Fewer than 8 per cent of the 7 million UK jobseekers’ CVs posted on Indeed refer to volunteering, even though more than half of people in Britain have done some kind of voluntary work.
But candidates’ reluctance about mentioning their voluntary work is at odds with what many employers look for in recruits. A report published revealed that two thirds of business leaders value volunteering experience in a prospective employee, and two out of five recruiters ask candidates about voluntary work.
More than half of recruiters said they would use volunteering experience as a deciding factor when choosing between two candidates. Yet a third of jobseekers said it had never crossed their mind that voluntary work could help with their job search.
The mismatch between employers’ and jobseekers’ attitudes is most acute in the manufacturing and construction sectors, where three quarters of recruiters saw experience of volunteering as an important asset for candidates.
Bill Richards, UK Managing Director at the global job site, Indeed, comments: “Millions of Britons volunteer every year, yet most of them are missing a trick by failing to mention this valuable experience on their CV.
“Employers place great value on the skills that volunteering develops – such as teamwork, confidence and self-motivation – and jobseekers who highlight any voluntary work they have done will give themselves an edge over other candidates.
“As the competition for top talent grows, employers are increasingly moving away from recruiting for specific jobs, instead seeking individuals with the relevant passion and enthusiasm that align with their company culture.
“Volunteering clearly offers big benefits to both the community and the volunteer. But for the jobseeker, it can bring strong career benefits too – by greatly increasing their chances of getting the role they want.”
