Volunteer Service . . . A Door-Opening Opportunity.Serving With A Non-Profit or Trade Organization to Make ContactsIf you are an executive in transition you should already know "the 90% Solution." It means that you have the greatest chance of finding a new position through personal referral or recommendation. This has always been true, but too many people don't recognize how true it really is. Regardless of how strong your personal network is, here is something to consider. There are literally thousands of professional and trade associations across the U.S. Many of them have local affiliates that, like all non-profit organizations, struggle constantly with the workload versus the staff and budget available. They may desperately need your talents. If you can identify a couple of key organizations in your field – perhaps you are already a member of one or more – you can provide valuable volunteer service to them in marketing, conference registration, programs or whatever. In so doing, you will automatically expand your high-velocity network by a factor of ten or more. You will be coming in direct contact with the key people in your field.
Keep Your Professional Skills Sharp . . . While Making Important Contacts.There’s another benefit to volunteer service that may even be more helpful. You will be working in a “professional capacity” which adds to your Accomplishments Library, keeps up your spirits and adds to your self esteem. And this will show every time you meet someone or go on an interview. You will come across as more important, more positive and more competent (vs. being desperate or “needy”) both in person and on the telephone and you will have more people to talk to about what you are looking for in the next stage in your career. If you are strategic in your selection of an organization to work with, it will provide you with a rationale for contacting the people who can help you in your Professional Job Search as well as benefit the organization. In some cases, you may be given the opportunity of generating some interim income from booking new memberships . . . but, that's a plus. Trade & Professional Associations vs. Non-Profit AgenciesWhere do you start? As with most research projects, the local library is your best source . . . but, that assumes you have neglected your industry networking opportunities over the past year or two. If you already belong to an industry association, you should consider starting there.Once you identify who the Executive Director is or who is in charge of the upcoming meetings (all listed in directories such as The Columbia Publishing Co.’s National Trade and Professional Association or State and Regional Associations directories), you are in a position to make telephone calls, get direct referrals in your area, set appointments and generally start adding to your referral network. It’s Networking on Steroids!An important point to keep in mind when considering volunteer service is the Savvy Networker’s axiom . . . “Ask first what you can do for others and they will reciprocate!” (Yes, it’s a variation on the Golden Rule again. There must be some reason it’s found in every major religion.) It’s also possible that you will be able to take advantage of the organization's office facilities, giving you a place to “go to work” (getting you out of the house) as well as adding to your professional comfort level.Return from Volunteer Service to Interim Income. Return to Job Search Training home page. |
