Volunteering your way into a job

Generally, I'm opposed to this whole idea of working for free. It is exploitation, pure and simply, nothing but.

There is a certain grace to working under the table, despite the illegalities of it. The assumption is that the boss and employee are cheating the government, but it's the exorbitant taxes of the government that pushes people into doing under-the-table work.

The employer pays fifty percent plus (beyond what the wage of the worker gets) in taxes, fees, and misc. and then there's the legal issues of employment. Don't think that doesn't scare off employers. So the government's cut leaves people unemployed...

A better solution might be to have an employer offer an internship salary or stipend. (People have to eat or you can't concentrate on work when you're thinking about food.) This limits the employer's commitment to someone who doesn't work out.

Additionally, part-time hours could permit a person to complete work on their own time, but still make something. It's still exploitation, but the worker has a choice to look for other work and move on, while the employer gets some cheap labor in the short term. This isn't a great solution, but we're in a DEPRESSION, despite the joyous acclamation of media pundits and government officials. Sometimes you have to live with what you've got.

This is what we've done, essentially, for 10 years, through our home-based internet business. Take on volunteers who want to secure their future (not overnight!) through their own efforts; this is equivalent to donating time free for a while, like any other new business venture. Benefits: empowers others, creates personal bailout, returns control of destiny to owner, etc. The old-fashioned model that worked so well in the agricultural age, where, if you wanted something, you either paid for it or bartered for it - no credit! The downside: people have been misled into believing that the government owes them a lifestyle, and deprived of the gift of the hard work creating their own; it can be hard to find, in a dumbed-down culture, many folks who hold to the old values that built this country. Bottom-line: great vehicle, great feeling to connect with like-minded folks and return or build their self-respect and personal satisfaction that we're doing the "right thing". In Southern CA, the hotbed of hot beds, and the center of the self-centered; tough gig, but all the more rewarding.

I totally support this idea of donating time to an enterprise - I was in corporate for 46 years, and I was basically worthless (non-productive) for a time early-on anyway, before I worked my way to the top of anything!

I LIVE IN VALPARAISO INDIANA......AND NEED ANY TYPE OF A JOB,PART TIME IS WHAT i WOULD LIKE,DOES ANYONE KNOW WHERE I CAN FIND ONE?

I think the idea has merits if used to screen an employee for future hire after a short time volunteering.

This sounds like a great idea. Being unemployed has emotional effects on individuals, keeping busy as you launch your job search will help in coping with your situation. I do feel that if your job performance is exceptional then it can lead to long time employment. And if you feel that it is not to your benefit, you can always move on with out jepordizing your jobless benefits, plus you have added to your resume.

I think it's a fantastic Idea and a ploy that I've used at different times in my life. At the very least I found a place to "hang out" I always volunteered at something I loved. At one point I was a free pit man for a tractor pulling crew in ca. for a few years every time they came to town they would call. That developed to an opportunity to travel the circuit and get paid very well to do so. It works well given the right circumstances.

I like the idea, just an not so sure about targeting graduates from certain University's. Don't the university's help with career counseling and job refereals for graduates already?

I think you are shifting your focus. You should help EVERYONE, not just university graduates from certain schools....Those people should have good network connections from fellow alumni as well as services offered by their prospective schools for their graduates.

I am one of those unemployed for almost a year now. I have skills and experience, but the economy is not offering jobs. I worry about how to keep my internet and phone on everymonth so I can look for work.

I don't think offering to "Work for free" for a company is good for the Volunter employee....Great for the Business that does not want to pay someone....What about abuse by the prospective employers? Why pay for someone that is willing to work for free? I am sure there is profit to be made by the employer off the sweat of a volunteer. It is one thing to work for a charitable organization for free, quite another to work for a profit goaled enterprise for free. What if your "Free' production is the difference between the company being profitable to the owners? Too many wasy to abuse this....Should have time limits where the employer either pays you or gets another volunteer and NOT for very long either....Make with a job, not sting people along with the hope of might. Might does not pay the bills. I don't see commuting into SF to volunteer in hope of getting a paid position somewhere down the road as being economically viable for people without income....

It doesn't matter as much what the employer gets from the worker. What matters is the worker gaining experience and learning a trade or skills that they can build on. The employer understands this and knows that he is getting a temp and if the temp is good, there's a chance he'll have a job soon. The worker is gaining knowledge in exchange for his time and effort, rather than paying a school and then putting in time and effort. Not everyone has the situation that will allow them to use up hours of their day for free, but it's far more advantageous than staying home and learning nothing with that time.

this leaves the door open for employers to take advantage of your disadvantage. a young potential employee maybe lacking in skills to know when to say yes or no to volunteering their time . this concept should approached with caution

I am able to volunteer some of my time any day I live in norwalk CA

I think the concept is good. Many people are out of work and depression is a major issue. Volunteering would provide a way to find some usefulness and perhaps learn something new or open to a job later.

I am disabled and not allowed to work more than 10-15 hours per week. I am working with two agencies to try and find anything that I can do. I have many limitations,and do not like idle time. I have found two opportunities of volunteer positions and want to try them. This is an excellent way for me to figure out what I can do even though I will never be allowed to work full time. Both positions are visible to me as potential employment,regardless of wage. I am 44 have an 11 year old son and do not receive any court ordered child support. I cannot imagine never being employed in the workforce again. Volunteer work gives a sense of self worth as well as helping others. Employers look at volunteer work. It shows that you are a motivated person and that could make the difference in becoming employed faster.

A friend of mine wanted to learn martial arts. At a local dojo (gym) the sensei (master) took him on. He slept in the attic and besides learning martial arts; he learned how to run a business. He did the maintenance and every possible thing related to the business as an apprentice.

Another high school friend’s first job was at a gas station, back in the days of full service gas stations. He pumped gas, checked the oil and washes the windshield for minimum wage but hung around after hours and learns how to be a mechanic. Eventually he became the ultimate automobile mechanic.

So it has potential but it really depends on you. In my case as well as others who responded get any job and make do until the situation gets better.

Che

I have to agree with Chris.I think volunteering is a good thing especially when you can gain more knowledge and experience to make yourself more valuable. It's a chance that you might get your foot in the door. I'm trying to get back into the Medical Field and I love volunteering at the hospital.

Great and good idea, but jobseekers should not be exploited throuigh that, and as the opportunty comes, such person should be enployed.
regards

i am a graduate of 4 years course but unfortunately but still no jobs was taken by me... somebody could advise me what to do? i need it for my kids are in their higher education level now... thanks AND MORE POWER

Its not a bad idea but it may not make sense in some countries

You know I missed this article when you originally posted it and I am barely reading it now but I LOVE this idea! I am going to see if there is something available in my town. I worked at a start up before and I LOVED it, you get so much exposure that you normally would not get ANYWHERE, especially with me being 25. Say what you will but everyone looks at us younger folks like we have nothing to offer, just there to do what senior people don't want to. Corporate America just does not value younger people, no matter how intelligent or how business savy we are. So this sounds PERFECT for me! Thanks a bunch!

My name is Bamidele Afolayan A Nigerian currently based in Sudan. I think this is agreat idea.Job seekers coul benefit in the area of community service.I know of an unemployed graduate who engages in traffic control every morning in owerri ,a town in Nigeria.He was later noticed by a highly placed government official in the state and subsequently employed

I know two women who did this at my daughters school. They were volunteering while they were going to school to be a teachers assistant, when she got her certificate the school needed people and because the two women had already been there and new the teacher, children, and parents they gave them jobs.