Sara Orellana
By Sara Orellana
Helping clients rewrite their resumes to get the job they want is a passion of mine. Most of the time clients feel as though they are not qualified for the position, but my mantra is “if you never stretch yourself, if you never put yourself out there, you will never know what you are truly capable of doing.” More often than not the job you don’t feel qualified to do is one that will push you to do your absolute best.
Oftentimes I am asked how to showcase abilities and how to advance oneself professionally without going back to school. My answer is through volunteerism. Yes! Volunteering is the best way to learn new skills, practice skills and diversify your resume. If you truly want to master a skill and you do it for free, this demonstrates to your employer your dedication and value.
How else can you leverage volunteering to benefit you? There are a variety of ways, all of which depend on what your ultimate goal. Nonprofit organizations have volunteer boards to oversee the annual planning process, fundraising, and direction of the organization. Serving as a board member is a great way to gain leadership experience, learn new skills, and network. If you are not ready for the commitment of being a board member, find committee positions or projects in which you can help.
Be sure to record your volunteering experience and work on your resume. You will want to list your services just as you list your work experience. Remember that each point should show quantifiable growth created because of your work. Don’t hesitate to ask for letters of recommendation or to use the organization as a reference. Nonprofit organizations love having the opportunity to tell their story to new audiences and will be very grateful for the service you have provided.
If you have recently returned to the workforce and have gaps on your resume, list what you did. If you were a stay at home parent, list it as Home Economist. If you were a caregiver, list it as Specialty Caregiver. Then list what you did. I believe most parents are skilled negotiators, are the best at time management, and are able to work independently. Caregivers are logical, able to function well in a crisis, and can read body language to understand what is truly needed.
Here’s the deal: There is no secret or perfect way to advance your career. If you want to grow in your career, then have that attitude each and every day. Put yourself out there. Volunteer for duties. Strategically place yourself where leadership will see your proficiencies. Your resume should also reflect your capabilities. Have that confident attitude. Dress the part. Own it. When you believe in yourself, others will too.
Sara Orellana, MS, MPH is an independent entrepreneur who specializes in strategic planning, leadership, and grant writing. She can be reached at sara@3raptorconsulting.com.