Not only is it a great way to help others, but volunteering abroad can also benefit you back home, giving you the skills and resources that you need to help you land your dream job.
Of course, volunteering abroad can be a big commitment, but with programmes such as those offered by Conservation Travel Africa, you’ll have the chance to embark on a life changing experience.
Still weighing up your options? Here are just five ways that volunteering abroad can help improve your career prospects.
1. Help Your CV Stand Out
Depending on the industry you want to work in, you will probably have a lot of competition every time you apply for a position.
Whether you are looking for a professional role, or short term seasonal work, you may find that your CV is very similar to others applying for the same role – particularly if your industry requires a very specific academic path.
However, by volunteering abroad, you’ll be able to help your CV stand out.
2. Learn Transferable Skills
From leadership to communication skills, volunteering abroad can help you to advance valuable talents that employers look for in the staff that they hire.
When taking charge of your gap year or volunteering trip abroad, you’ll need to master organisation to ensure that you have everything in order.
Of course, organisation doesn’t come easy to all of us, but with apps such as Todoist, you’ll be able to enhance your organisation both before you go and while you’re there.
3. Improve Your Confidence
One of the most important things we can do to help not only land our dream job, but help grow our careers, is to demonstrate confidence in our own abilities.
Volunteering abroad will teach you a lot of skills, and one of the most essential ones you’ll improve will be your confidence.
When you work with others and volunteer for projects, you’ll be able to see the benefits of your efforts first hand, and the success of these will show you all the things you have the potential to achieve.
4. Demonstrate Your Initiative
Due to its nature, volunteering is something that we choose to undertake, rather than being mandated by our employer.
Because of this, taking part in volunteering projects abroad can demonstrate to the hiring managers that you are trying to impress that you have the initiative to go off and take charge of your own development.
5. Allows You to Learn a Second Language
Learning a second language can have enormous benefits on your career. It's a valuable skill that allows you to work in companies that rely on regular communication with those in other countries.
When you spend time in a country where English isn't the native language, you’ll be able to improve your language skills. You'll be working alongside local staff, and with other international volunteers, whilst living in a new country and in some locations its doubtful local people will know how to speak English so what better initiative do you need to learn.
If you’re looking to get a head start, consider using a service such as Rosetta Stone to practise before you go. You could also book language courses abroad.
Have you volunteered abroad? Do you think it has helped you to get hired or improved your skills and job prospects? Share your experiences in the comments below!
