There are thousands of charities and service organizations in need of volunteers. So while you’re out there searching for a job, you may want to consider doing some volunteer work in the meantime. Harry Urschel at The Wise Search wrote a fascinating article about how volunteering yields positive benefits both to the needy organization as well as to the volunteer him/herself.

Here are four ways volunteering will help your job search:

  1. It will encourage you to meet and talk to people you don’t know — boosting your confidence during networking.
  2. You will feel accomplished — you can feel good about yourself, knowing you achieved something by helping others.
  3. Volunteering helps you put your life into perspective — your problems won’t seem as bad in the scheme of things.
  4. You never know who you will meet — a contact volunteering may lead you to your next job!