How volunteering can have a direct impact on your career

As recruiters in the social housing sector we are often asked for help to find Board members or Non Executive Director positions. So, as this week is National Volunteering Week it seems timely to offer advice and share experience as a Board member to encourage others to put themselves forward.

Volunteering in any capacity is a hugely rewarding experience, and there are many social and personal benefits to be gained from donating your time to others. Not only will you be making a positive impact to your community, but the valuable new experiences you’ll gain will have a direct impact on you personally and professionally.

For anyone looking to advance their career in the social housing sector, the addition of Board member to your CV can be hugely important. It can add distinction, financial compensation (sometimes), and excitement to your career. As a Board member you will learn new skills and gain experiences that may not be available to you in your day job. It’s also an ideal way to broaden your network and improve your reputation and credibility. Offering to donate your skills and expertise to play an active role in the success of an organisation as a Board member illustrates your commitment and passion – which could just help you secure your next promotion.

But if you’re unsure how to find and secure your first Board position, here is some advice:

• Think about what skills and expertise you could offer a Board and what sets you apart from others.  Your career and qualifications maybe in a specific area such as finance or Human Resources, but your personal attributes are just as important.  If you have experience in mentoring, team leading skills or you’ve overcome barriers to achieve personal success, you’ve probably got valuable skills to offer a Board.

• Don’t underestimate what you can contribute – we’ve all got an area of expertise and above all Boards need interested people who can offer insight and common sense whilst asking challenging questions. You don’t need to be highly experienced or highly qualified, you just need to be able to share your knowledge to support others to do the job.

• Find a position by searching online for companies seeking board candidates, and asking around in your professional circle.

• Gain experience and develop skills that will be useful in a board role. You could start off by looking for a committee role in the local community (such as becoming a school governor at a local school) to give you valuable experience, demonstrate your commitment and confirm you enjoy this kind of role.

• Submit your application to the proper contacts.  If you’re sending an email keep it succinct. Introduce yourself and your experience in the first paragraph.  Then explain briefly how you can add immediate value as a board member. Highlight your experience, skills, qualifications and connections and attach a CV to the email.

If you are looking for a Board role or if your organisation is interested in strengthening its Board, Ocean Edge Executive Search can help. Please email or call us on 023 8000 1153 for a confidential discussion.