Have you ever received a generic rejection letter leading you to feeling rejected and dejected? After spending anywhere from 15 minutes to an hour (or more) applying for a job, continuously completing and submitting job applications day after day, a rejection letter can be the straw that ALMOST breaks the camel’s back!  Don’t despair, however, rather take a different tact and think about an alternative way to get your name out in the market.

Volunteering is a great tactic in finding a job and it is time well spent. Not only is volunteering a positive experience, but it will allow you to connect with other individuals volunteering their time to the same cause. These individuals can recommend your work and become important contacts for you in your job search. Like networking, volunteering may open doors for you that you may lead you to key individuals or job opportunities in your area that you wouldn’t be able to find online or in a newspaper.  Volunteering can also help increase your skills, keeping them sharp versus letting them stagnate. You may want to check out Volunteermatch, an American nonprofit organization, best known for its web services, that aims to strengthen communities by making it easier for people to find good causes.  Don’t sit idly at home waiting for something to happen.  Make it happen.

Here’s to S.O.A.R.ing!