Volunteering your way into a job

From the Community…

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  Posted by Jett Thu Jul 16, 2009 12:07pm PDT

  Sounds great, but is it only in San Francisco?

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  Posted by Julie Thu Jul 16, 2009 1:43pm PDT

  Right now we are only doing events in San Francisco, but we are looking at coming to other cities as well. In addition, we'll be launching an online version in early August so that anyone across the US can set up a profile and network with companies or jobseekers. If you'd like to be notified when that happens, you can sign up for our list at http://www.jobnob.com/happy-hour/next-event

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  Posted by Bryant Thu Jul 16, 2009 3:31pm PDT

  May i suggest Orange County?? It's a great idea!!! Even though i'm thankfully employed, I will still probably try and donate my time...

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  Posted by ladybella04 Thu Jul 16, 2009 5:35pm PDT

  I think part-time jobs like these are a great idea in theory. On a surface level it sounds like a nice compromise that will benefit both parties involved. However, it does seem like it might benefit the employer more than the employee. I happen to think that I should get paid for the work that I do. We shouldn't devalue human capital to the point where working for free is viewed as some kind of privilege. It's really not- most people have bills to pay and mouths to feed. Granted, the experience might prove invaluable or it might be a nice stepping stone. But still, an honest day's work should be valued by society and fairly compensated. In the long run, I think this type of arrangement will drive down the value of workers. Why would employers want to pay for what they can negotiate for free? It's a real problem for our economy if employment is so scarce and unreliable that the workforce is now expected to jump at the opportunity to work for nothing. Also, bartering between employers and employees does not generate revenue or taxable income. It puts no new money into our economy and allows businesses that are in a coma to stay on life support in a vegetative state for just that much longer. It might work for some businesses, but for most I suspect it is a bandaid solution. If your business is so feeble that you cannot afford to pay employees, the unpaid workers will only keep you from failing in the short-term. It won't actually fix the shortage of customers, the quality of the product or whatever the root cause of the failure actually is.

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  Posted by nazo angle Fri Jul 17, 2009 6:43am PDT

  part time take little time form daily work but it is as good than working 24 hours and get less in my way part time is easy money making you can easier get money in few days or hours

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  Posted by Beatrice Fri Jul 17, 2009 6:55am PDT

  I own an small Day Spa in Delray Beach Florida , I think this is a great idea for people who are in the service industry, specially thiose who want to build a clientele, if you start as a volunteer doing manis n pedis and make tips from the begining is a win, win situation!

  WHAT DO YOU THINK?

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  Posted by Chris Fri Jul 17, 2009 8:28am PDT

  This form of getting employment is not new in emergency services, many people volunteer as first responders or firefighters and get the training that lead them into careers. Also hospitals will at times take good volunteers and turn them into employees. I think this basically points to the fact that if your willing to work and good at it, someone is going to notice you and put your talents to good use.

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  Posted by Anthea Fri Jul 17, 2009 4:42pm PDT

  As a massage therapist I have found giving away free massages is worthless in attracting clients.

  I tried it, or rather was required to do it by a boss, and did not get a single booking out of 54 hours of massage! People do not appreciate what they get for free.

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  Posted by Musa Sat Jul 18, 2009 8:19am PDT

  my name is musa hassan, iam basin in nigeria but unfortunatly iam jobless, iam seeking for job.thanks

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  Posted by E Sat Jul 18, 2009 4:25pm PDT

  In the food service industry, it's called staging and it's good if you want to gain experience and learn from a chef you admire. Often you're hired, or they will find something for you with another chef once you build the relationship and learn what you can from them.

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