From Volunteer to Professional: Leveraging Volunteer Experience for a Career in Faith-Based Organizations

Professionals everywhere are pursuing career growth in an attempt not to get lost in the horde of competitors. Everyone wants to stand out to land the job they need. It seems people will take any and all opportunities to stand out, but one powerful option is often overlooked — volunteering. 

Whether you’re looking to transition into a new field, sharpen your leadership skills, or expand your professional network, volunteering in a nonprofit or faith-based organization can be a game-changer. When you volunteer, yes you meet a direct need by being the boots on the ground, but you also have found a way to grow professionally while making a real impact. 

Here are 8 key skills and strengths you develop when you invest your time volunteering.

1. Mission Alignment

For those looking to transition into a values-based career, volunteering provides insight into aligning personal passions with professional work. It allows you to gain experience working in a mission-driven environment. 

Advancing your career while staying grounded in a mission not only strengthens your own motivation to work hard, but also showcases a key trait that recruiters actively seek: being purpose-driven. Employers understand the vital role a purpose-driven team plays in achieving long-term success, making this quality highly sought after in today’s job market.

2. Adaptability and Resourcefulness

Nonprofits often operate with limited resources, so volunteers learn how to be adaptable, think creatively, and find innovative solutions to challenges. Adaptability translates as a few other buzz-words for recruiters, including being a solver, being agile, and being an anticipator. When you volunteer specifically within a role that you take on some ownership for, you demonstrate that you shine with adaptability — a skill highly valued in any career field.

3. Project Ownership

You don’t need contracted work experience to develop skills in project management. Volunteers in nonprofits often get the opportunity to take full ownership of projects, giving them real-world experience in managing timelines, budgets, and teams, skills transferable to any professional setting.

4. Career Transition

For those considering a career switch into the nonprofit sector, volunteering offers an opportunity to explore different roles, test out areas of interest, and gain sector-specific experience. Volunteering bridges the gap between the professional skills you already possess, and the nuances of nonprofit work and mission-driven team dynamics. If a knowledge gap concerns you as you enter a new field, you can meet your need in a low-pressure context as a volunteer. This will prepare you for your next job in a faith-based organization, where you will merge spiritual leadership and professional skills.

5. Cultural Competency

Volunteering in diverse, community-focused organizations enhances cultural awareness and emotional intelligence, vital for professionals aiming to work in inclusive and global environments. The work you do in a faith-based organization or nonprofit as an employee will likely serve a similar demographic. If you can demonstrate that you have emotional intelligence because of your volunteer experience, you will stand out as someone who can make a positive impact faster within a service leadership role.

6. Networking

Volunteering provides a unique opportunity to expand your professional network in ways that traditional career paths miss. By working alongside nonprofit leaders, board members, and fellow volunteers, you can build meaningful relationships with individuals who share your values. These connections can be pivotal when seeking new job opportunities, gaining industry insights, or receiving mentorship. In faith-based organizations especially, the network you cultivate through volunteering often extends beyond professional development, offering support and guidance within a community. You’d be surprised how these connections can lead to future job opportunities for years to come.

Incorporating volunteer experience into your resume is more than just filling a gap—it's about demonstrating the real-world skills, adaptability, and mission alignment that employers in faith-based and nonprofit sectors are looking for. You develop the exact traits that make you stand out as a candidate in the mission-driven career world.

If you’re ready to take the next step in your career, explore The VanderIndex, designed to help you grow professionally, build the skills employers need, and become irreplaceable in your field. With our comprehensive assessment, you can learn your top traits and what you need to become that rare ideal candidate for your dream job. Start your journey today by taking The VanderIndex.