Last updated on Apr 20, 2024

You’re a volunteer manager looking to change careers. What are the best ways to leverage your skills?

As a volunteer manager, you have developed valuable skills that can help you transition to a new career. Whether you want to pursue a different passion, explore new opportunities, or prepare for retirement, you can leverage your experience and network to achieve your goals. Here are some of the best ways to use your skills as a volunteer manager to change careers.

1 Identify your transferable skills

Volunteer management is not just about coordinating schedules and events. It also involves leadership, communication, problem-solving, budgeting, fundraising, and more. These are transferable skills that can be applied to many different roles and sectors. To identify your transferable skills, review your resume, portfolio, and feedback from your volunteers and stakeholders. Highlight the skills that are relevant to the career you want to pursue and provide concrete examples of how you used them in your volunteer management role.

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2 Update your resume and online profile

Once you have identified your transferable skills, you need to update your resume and online profile to showcase them. Use keywords and phrases that match the job description and industry you are targeting. Highlight your achievements and impact as a volunteer manager, not just your tasks and responsibilities. Use metrics and numbers to quantify your results and demonstrate your value. For example, you can mention how many volunteers you recruited, trained, and supervised, how much money you raised, or how much you improved the satisfaction and retention rates of your volunteers.

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Debbie Haski-Leventhal

Purpose Leader | Inspirational speaker | Best-selling author | Awarded Professor of CSR | MBA Director | TED Speaker
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Some people find it hard to move from volunteer management to other roles. It might be particularly hard to shift to the corporate world. While it's important to list and discuss your transferable skills, it is imperative to find a job that will help you work with your passion. For example, moving into a CSR position can help you still do meaningful work while shifting roles and organisations.

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3 Expand your network and seek referrals

One of the best ways to find new career opportunities is to tap into your existing network and seek referrals. As a volunteer manager, you have likely built strong relationships with your volunteers, colleagues, partners, donors, and beneficiaries. These are people who know your skills, work ethic, and personality, and who can vouch for you or introduce you to potential employers. Reach out to them and let them know about your career goals and interests. Ask them for advice, feedback, or recommendations. Attend networking events, workshops, or webinars related to your desired career field and connect with new contacts.

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Zaid Uddin

Program Coordinator - New Programs @ St. Jude Global
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In my experience, I found networking and consistent communication play a crucial role in securing new position in different area. Volunteer management allows managers to be engaged with people from several industries and consider everyone as your point of referrals. Rest depends on the proper planning before seeking the position. Strategic communication, being up to date with industry and tailoring resume for the position can be extremely helpful in such situations.

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4 Showcase your portfolio and testimonials

Another way to leverage your skills as a volunteer manager is to showcase your portfolio and testimonials. A portfolio is a collection of work samples that demonstrate your skills and achievements in a visual and engaging way. It can include reports, newsletters, flyers, brochures, videos, photos, or websites that you created or contributed to as a volunteer manager. A testimonial is a positive statement from someone who has worked with you or benefited from your work as a volunteer manager. It can be a quote, a video, or a letter that highlights your strengths and impact. You can use your portfolio and testimonials to impress potential employers, clients, or collaborators by sharing them on your online profile, website, or social media.

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5 Explore alternative or flexible work arrangements

If you are not ready to leave your volunteer management role completely, you can explore alternative or flexible work arrangements that allow you to pursue your new career while maintaining your connection with your current organization. For example, you can negotiate a part-time, contract, or freelance position that gives you more time and freedom to explore other opportunities. You can also look for volunteer or pro bono projects that align with your new career interests and help you gain relevant experience and exposure. Alternatively, you can consider a career break or a sabbatical that lets you take some time off from your volunteer management role and focus on your personal or professional development.

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6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

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Margaux Blanchet
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Les savoir-être développés dans le milieu associatif et plus particulièrement sur cette fonction sont recherchées dans le monde du travail; tels que la réactivité, le sens de l'organisation ou de l'adaptation, la prise d'initiative et l'esprit d'analyse. Il faut penser à les valoriser dans vos candidatures.

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You’re a volunteer manager looking to change careers. What are the best ways to leverage your skills?

1

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3

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1 Identify your transferable skills

2 Update your resume and online profile

3 Expand your network and seek referrals

4 Showcase your portfolio and testimonials

5 Explore alternative or flexible work arrangements

6 Here’s what else to consider

Volunteer Management

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You’re a volunteer manager looking to change careers. What are the best ways to leverage your skills?

1

2

3

4

5

6

1 Identify your transferable skills

2 Update your resume and online profile

3 Expand your network and seek referrals

4 Showcase your portfolio and testimonials

5 Explore alternative or flexible work arrangements

6 Here’s what else to consider

Volunteer Management

Rate this article

Thanks for your feedback

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