Volunteering: How Helping Out Helps You Stand Out In the Workplace

Many are getting savvy to that burgeoning opportunity. Case in point: LinkedIn recently shared that 1 million members have added charitable causes to their profiles, and that Millennials account for over 60 percent of those who are highlighting their volunteer efforts on the site as a part of their overall professional identity.

So, while some may still say that they can't afford to work for free, I'd argue that there are quite a few ways in which that investment of time and effort will pay off in the long run:

Helping out helps you stand out:  Companies today are looking for well-rounded candidates and actively seeking those kind of  “do-gooders" -- ones who will ultimately represent them well in the world. In fact (also according to LinkedIn ), one in every five hiring managers in the U.S. say they have selected a candidate because of his or her volunteer experience. Why? That kind of work feeds the soul while showcasing your interests -- and it's a perfect way to illustrate who you are and what you care about to potential employers.

Getting your foot in the door: When I was just starting out, I was looking for a position doing music or arts publicity. Without the right connections (and before the assistance of social media and sites like LinkedIn), I struggled. That was, until I began volunteering for a fantastic non-profit called LIFEBEAT, the music industry's AIDS organization. At the time, they were raising money through a series of after-parties for bands/musicians from Aimee Mann to Busta Rhymes, Sonic Youth to Tony Bennett. Volunteering at one of those events, I was introduced to someone in the process of launching his own music PR firm. Out of that fortuitous meeting came a job offer, which ultimately set my PR career in motion.

Honing your skill set: Volunteering provides the perfect opportunity to build or sharpen your skill set and stay connected to the industry in which you're interested. This is true for soon-to-graduate folks who haven't been able to score "real world" experience in their field; it's also a great opportunity for parents who've taken time off to care for their families. It allows you to pursue your passions and get experience that makes you more marketable. For example: Say you don't have social media skills. You might try finding a small non-profit that needs help in that department. Getting hands-on experience--like  growing followers to a Facebook page or managing the group's Twitter account--will then give you concrete examples to share on your LinkedIn profile or during in-person interviews.

Figuring out what kind of company you want to keep: Identifying which companies are supporting social efforts will help you focus your job search--particularly if you're someone who values volunteering. Often those organizations with strong corporate social responsibility ( CSR ) approaches also offer a more gratifying workplace. The thought: When employees and management feel they are working for a company that has a true conscience, they will likely be more enthusiastic and engaged in their jobs.