For many newcomers to Qu\u00e9bec who I\u2019ve met, the idea of taking a volunteer position is far from their minds. Some people believe that volunteering is a waste of time compared with searching for a paying job, or that volunteering is for retired people looking for something to do. I explain to these people that, in fact, many benefits and opportunities can be gained from taking on a volunteering gig!<\/p>\n
In an effort to move beyond the stereotypes, let\u2019s explore the top six reasons why volunteering is a good idea for job seekers, and newcomers in particular.<\/p>\n
An opportunity to learn about Qu\u00e9bec\u2019s culture<\/strong><\/p>\n Volunteering is an excellent way to immerse yourself in Qu\u00e9bec\u2019s culture and to gain an understanding of its nuances. The more you learn about your new home, the better equipped you will be to adopt a winning attitude and to facilitate your integration.<\/p>\n Here\u2019s an example: I regularly meet women who, as soon as they arrive in Qu\u00e9bec, apply to a master\u2019s program at a local university thinking that this will help them enter the job market. Unfortunately, there\u2019s no guarantee that doing so will lead to a job! Many employers are looking for real-world work experience, something that a master\u2019s degree doesn\u2019t provide.<\/p>\n Celine Gouzon, volunteer coordinator for the Montreal Women\u2019s Center, says that volunteering \u201cis above all else a way to become intimate with a culture and it\u2019s social norms that simply isn\u2019t possible in an academic environment \u2013 an important process that is crucial to a successful professional integration.\u201d<\/p>\n Gouzon adds that \u201cVolunteering also provides the joy of being part of a community with shared values and populated by people of diverse backgrounds. A successful integration is marked by being able to evolve in varied contexts and social groups within the bosom of the society which one is joining; volunteering provides those opportunities.\u201d<\/p>\n Breaking isolation<\/strong><\/p>\n Moving to a new country isn\u2019t easy, and some newcomers find themselves quickly becoming isolated after they arrive. This is another area where volunteering can help: by joining a team of individuals working together with a common goal, you will meet new people and have the chance to participate in interesting projects. Your efforts will be recognized and you will feel a sense of accomplishment and pride \u2013 a positive experience that will help boost your self-esteem.<\/p>\n That\u2019s been my experience with volunteering. My own time with the Montreal Women\u2019s Center helped me to stay positive and prepared me to rejoin the workforce. I met some great people and developed a professional network.<\/p>\n Developing your professional skills<\/strong><\/p>\n Volunteering also provides an opportunity to develop your skills. Perhaps your French is a bit rusty, and you don\u2019t often have opportunities to practice? Seek out a volunteering opportunity where you can practice in a bilingual environment! Immersing yourself can only do you good, and in Montr\u00e9al you have plenty of choices. You could also build your digital or IT skills, or develop your capacity for teamwork \u2013 there are limitless opportunities.<\/p>\n Improving your CV<\/strong><\/p>\n Maybe you already have the skills required to apply for your preferred job, but you\u2019re missing invaluable \u201chands on\u201d experience in the Canadian market. Thankfully, volunteer experience is generally well-regarded and recognized as valuable by many employers. Don\u2019t hesitate to include volunteering work on your CV: for a recruiter, this experience says a lot about you. They can see that you are working hard to integrate yourself and to participate in Qu\u00e9bec society. As well, you demonstrate that you can work as part of a team and that you\u2019re utilizing the skills you acquired in your country of origin. Also keep in mind that your supervisor in your volunteering job can be a reference in the future!<\/p>\n Undertake a new training program or change careers<\/strong><\/p>\n Are you unsure of whether to change careers or go back to school? Volunteering can help you decide. The best way to make an informed decision about such an important step is to confront reality and ask yourself: Do I have the qualities needed to do this job? Is the schedule compatible with my personal life? Do I really need to go back to school to achieve my goals? All these questions and more are easily answered by doing volunteer work in the sector you\u2019re interested in.<\/p>\n Volunteering can help you avoid undertaking long study programs that may not end up meeting your needs, or those of employers. Doing some volunteer work can quickly validate whether or not a field is right for you.<\/p>\n Find a job<\/strong><\/p>\n If you\u2019ve shown your skills to be valuable to an organization and have worked well as part of a team, when a position does become available there\u2019s a good chance that you will be considered! Employers would always rather hire someone who they\u2019re familiar with. That said, I would suggest that you should not have too many expectations in terms of getting a job as a result of your volunteering, and instead just enjoy the volunteering experience as much as possible. There\u2019s no guarantee that a paid position will become available, but the benefits of volunteering are many, and they will serve you well.<\/p>\n Clearly, volunteering is not a waste of time! The experience, despite being unpaid, can help take you places you want to go \u2013 or, with a bit of luck, directly where you want to be.<\/p>\n I\u2019ll leave you with a few tips to get started:<\/strong><\/p>\n 1- Make sure to choose the organization that you will volunteer with wisely; their mission should align with your objectives. Julie, director of educational services at the Montreal Women\u2019s Center, said that \u201cWhen I recruit a new volunteer, I always ask what they expect to get out of the experience, because I want to make sure the arrangement is beneficial for both parties.\u201d<\/p>\n 2- Be strategic: Don\u2019t throw yourself at the first offer, and don\u2019t hesitate to change volunteer jobs if one isn\u2019t working out. Stay open to new challenges and opportunities.<\/p>\n 3- Don\u2019t volunteer full-time: You need to have free time to look for a paying job or to attend training programs or school.<\/p>\n 4- Reach out to specialized volunteer organizations such as Centre d\u2019Action B\u00e9n\u00e9vole de Montr\u00e9al, Acc\u00e8s B\u00e9n\u00e9volat. Ask for advice from your employment counselor.<\/p>\n 5- Finally, persevere! Organizations get many requests from potential volunteers and don\u2019t always respond to inquiries quickly. Try to establish a personal contact at the organization to stand out from the pack.<\/p>\n