touchy feely" and I'm not entirely convinced it's something I'd do without it being good for the CV. I already have difficulty fitting in Football with Ju Jitsu, the debating society etc.
That also brings me to another point, how "creative" are people with the truth on their CVs about such things?
What importance is attached to voluntary work? I seem to recall someone (not here) mentioning that it is vastly over hyped and is not an issue when deciding between candidates?
I'm on my first year of my LLB course and have picked up some info on the SU Advice Centre who are looking for volunteer to be trained and advise people for 3 hours every week.
I'm aware competition is fierce for training contracts so it may be good for the CV.
It just seems a bit "touchy feely" and I'm not entirely convinced it's something I'd do without it being good for the CV. I already have difficulty fitting in Football with Ju Jitsu, the debating society etc.
That also brings me to another point, how "creative" are people with the truth on their CVs about such things?
Hi,
What sort of job will you be applying for? And in what kind of company? Voluntary work will show that a candidate is willing and likely to stick a job out (important to an employer) but is no indication of competence (just as important).
Is the work you're planning to do relevant to the job you're going to be applying for?
In my experience, your CV should be presented in as positive a light as possible without blatantly making stuff up. Employers are more interested in your reasons for doing something than they are in what you actually did. Taylor your CV for a particular role or company, highlighting things that that company is looking for. The CV is to get you an interview, nothing more. I won't employ someone on his or her CV but I am more likely to interview them if I like what I see.
If you know the sort if company you want to work for then have a look at their web site and see if you can apply online, if so then work your way through it (without actually applying) to find out what their criteria are.
j.
What sort of job will you be applying for? And in what kind of company? Voluntary work will show that a candidate is willing and likely to stick a job out (important to an employer) but is no indication of competence (just as important).
Is the work you're planning to do relevant to the job you're going to be applying for?
In my experience, your CV should be presented in as positive a light as possible without blatantly making stuff up. Employers are more interested in your reasons for doing something than they are in what you actually did. Taylor your CV for a particular role or company, highlighting things that that company is looking for. The CV is to get you an interview, nothing more. I won't employ someone on his or her CV but I am more likely to interview them if I like what I see.
If you know the sort if company you want to work for then have a look at their web site and see if you can apply online, if so then work your way through it (without actually applying) to find out what their criteria are.
j.
Hi
jo5ha makes some good points, there are some other things I can think of.
I do some interviewing for a "milkround" firm and my fiance is in HR and does some grad recruitment for a big 4 company.
Charity work certainly can't hurt to be on your CV, however you can be smart with what you do.
If you work for a homeless charity and you stand in a soup kitchen doling out soup, this is going to be less attractive on your CV than working for the same charity doing fundraising (not standing in street annoying people) or doing some work in their offices.
You mention that you don't really fit into existing clubs, if you don't have many extra curricular activities on your CV then you do need to get something on there to demonstrate that you have people skills (after all if you will be client facing a firm needs to know you can interact with them well).
One benefit of being involved in a Uni club is that it gives you an opportunity to become a member of the executive. It is definately a good thing to be able to say you were some sort of secretary (e.g. social, fixtures, membership) of a uni club. It is argued that this demonstrates good networking skills and the impetus to do time consuming work outside of uni work. In reality it's bollocks as anyone who held such a position very rarely did much extra (at least, I didnt :0 ) but it impresses the people who perform the initial screening of the CV.
If you have a pretty healthy social life and do a few activities anyway then you should be able ot put out a well rounded CV. If you sit on your arse all day when not in lectures then you are probably not what some of these firms are looking for.
good luck
bga
jo5ha makes some good points, there are some other things I can think of.
I do some interviewing for a "milkround" firm and my fiance is in HR and does some grad recruitment for a big 4 company.
Charity work certainly can't hurt to be on your CV, however you can be smart with what you do.
If you work for a homeless charity and you stand in a soup kitchen doling out soup, this is going to be less attractive on your CV than working for the same charity doing fundraising (not standing in street annoying people) or doing some work in their offices.
You mention that you don't really fit into existing clubs, if you don't have many extra curricular activities on your CV then you do need to get something on there to demonstrate that you have people skills (after all if you will be client facing a firm needs to know you can interact with them well).
One benefit of being involved in a Uni club is that it gives you an opportunity to become a member of the executive. It is definately a good thing to be able to say you were some sort of secretary (e.g. social, fixtures, membership) of a uni club. It is argued that this demonstrates good networking skills and the impetus to do time consuming work outside of uni work. In reality it's bollocks as anyone who held such a position very rarely did much extra (at least, I didnt :0 ) but it impresses the people who perform the initial screening of the CV.
If you have a pretty healthy social life and do a few activities anyway then you should be able ot put out a well rounded CV. If you sit on your arse all day when not in lectures then you are probably not what some of these firms are looking for.
good luck
bga
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