Resuming your career after a break, however long or short can be daunting in itself. Volunteering is something you may want to consider, whether you may be looking to give something back to the community or looking to develop new skills or build on existing experience and knowledge.

Here are some great reasons volunteering can really benefit you and can give you the edge on your return to work journey.

Gain up to date experience and skills

Working out what experience you would like to add to your CV will help you to identify the right voluntary opportunities.  The most effective way to gain a job interview or a new job is to show that you have the right experience and confidence to carry out the role. Organisations are often aware of why individuals chose to volunteer. It shows initiative, dedication as well as commitment. Don’t be shy to be upfront of your motives and use it as a stepping-stone on your return to work journey.

Work in an industry that will benefit you in your future career

Charities, not for profit organisations, local voluntary centres offer an array of opportunities so much that choosing the right one can be thought provoking. Volunteering gives you an opportunity to try different types of work to get a taste, which can be really helpful if you are looking for a change in direction.

*Over 70% of employers believe that those who volunteer have a better chance of earning a higher salary and gaining promotion.

*When recruiting, 80% of employers value volunteering on a CV (www.reed.co.uk)

Enhance your job interviews

Some of your work experiences may be from previous roles before your career break. Volunteering gives you a chance to up date those experiences and an opportunity to talk about this during interviews. Your volunteering tells future employers a lot about you: you are motivated, reliable and committed; this is an ideal way to lead the conversation about the key skills and experiences they may be looking for.

Improve your confidence

You’ll learn and do things that you might not normally get the chance to – this can be a real confidence boost. Contributing to a volunteering role can give you a real sense of accomplishment. It gives you a sense of pride and identity. The better you feel about yourself, the more likely you are to have a positive view of your life and future personal or professional goals.

Volunteering doesn’t have to involve a long-term commitment or take a huge amount of time out your day. Work out what you can offer and the specific opportunities that will benefit you in the longer term.

There are numerous volunteer opportunities available (check local websites or volunteering website, Reach). The key is to find a volunteer position that you would enjoy and are capable of doing.  Go for it!