Movin' On Up

Jobs After Jail

More than 650,000 people in the U.S. are released from prison every year. After serving their time, they face many obstacles including finding a job. Many who have served time struggle finding employment because of their criminal record. Even an arrest for a felony not resulting in a conviction stays on record and can cause trouble for someone who wants to start their career.

It can feel like those trying to enter the job market after serving time are constantly being re-punished. It may be a challenge, but it’s a challenge you can overcome. Here are some tips on how to pick yourself back up, build up confidence, and re-enter the job market.

Understand Your Current Situation

It’s important to know what options are available in your job search. Before you start looking for a job, take the time to research what jobs are open to you. You might not be eligible for some jobs due to statutory prohibitions.

For instance, if a job requires earning a license, some felonies or convictions disqualify you from getting those licenses and therefore disqualifies you from jobs like being teachers, physicians, real estate agents, or attorneys. Another example would be if you were, if being on parole or probation resulting from a drug-related crime, it’s possible that you may not be allowed to work in a pharmacy.

Take the time to consult with administrators related to your case like a counselor, judge, or parole officer to help you make an informed decision on what direction to take your job search.

Bottoms Up

It’s a hard truth, but you might have to take a job starting at the bottom of the barrel. On the bright side, the only place to go is up.

If offered a low paying job, ask if there are opportunities for pay increases after proving your value to the company. With some hard work and after developing leadership skills, you can eventually earn a higher pay rate. After several months of earning experience, you can start looking for something better. But, try to stay with the same employer for as long as possible. It helps strengthen your résumé and makes you look reliable to potential employers.

Out in the Open

Your gut instinct might be to hide your criminal record, but you should learn how to honestly discuss it with potential employers. On job applications, when you get to the section asking if you have been convicted of a crime, consider putting “please let me discuss this with you when we meet,” after checking the “yes” option.

Work on confidently getting the point across in interviews that you have paid your debt, put that part of your life behind you, and are working to become a better person. It’s not easy, but you are a different person. With lots of practice, you can build self-confidence and prove that you have taken responsibility for your actions and are ready to move on.

You’re Not Alone

Don’t underestimate the benefits of going to a staffing agency. Not only will the staffing company be helpful in finding long-term employment, but choosing to go with temporary jobs can help build valuable skills to help make you more marketable to employers.

Look into your community programs. Some offer training programs that, upon finishing certain requirements, may guarantee interviews with local companies. Talk to social service workers, counselors, or probation officers to see what options are available in your area.

There are several online resources for you to take advantage of when looking for work after serving time. Try visiting the Legal Action Center, National H.I.R.E. Network, Project Footprints, and The Women’s Prison Association to help connect with others, information, and helpful resources that can help you make a career after prison.

Warning Signs an Employer May Not be For You

Job competition in the market is still high. The economy is slowly recovering, but there still aren’t as many jobs available as there were a decade ago. But just because the competition is tough, it doesn’t mean you should take the first job offer you receive. It’s okay to pass on a potential employee if you don’t think it’s the right company.

There are several companies out there willing to take advantage of the increased amount of people looking for work. That’s why it’s important to research a potential employer, not only to prepare your résumé and interview readiness, but also to make sure the organization is a good fit. Here are some warning signs to steer clear of a job offer.

Hiring Process is a “Rough Road”

If you are having an interview and you get the impression that you might not enjoy the environment or culture of the workplace, you should pay attention. Notice how well you communicate and interact with your interviewer, especially if the interviewer will be your supervisor. If you have trouble seeing eye to eye or getting your point across with your interviewer, it could improve over time, but it may be something to consider before accepting a job offer.

You “Stop” Asking Questions

When it comes to interviewing, it’s always good to ask specific questions to get a better understanding of your employer, while helping you look prepared and engaged. But if you feel like your potential employer is being reluctant to answer your questions, it should be a warning sign. Some employers may feel like a position isn’t attractive to job candidates and could try to sidestep or obscure certain specifics.

Your Paperwork is “Under Construction”

If you are offered a job, but the employer doesn’t provide you with any written information or a contract to sign, you should be cautious. If you receive a legitimate offer, it should be in writing. Some companies are struggling and may offer verbal contracts in hopes of renegotiating it later. If you have your job description on paper, it could help keep your job from being altered to the organization’s desire. The more that is in writing, the more there can be to protect you.

It’s a “Speed Zone”

If you feel an employer is too quick to offer, you may want to consider passing. Being too eager to hire new employees could be a sign that the company has lots of turnover, which could mean the company isn’t being handled well or the work environment isn’t friendly.

Your Pay and Benefits Take a Huge “Dip”

You may feel like the salary you desire is out the question because of the recovering economy,  but if a potential employer is asking you to work for a very low-ball salary, it should be a big warning sign. If you’re not making the money you feel you deserve, you will probably be miserable at work.

If you have some experience, be careful of accepting a position that’s too far below your most recent position. It will be very difficult to get back to the higher positions, and when looking for a new job, employers will look at your résumé and wonder why you accepted such a low-level position. It will look better if you take less pay, but keep your title in the same range.

Just because the job competition is stiff, that doesn’t mean you should jump at every job offered to you. If you keep these warning signs in mind, you’ll be able to avoid the bad apples and find an employer that’s right for you.

4 Ways to Background Check a Potential Employer

All right, super-sleuths. You sent a strong résumé, and the employer has called you for an interview. What do you do now? It’s almost certain the prospective company is already starting to research who you are and what you’re like outside of work, so it’s just as important that you thoroughly background check them too.

Even with slow economic conditions, choosing the right employer is imperative because you will be relying on them for continuous employment, a steady paycheck, and challenging work to help you develop and grow your skills.

Where do you start? Where do you go other than the main website? What do you look for? Don’t fear, job gumshoes, the Movin’ On Up Detective Agency will help you hit the street, put the finger on available sources, and get the information you need so you can put the screws on your potential employer and get hired.

Direct Approach

Even with the internet giving you more information at your disposal than ever before, some of the best information can be gathered on foot.

Bigger companies or nonprofits generally have an abundance of pamphlets, fliers, and other sources of information available at the front desk if requested. You’d be surprised how many organizations don’t put many details on their websites. Smaller companies and nonprofits are harder to find information for and can require outside sources.

Another old-fashioned way of finding information is through public resources like libraries.  Many public libraries subscribe to databases that aren’t generally available to the public, and those can open up riches of information on companies and non-profits. If you aren’t sure where to look, ask one of the librarians for assistance.

Online Sources

You should be finding out if your employer is a public or private organization. If it’s public, you can use all the sources from the library at your disposal, but if it’s a smaller, private organization, you’ll have to try different methods.

If you don’t have access to a college library and your public library is lacking, there are several websites out there to help you gather intel on potential employers.

Try looking for their new products and services, potential mergers, and their general financial future. Also, look into what their competition is doing to see how the employer is separating itself. Try using websites like Vault or GlassDoor to get general information and opinions on your potential employer.

Social Media Savvy

If you can’t find information on the organization’s website, try looking on their Facebook or Twitter pages. Many times, a company’s social media site will not only have more company information, but will have contact information for you to call or email if you feel like you need more data.

It’s also a good idea to check out the potential employer’s blog as well. This will give great insight to their feel, identity, what it’s about, and what’s important to it. Seeing what is on the company’s mind will give you some topics to discuss when you interview.

Man on the Inside

If you’ve graduated from college, don’t underestimate the value of your school’s alumni association. Try finding out if any of your school’s alumni work for your potential employer and see if they can give you any insight into the company, how the hiring went, and any other useful information they can give. Also, try looking at your LinkedIn connection levels to see if you have connections with anyone associated with that particular company.

If you don’t have access to any graduates or contacts from inside the company, you can always make connections by calling them to find out more information. Try calling the HR department or any recruiters to get more information or promotional material. Start conversing with them, and see if you can get any extra tidbits that aren’t listed in the promotional material.

You may feel like you’re behind the eight ball when it comes to giving your potential employer an up-and-down, but with these helpful hints, you’ll be ready for anything the employer can throw at you. What are some ways you have learned more about a potential company?

Job Hunting for the Shy and Introverted: Networking

The outgoing and extroverted population dominates U.S. society. While various studies show different numbers, introverts in America average about 25%. Businesses are run on relationships and trying to find a job on your own can be difficult because employers tend to hire those they trust instead of taking a risk with a relative stranger. Just because you’re intimidated by the prospect of interacting with large groups of strangers or find long periods of small talk exhausting doesn’t mean you have to be at a disadvantage at finding a job. Here are some helpful hints to better understand yourself and use your strengths as a shy or introverted person to connect with others.

There’s a Difference

There is a difference between being shy and being introverted. Shyness is the fear, discomfort, or awkwardness experienced when a person is near, approaching, or being approached by other people. Introversion is a matter of energy. An introvert internalizes and processes everything around them in greater detail than extroverts, so social activities and busy schedules can greatly drain introverts. There are many different degrees and types of shyness and introversion. To many, these traits can appear to overlap, but they require different approaches when it comes to networking.

There’s a Time

For introverts, time management is key, because you shouldn’t treat networking like a marathon. Know what time of day you feel most energetic and upbeat, and schedule your networking interactions around that time of day. If you are going to a meeting or social event with several people, clear out time before and after the event to keep your energy levels up. Try relaxing on your favorite couch and listening to music, or visiting a quiet museum that’s nearby after the job fair.

For the shy person, being ready to boost confidence is crucial. Practice your elevator pitch, develop talking points, or practice with others so you can feel confident meeting with others or going to an event. Planning ahead of time will let you go at your own pace and help you move out of your comfort zone with ease.

There’s a Place

Where you choose to network can make a big impact on your networking success. For those with a more extreme case of introversion, consider making small, intimate encounters with individuals of interest instead of trying to meet as many people as you can at a seminar. It’s about making a few solid relationships and avoid thinking you have to connect with everybody. If you’re going to an event, show up early before crowds arrive to help manage your energy. This will help you meet and get to know individuals instead of trying to mingle your way into a small group or conversation.

For the shy job seeker, make a list of professionals, influencers, and peers who you feel would be great sources during your job search. Next, list them in order of difficulty to meet outside your comfort zone. When prepared and ready, you can slowly work your way from the easiest to hardest. You’ll realize most people in your desired profession enjoy helping others and are flattered when someone is interested in them and their job.

If shy job seekers attend group events, it may seem impossible to approach a circle of people talking and force yourself into that conversation. Try going around the direct method by asking the host or organizer to introduce you to people. If you know someone you’d like to speak to is attending an event, contact him or her ahead of time. If you can, bring a friend with you to the events so you can have a sense of comfort and familiarity, and someone who can encourage you to meet others.

There’s an Advantage

Whether you’re shy, introverted, or both, you have an advantage when interacting with people: listening. Use your listening talents to engage others in conversation and identify their needs. You’ll be surprised how many of the fast talking, super outgoing extroverts you meet love having someone who will just listen to them. Your listening and loyalty to their conversation can help build relationships faster.  You can then find commonalities to later follow up with to keep the relationship going.

There is nothing wrong with if you prefer to spend a quiet night curled up with a book and music. You have a long list of skills and talents that are valuable and needed at the workplace. If you are shy or introverted, let me know in the comments. I’d love to hear your perspective when looking for a job.

Women’s Work Attire That Never Goes Out of Style

In a previous post, we discussed traditional styles of men’s work attire that have stood the test of time. They are still some of the best ways to make a good first impression when interviewing and working with colleagues. This post will highlight some professional styles for women that never lose their elegance and look good too.

Some may consider business fashion more difficult for women because of the constantly changing trends and styles available to them, but it’s surprising to know that when it comes to classic attire that is timeless and still means business, women’s fashion is very similar to men’s.

That Suit Looks Like a Lady

If you’re looking for classic, then go with wearing the skirt suit. Skirt suits are considered to be the best option when interviewing or showing for a very professional look. If you absolutely loathe wearing skirts and pantyhose, check with your employer’s dress code before wearing a pantsuit. While some organizations may allow them, more traditional companies won’t because pantsuits are still considered less formal.

Just like men’s suits, going with dark brown, gray, or navy will give you a professional, confident look without bringing attention to yourself. Blouses should remain a light color, but avoid low cut or revealing shirts. If you want to accessorize, consider wearing a softly colored scarf. If you have to question yourself about a color being appropriate, go ahead and choose a different color.  While it may be fun to mix and match your colors, having a matching suit is preferred.

Don’t Skimp on the Skirt

The hemlines of your skirt should be mid-knee length or longer. Miniskirts are not only inappropriate, but they also send the message that you’re not serious. When wearing longer skirts, avoid wearing ones with deep slits at the sides, back, or front.

Sometimes the constant struggle with wearing pantyhose can lead many women to consider pantyhose their worst enemy. But, full-length pantyhose should be worn with a business suit.  Natural skin tone colors are best, but you can wear colored hose as long as they stay opaque and don’t look like tights. As far as classic shoes, you can wear some with a pattern, but keep them the same color as your suit.

Don’t be an Accessory to a Fashion Crime

When it comes to attire in the workplace, less is more. Accessories and jewelry should be kept to a minimum. Try to limit yourself to about four accessories with earrings counting as one. Over accessorizing can bring a lot of unwanted attention to yourself, instead of wanted attention to your work. Earrings should be modest, including a stud-type or small hoops, and not dangly. All jewelry should be conservative to enhance your suit, and should not be distracting or flashy.

Makeup should appear natural. Avoid using overly dark or bright eye shadow and lipstick. It’s best to save your creative or stylish makeup routines for outside of work activities. While nails should be clean and manicured at a decent length, avoid using bright or decorated polish. No one wants to shake hands with Freddy Krueger. If you want to wear perfume, keep it light, but try avoiding using it at all.

Wearing traditional business attire doesn’t have to be rocket science or boring. If you follow our easy guides on appropriate business attire that never goes out of style, you’d be surprised how effective ditching the latest trends for the classic look will be for your career. What are some fashion tips you think should be included on this list?

3 Tips for Taking a Job Search on the Road

If it’s time to move your job search to a new city, there are a few things you can do to make it easier and more effective. 

Choose a City
Is the move to expand your job network or are you moving for personal reasons? If you’re moving for career opportunities take some time to research your options before focusing on a particular city. Use online resources to your advantage, running job searches for your specific position in particular cities to see what type of prospects are available and to review compensation ranges. Check out the city’s chamber of commerce or economic development council websites for media clips on job creation and business growth, cost of living information, and relocation tips. It’s important to understand what your job is worth in that market and if there is a demand for your talent. 

CareerBuilder offers CareerRelocate.com, a tool that allows you to search career skill demands, and conduct a salary conversion based on local standards of living. You can conduct a keyword or category search for specific career skills to find where low and high demands are across the U.S. The tool also allows you to enter your current salary and city, and compare how much you would need to make in a different city to maintain your standard of living.

Use a Network
Once you’ve narrowed your choices down where you are going to search for a job, it’s time to build a local network. Thanks to local networking groups on LinkedIn or sites like Brazen Careerist, you can make connections with local individuals and learn more about the job market in that city. The best way to start interacting is to contribute information or past experiences to the questions posted within a group forum. For example, if someone is asking for advice on different types of software, respond with relevant advice regarding your experience. Try responding to a blog post or feature article with your own advice or insights. Another great way to connect is to attend in-person networking events sponsored by online network sites. Taking a trip to your new city before you actually move can also help speed up the job search in the new market by allowing you to gain some local contacts.

Another option is to work with a local staffing agency to uncover job opportunities. Staffing firms have a good pulse on the local job market and have established connections with employers that may help land you an interview. Also reach out to any friends or family you have in the area to let them know you’ll be job searching in their market. Send a copy of your résumé attached to an email explaining when you’ll be moving to town, a summary of your top skills, and what type of work you would like to do. Make sure to update your own social media profiles with information about your search for employment in a specific city and when you’ll be available. 

Get Local
Channel your inner-detective to uncover potential employers and positions. You’ll want to start your job search before you move to town by researching open positions and building local connections, but the best thing you can do is to visit the city you’ve chosen. Once you’re in town spend some time exploring the area and make sure to have a few contact cards or copies of your résumé handy when you do so. One way to get a feel for the local job market is to visit an area coffee shop early in the morning, ask the wait staff where people around that area work and what they know about the larger employers. Also, try visiting restaurants around the lunch or during happy hour that are located near an employer you are targeting for employment. You may be able to strike up a conversation with someone who can help connect you to local open jobs. If you haven’t moved yet, make sure to schedule your trip to your new city when a local networking event or job fair is taking place. You may also consider taking a class at the local technology or vo-tech school to brush up on your skills. This will give you access to their career center and allow you to meet others working in your industry.

In short, it may seem easier to look for a job where you currently live, but opening up your job search may allow you to discover the career opportunity you’ve been working toward. With the networking power unleashed within social media, the world seems smaller every day. Now may be the perfect time to get outside your boundaries and take your job search on the road. 

 

By Rachel Rudisill

New Ways to Make the Most out of a Career Fair

During the job search, one avenue to consider is attending job fairs. Generally, job fairs are events where several businesses will send representatives to display information and potential job openings for their company. This gives them the opportunity to screen several potential candidates at once. 

While there are no hard statistics on the effectiveness of job fairs, some job seekers are feeling that  career fairs  are becoming more futile because they are generally overcrowded, show fewer job openings from companies, and are a maze where applicants get lost in the shuffle. Many job seekers don’t realize, job fairs should be one tool in your big toolbox of strategies when looking for work. With these strategies, you can stand out and make the most of your career fair venture. 

There’s Background to be Found
Before suiting up and heading to the fair, take some time to look at the companies that are scheduled to attend. Identify the ones you would prefer to work for, and do some research about the company. By researching the businesses, you can ask more focused questions about how you can help the company and show the representatives you are genuinely interested in working for them. This will help you stand out from the crowd and be remembered.

Knowing more about the company will also help you tailor your résumé to fit the language and style of the employers you are interested in. Try making at least two copies for every booth you plan to visit along with several others just in case there is a variable like finding a new company that registered when you got there.

A Little Strategy Here and There
To get the most out of a job fair, don’t treat it like a museum. You won’t be able to get much accomplished if you go just to see the sights and hope to stumble upon an opportunity. Study a map of the event and decide which booth or company you would like to visit first. Create a list of alternates to have back-up booths to visit in case one line becomes too long.

Now is your chance to provide a 30 second elevator pitch to representatives and ask your focused questions. If you want to warm up, take a few minutes to talk to a company you really aren’t interested in. This allows you to hone your approach and build confidence before meeting your top prospects. You need to be flexible for impromptu interviews, form filling, or other unexpected twists, and your strategy needs to reflect that. 

Don’t Just Look, Listen
Even though a company you were interested in doesn’t have any available openings, it isn’t the end of your search. It’s your chance to find out the company’s biggest needs. You’ll get a better concept of what is going on inside the company, and it will give you the upper hand in case the new contact in the company you are talking to learns of an opening.

This is also a good opportunity to meet and network with fellow job seekers.  Many different people from different industries and specialties are looking for work. Building relationships with fellow job seekers can lead to sharing of information about job leads, companies, and their recruiting strategies and styles.

Card Them
When you’re finished talking or interviewing with recruiters or representatives of the company, ask for their business cards. Many people forget about the power of the thank you and the follow up. If you want to make a memorable impression, follow up with a polite phone call or email a few days after to thank them for the talk.

To stay fresh in their minds, keep in touch with these contacts to wish them happy holidays, for special occasions, or to forward a relevant industry article or congratulate on a company milestone. This way you’ll be remembered when they hear a job opening that could be great for you. Do you have any success stories about job fairs? What do you find most effective when attending?

What to Eat Before Acing Your Interview

You are ready and primed for your big interview. You have everything prepared and are confident in your ability to market yourself and make a good impression. But when it comes to having a meal before the big occasion, what do you eat? It’s best not to drink cola or coffee before an interview to avoid spilling a colored drink on your attire. But, what should you eat for breakfast or lunch to help keep you focused and alert when meeting your potential employer? 

Knowing what to eat for top performance is just as important for an interview as it is for an athletic event. Just as athletes know what to eat and what to avoid on a daily basis and what to eat before their big activity, so should you know what to eat and what to avoid before your big interview. Think of your interview from a body perspective and consider these helpful hints to keep you top notch for your big day.

Stop Stress and Annihilate Anxiety
Sometimes we feel nervous about an upcoming interview, and the stress and anxiety can affect your performance. An excellent way to combat stress early in the morning is by eating some nuts or yogurt. A study published in the European Journal of Nutrition measured the effects milk fermented with yogurt had on the immune system of subjects under stressful academic examinations.  The conclusion was that those eating yogurt had half as much anxiety according to measurements of stress hormones in their bloodstream than those without. You can start your morning calmed and centered by including some yogurt, nuts like almonds or cashews, or granola in your breakfast.

With the fast-paced lifestyle most live today, we can feel the stress of rushed deadlines and nonstop schedules. This can lead to grabbing the first, quickest, and easiest foods to eat before leaving the house. This doesn’t mean you have to be rushing out to your car with a bottle of nuts in your hand or a spoon of yogurt in your mouth, but Fitness Magazine recommends eating certain foods in moderation an hour before your interview can have strong benefits. Eating lean protein like fish, chicken, low-fat cottage cheese, an egg-white omelet and a slice of whole-grain bread or brown rice, or a cup of fruits or vegetables are known to help you be calm, collected, and sharp.

Problem-Solving Power
It’s expected that you’ll be asked questions you might not be ready for and may need time to figure out. Such problem-solving skills will require your brain to be ready and able to think outside the box. In order to help your brain with these processes, try adding some fruits to your de-stressing yogurt to give you an antioxidant boost. The Online Education Database recommends eating foods that have antioxidants to help improve focus, problem-solving skills, and memory. Antioxidants are commonly found in fruits and vegetables, but they can also be found in certain green teas and beans.  Healthy, fatty meats like fish can help increase blood flow in the brain. Don’t forget that monosaturated fat in avocados will help increase your brain power also. But most importantly, no matter when your interview is, don’t skip breakfast. It’s the meal that kick starts your brain to work throughout the day.

Turn Your Mind into a Think Tank
It’s important to eat foods throughout the day that will help brain function and enhance performance. WebMD recommends foods with omega-3 essential fatty acids like salmon, foods high in vitamin E, like nuts and legumes. Peanut and almond butter may also help increase brain function. WebMD also suggests eating avocado, which will help with healthy blood flow and brain health. Other mind meals include oatmeal, brown rice, wheat germ, dark chocolate, pomegranate juice, breads, and freshly brewed tea. The Mayo Clinic recommends putting flax into your diet since it is one of the best sources of alphalinoleic, which is a healthy fat that enhances the performance of the cerebral cortex—where your brain processes sensory information.

If you want memory boosting power, include vitamins B6, B12, and folic acid, which help increase red blood cells that clear your head and improve your sense of happiness. You can find B vitamins in whole grains like brown rice, as well as broccoli, parsley, cauliflower, and brussels sprouts.

Diet can have a big impact on your performance. Many times we don’t think about it and, stopping to eat a proper meal can become a hindrance on our day. But if you follow some basic nutritional advice, you can be better fitted when looking for a job.

Do You Have Big Career Plans in 2012? Take Our Poll

Giving a Helping Hand with Holiday Volunteering Can Give Back to You

With the holiday season in full swing, you may be busy getting all of your holiday planning together with seeing family, taking extra days off from work, and gift buying. What may not be on your mind is volunteering. With several charities and nonprofits needing extra help with holiday festivities and programs, the need for volunteers increases. Donating money will always be a welcome gift to any charity, but if money is tight and not in your budget, consider donating time for a cause you believe in.

It’s commonly known that volunteering has several benefits when looking for a job, but what you might not realize is that volunteering through work or while employed can have several benefits you may not realize. Here are some ways volunteering your time during the holidays can help your career while helping your community.

Stress Relief

More workers are feeling stressed at work than ever before. With sluggish hiring trends in the U.S., employees generally have to deal with more responsibilities without the help of co-workers and even more when employees go on vacation. Stress is notorious for being a health issue, but being stressed out the entire time is going to affect your productivity too.

You could release stress with a vacation or spa day, but even small vacations and simple spas can be expensive and take time to plan, which could add to the stress you’re trying to get rid of. However, you can relieve tension by volunteering your time and efforts. There’s something about the feeling you get from helping others. It allows you to release endorphins and you end up feeling as if you’ve just had a vacation, except you haven’t had to pay a penny for it.

Sharpen Your Skills

Earlier this year, a survey was conducted by the University of California San Diego Extension's Center for Global Volunteer Service where respondents showed that volunteering was beneficial for developing important skills in the workplace. 73% of respondents who had volunteered said it helped in their development as a leader at work, 61% reported it helped with their creativity and resourcefulness, and 73% felt it increased their intercultural awareness and sensitivity.  

No matter who you volunteer for or what task you have agreed to do, there is a learning experience if you’re willing to put in the time and effort. Many local charities don’t have the resources to hire people, so look for opportunities to donate your job skills when volunteering. Not only will you practice your craft and skill, but you’re also helping out a worthwhile cause. 

Can’t Get No Satisfaction

When you’re stuck in the daily grind, sometimes it’s hard to stay positive about your company or position.  During the holiday season, it can be even harder when there’s extra work to be done, but not extra time to do it. Taking the time to volunteer will help you recharge your batteries and learn to appreciate your employer as a whole, especially if you can find holiday volunteer opportunities through your company.

Deloitte, an audit, financial advisory, tax, and consulting firm, published a volunteer impact survey this year. Deloitte found that 55% of employees who frequently participate in a company’s sponsored volunteer activities are likely to rate their corporate culture as very positive, compared with 36% of employees who don’t volunteer.

We all know volunteering is the right thing to do, but sometimes giving our time costs more than donating money. We often don’t think about the benefits that can come from offering a little time and energy. What kind of success stories have you had when volunteering through your employer or on your own?