There are countless reasons why volunteers choose to give time to good causes.

Traditionally for many it’s because they want to support the work of a particular charity, for some because there is an activity like a marathon, trek or skydive they would like to take part in, while for others volunteering is a community or sociable activity.

But while the path to volunteering may differ for each individual - and the type of volunteering activity can also take many forms - what all volunteers have in common is that they’re likely to learn something new from their experiences. That experience – the new skills and knowledge acquired while giving up time to make a positive difference to the lives of others – is also valuable in the workplace, and could make a positive impression when it comes to approaching prospective employers, says volunteering organisation CSV.

“Help your CV”

CSV (Community Service Volunteers) is the UK's largest volunteering and training organisation. With unemployment on the rise, and the Graduate Recruiters Survey 2009 predicting that the credit crunch is likely to last until 2010, CSV is keen to spread the message that – particularly for younger people: “volunteering boosts career and job prospects.”

Is Szoneberg, UK Director for Full-Time Volunteering at CSV is unequivocal about the value of experience gained outside of the workplace:

“In the current climate volunteering is more important than ever as a route back to work. The experiences of former volunteers have shown us how giving up time to make a positive difference to the lives of others can help your CV stand out from the crowd, and improve your chances of landing your dream job.”

“Stand out from the crowd”

Following a recent survey of former volunteers in which 91% of respondents claimed their unpaid experience boosted their job prospects, CSV are now launching a recruitment campaign called “Stand out from the crowd.”

The campaign aims to attract younger people to volunteering and promote the message that in the current straitened economic climate, taking six months or a year to volunteer before applying for graduate vacancies could be an educated move. But it’s not just graduates who should be heeding the volunteering message, says Szoneberg – it’s anyone concerned by how the credit crunch could affect their workplace:

“To anyone worrying about jobs now, our message is clear – volunteering improves employment prospects, and really is the only way to beat the credit crunch.”

For more details of the “Stand out from the crowd” campaign, follow this link: http://www.csv.org.uk/campaigns/stand+out

The full results of the CSV survey are at www.csv.org.uk/press