My great escape

I have just resigned from my (latest) job. I am very happy I left, as that job was a dead end, and I didn't enjoy it at all. I am not going to get into detail, but the job wasn't for me. I was overqualified for the role, and I had hidden all my university qualifications in order to get it. In the end, I ended up being miserable as I didn’t enjoy working there. Plus, it only paid national minimum wage. I can do much better, I am sure.

So, now what? 

A two month travelling abroad, to start with. Because I can.

When I get back I will start searching for a new job. This time I will only apply for jobs I would love doing. I won't compromise. 

...Volunteering... and abuse of volunteers...

I struggled to find a better word that 'abuse' to use on the title of this post. Frankly because this is exactly what I am going to talk about today. Abuse of volunteers.

I already mentioned possibly exploitation of volunteers on a previous post. I remind you that volunteering does not equal exploitation. The two are miles away when volunteers offer their services in return for something: training, professional references, networking, as a personal rewarding experience, in the hope that one can land a job...you call it. 

So, when is volunteering an abuse? 

I answer this question based on personal experience (I have been volunteering in various settings in the last 16 years). 

Are you shouting at me? No thanks!

Volunteering is abuse when:

• your boss keeps asking you to do more hours than you can give to the project / cause
• your boss makes you do the work that should be done by paid staff
• you have to pay your weight in gold in order to volunteer (a.k.a. 'milking the cow' volunteering')
• your personal information is not personal any more.
• you were supposed to be CRB checked in order to volunteer, but nobody has bothered to CRB check you. If your boss CRB checks you, you can put it on your CV. Although your new boss may CRB check you anyway.
• you do all the hard work while others (staff and volunteers) are watching - and they do not offer a helping hand.
• you are unsupervised
• nobody provides you any training / new skills
• your boss makes you do thinks without considering your health and safety
• your travel expenses are not (partly) covered - unless this is not an issue for you.
• your boss abuses your networking connections
• your boss abuses your 'repairing the laptop' skills
• they call YOU first every time they need someone to volunteer - and this happens ALL the time (or very often). You are not there to cover (all) emergences remember. 
• You are bullied by the staff / other volunteers (because bullying among volunteers does exist).
• your boss makes you do things that you don't enjoy, whether you like it or not. 
• you are seen in an inhumane manner (as a slave; use your imagination here). 
• you are brainwashed for things and you are emotionally abused (e.g. this frequently happens in religious and political settings of volunteering). 
• you are not allowed to offer your opinion / view
• the staff does not treat you as 'one of us' and as 'equal'. 
• your confidence is going down instead of going up while you volunteer
• you are not allowed breaks / time for yourself (e.g. time to pray if you are a Muslim). 
• you have to pretend you like doing something when you don't (don't pretend you can work with children if you don't like being around them).
• you are told to take illegal action whether you believe in a cause or not (use your imagination here). Unless of course you WANT to take illegal action (see 'activism' - nothing wrong with this). Then, YOU face the circumstances like an adult.
• people don't treat you with respect
• you don't enjoy it. 

I hope I have not left any major issues out but I am sure that you get the point. Be careful when you volunteer and make sure you know how to set your limits and how to withdraw from the post, if for any reason, you don't want to do it any more.

...Tips for volunteering...

If you often volunteer for the local community, doing anything (from looking after abandoned pets to working in a charity shop) then the following may sound familiar to you. 

Have you ever thought of how rewarding you work is? 

Not just because you get to get work experience and new skills, improve your CV, make new friends, raise your confidence levels and even find a paid job because of your voluntary services. 

But because you dedicate YOUR time to an objective, a cause, something you believe in. And it all pays back if you do it right. 

But before you start considering voluntary work, take a moment and think of the reasons you would like to volunteer, what you really like to do, how much time you can afford, and even, where this volunteering will take you. 

Now, let's discuss these 4 points separately:

Reasons

Do you wish to volunteer because you simply love getting out the house and making new friends? Or, because you think that you will get new skills and networking opportunities that may help you find a job in the future? Or both? Or because you simply love working with children or for the local church? There might be thousands of reasons for you to volunteer, so throw them in the mix. Be yourself and go for what you like, for the reasons you like.

Types of volunteering

Not all types of volunteering are for everyone. If you are emotional, volunteering with terminally ill patients may not be for you. 

If you are allergic to certain animals, please do not volunteer with pets. 

If you can't leave the house, consider volunteering your time from home - many organisations look for volunteers who work from home. 

VOLUNTEERING IS FOR EVERYONE. Yes! Even for people with mental problems, learning difficulties or special needs. Do what you can and what you are able of doing. And always say no if you think you cannot do something. Do not pretend! You are there to volunteer. Nobody is going to kick you out if you deny lifting some garden pots if your back is in pain. Do not trespass your mind and body limits!

Time

Talking about limits... time is an issue. How much of your free time can you offer to a cause? 

Be honest. When you attend an interview or an open event for new volunteers, talk to the manager or volunteer coordinator about how much time you are willing to afford to the cause. Mention which days you are normally available / unavailable and how many hours you are willing to volunteer per week / month. 

How about setting your own schedule for your voluntary work? Remember: your manager will appreciate this. 

Goal

Many volunteers are retired. They sometimes miss their job and volunteer their time because they simply love keeping their mind and body active, while they enjoy making new friends. 

If you are a teenager, you may wish to volunteer in order to complete your Duke of Edinburgh award. 

Many younger volunteers volunteer because they need to get the skills that will allow them to enter the job market in the future. For instance, many university students who read heritage studies volunteer in museums. 

Volunteering looks great on your CV, especially if you are out of work. Let's be honest: these pauses in you employment history  aren't good. Fill them with volunteering and voilà... you increase your chances to land a job! 

Now, if you are looking for job experience as a (normally) younger volunteer, there are some unpaid internships out there that might be better for you. These normally require more involvement and time than any other voluntary role, but thanks to them, you may land a job in your preferred field (not guaranteed but let us hope you do so). Internships are often accompanied by a 'contract' that you have to sign. 

Lastly, there are three things that I need to mention in order to close this post:

1) Take things seriously. When you volunteer, be a professional. Apply for volunteering in a rather professional manner, attend an interview in a rather professional manner, and work in a rather professional manner.

2) Learn to say 'I can't do this'. Learn to say 'no'. Learn to say that you need help for something you were asked to do. Learn to ask why. Learn to communicate with fellow volunteers and with the manager. You are no superhero, you have no superpowers and your time is not unlimited. Also, understand that you are there to get something back. You are not there to cover staff shortages but if you are not happy, or if you feel that you are exploited, learn to set your own limits for everything you do. Or stop volunteering - and start volunteering for something else. Simple. 

3) If you are not into the whole volunteering thing (and you rather get paid for your work instead), please do not volunteer. Nobody is pushing you to volunteer. It is there as an option. You either take it or leave it. 

Have fun whatever you do!