Should I volunteer?

Question

Im having a really hard time finding a job, should I volunteer at a hospital, nursing home or animal shelter to help get my foot in the door? How long would I have to volunteer before I could seek job opportunities there...and where's the best enviornment to volunteer where id most likely be able to get a paying position soon

Answer 1

Maybe times have changed, but if hospitals are still short-handed for services beyond RNs, LPNs, and other positions requiring educational certification, you could probably apply and receive a paid position right off.  There is kitchen work, maintenance work, medical records maintenance, emergency room admissions, inpatient registration and release function, billing, and if you have any Latin from high school, a reference on your desk of medical terminology and the PDR could be a lesser undertaking to tackle for medical and pharmaceutical transcription, both of which pay very well.  

Another nice thing about hospital work is that unlike administrative positions in other fields that lead up ladders, you don't have to dress to kill.  As long as you're clean, groomed, presentable, unwrinkled, care deeply about accuracy and germ-conscious, you're welcome, in a hospital.  Veterinary work starting at the bottom is almost always in the kennel, a very unpleasant job.

Hospitals almost always promote from within, and offer routine evaluations by your supervisor for progression.

Answer 2

Volunteering might help you gain some experience and references you can use for other jobs, however, most organizations want background checks for volunteers, so you probably won't get a volunteer position any faster than a paying job, because you will probably have to wait for the background check to clear.

You need to think about what kind of job you are looking for and what kind of training you need for it.  There are ways to get help paying for the training you need and once you have started the training, it may be easier to find a job that will give you experience.

Answer 3

yes you should definetely volunteer first, then the people in cahrge of volunteering can refer you. I know many people who volunteered at a museum and today work there. You may have to wait at least a year. Call and ask about being a volunteer and then working there.

I know volunteering at museums would easily get you a paying position but unfortunately that is not the position you are looking for. But usually being a volunteer will help landing an awesome position there! call and ask!

Answer 4

Well volunteering at some kind of animal shelter will help you get a job easiest out of those three choices.  Volunteering jobs though rarely lead to paying positions.  Though it looks good on a resume if your trying to get other jobs.  If you truly enjoy volunteering I would try with the red cross to see what you could do with them.  Sometimes they can give you some very invaluable experience.  Also by volunteering you can find people to give you good references for other positions as well.