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View Full Version : Should Redundant Employees do Pro Bono Work while Looking for Jobs?



michaelakassar
06-06-2009, 06:17 PM
Hi All,

A former coworker (an HR practitioner with around 7 years experience) has contacted me for advice on their job search.

Their experience includes both junior and mid level HR roles. Prior to this, they also undertook roles involving training facilitation and managing small teams of staff.

This person has just been made redundant, and asked me if it would be worthwhile to undertake some pro bono work in a professional capacity during their job search so they can continue to utilise their skills. However they are concerned that the image of volunteer/pro bono work may not go down too well in the corporate world, and may tarnish the professional image they want to maintain. While they feel that helping not for profit orgs is a great thing to do, they are worried they may lose their competitiveness in the tight job market with applicants who are still in paid employment.

This person has 2 good references from the job they are about to finish, as well as references from previous employers.

So far I've advised that doing pro bono work in a professional capacity, although does not bring in the money, it may be better than having an employment gap (they have rarely been out of work), but there may be a valid point about their competitiveness with paid workers.

I also suggested that they join AHRI, and try to find a way to network, as many jobs are not advertised (although the Perth business community has very little opportunities for networking I feel).

If anyone can give me some ideas about whether companies will accept pro bono as valid work I may be able to point my friend in the right direction, as I've only done a little charity work myself during my late teens and not in a professional capacity.

All suggestions are welcome.

:)

Cheers
Michaela

Moz
07-06-2009, 11:24 AM
Michaela,

I can't see any reason for not doing pro bono work for not-for-profits while in between paid jobs.

It is often said that it is easier to get a job when you already have one, so your friend is already at a disadvantage to candidates in paid employment with those employers who stigmatise the unemployed. Engaging in pro bono work cannot make this any worse.

As an employer I would see it as a positive that someone had chosen to do such pro bono work. Not only does it show that they are willing to give something back to the community it also demonstrates initiative, a desire to work and keep their skills current. Many people underestimate how much they can forget about performing day to day tasks when they are not working for an extended period and how damaging this can be to their self confidence. So "keeping your hand in" can be very worthwhile, regardless of whether you are being paid to do it.

The only downside I can see with doing pro bono work is it's potential to impact on the time a person can devote to getting another job. It's also important that it does not impact on availability to attend interviews and start a new job when it is offered.

As for joining AHRI, I have been a member in the past and viewed it as a waste of money. Admittedly I didn't get very 'involved', but I think the vast majority of members don't get involved in AHRI activities, so it is unlikely to be of much help in networking, particularly in the short term.

As for many jobs not being advertised, these are mainly jobs that are being handled by recruitment companies who already have suitable candidates on their database. AHRI isn't going to help with this at all. Your friend would be better off registering with all the recognised HR recruitment specialists and make themselves available for contract work, which can often lead to a permanent job with the same employer.

Moz.

Melissa Martin
07-06-2009, 02:06 PM
Hi Michaela,

As an experienced HR Consultant and Recruiter, I would suggest that pro-bono work is a positive thing to be doing whilst looking for paid employment. As Moz has mentioned, this will enable your friend to keep their mind stimulated and their skills current. There are many organisations that would be keen to receive HR related support on a volunteer capacity. If this is the option your friend decides to explore, they would benefit from making their intentions clear from the on-set i.e. how long they are willing to commit to volunteering (would they be able to continue on a part time basis once they secure paid work?) and that their ultimate goal is to secure paid work. It is also not unheard of for volunteers to be offered paid employment 'down the track'.

In terms of the concern you raised about pro-bono work not being viewed favourably, it will come down to how your friend 'sells' the skills and experience on their resume (along with how they view its value). If they are able to highlight the relevant skills and professional value they have gained from the work it would not be seen as a negative. They also need to believe in the value of the work so that that comes through when they are talking to prospective employers and / or recruiters.

In terms of AHRI, your friend would not necessarily need to become a member of AHRI in order to attend the different events they offer. AHRI usually offers a 'non member' rate for events so your friend could go along and decide for themselves if membership would be worthwhile. In order for your friend to benefit from AHRI in a networking sense they would need to become actively involved. Like any professional association, you get as much out of it as you are willing to put in. In my opinion, whilst many members do not get actively involved, those that do are often the ones who are worth developing relationships with. From my experience, the people who become involved in their professional association, committees etc are those that referring and helping others out comes naturally to.

Registering with specialist HR recruitment agencies is also worthwhile as not only would they be able to assist in terms of placing your friend in a new role, but they would be able to offer current advice as to the relevance of pro-bono work. As Moz has also said, temp work can often lead to perm opportunities too.

In terms of their job search, your friend may also find some success in marketing themselves directly to organisations. If they decide to follow through with voluntary work, marketing themselves directly to other not-for-profits or companies that have strong corporate social responsibility programs would see the voluntary work favourably.

Regardless of others views however, when looking for your next role, how you 'sell' your skills and experience as well as how you feel about your them and your current situation plays a big role in your success.

Melissa.

Pete
11-06-2009, 07:02 AM
Hi all

Moz and Melissa are right on the money. I can't see any downside to doing professional work pro-bono for a not for profit, other than potentially reducing job serach time. Unless of course the not for profit is the "Australian Nazi Party Whale Hunting and Kitten Strangling Club" :)-

The potential benefits regards showing willing and desire, keeping skills current and making contacts are great. It's all about how you sell teh actual skills and competencies used in the role, and teh achievements delivered, not how much they were pauid for it.

If I was reviewing the CV's of two applicants, both recently redundant but one who sat at home and one who set out to do volunteer work, I know which one I would look more favourably on!

Thoroughly recommend contracting work also - especially if they are doing nothing otherwise (as long as they are able to end the contract in a reasonable timeframe to take up a permanent position that may arise elsewhere - check the exit clause). It worked for me - a three month contract was rolled over and over until it had stretched out for a year, when I didn't seek another rollover as I had been offered a permanent job elsewhere, the company I was with counter offered. Eventually I returned on a permanent basis a few years later having left a good impression and maintained the relationships.

Midaz Coaching & Consulting
11-06-2009, 08:27 AM
I agree with the comments above. Perhaps this could be used as an opportunity to get experience in an industry that they have not previously worked in but would like to. Not only would they be using their skills but they would also be "testing the waters" to see if they really would like to move into that industry.

Another idea would be to contact any business or professional associations i.e. AHRI, AIM, AIPF, CMI etc and volunteer their time on the local chapters leadership team or organising committee. This way they will be keeping themselves busy and also staying current as to what is happening in the market place. If you friend is based in Qld, they can contact me and I will be happy to introduce them to some people that may appreciate assistance of this kind.

michaelakassar
19-06-2009, 03:33 PM
Hi All,

Thanks very much for your advice, you have been most helpful.


Cheers
Michaela

KimL
23-06-2009, 02:57 PM
Hi all,

As you can see that I'm a new member to this forum. My position was also made redundant at the end of March this year. Although I've been searching for my next role since last month, the job market in Sydney hasn't been that good and the competition must be tough (so the recruiters told me!). Also I found that many companies only want to recruit people from the same industry.

I'm a HR generalist with approx. 10 years experience (4-5 years at senior / management level). I'm experienced in areas such as recruitment, ER, Rem&Ben, international mobility, performance management, learning & development and I also managed restructuring programs. The industries I worked include Engineering, Defence, FMCG and Retail.

I must say that apart from applying for jobs on Seek and jobsinhr sites, I haven't thought about doing pro bono work. So thanks to all for the idea and the discussion which I found very useful. But one question though, how do you start to find pro bono work?

Any help would be much appreciated.

Kim

CLM
23-06-2009, 04:21 PM
Hi Kim,

Seek has a section for volunteer work (http://www.volunteer.com.au/?cid=sk:main:au:nav:vol) that might be useful in your search for pro bono work.

Good luck with your job search.

Christy.

kevinh
24-06-2009, 10:00 AM
There don't appear to be many HR related jobs on the Seek volunteer site at the moment, just a couple of recruitment roles. I'm guessing they don't get many because HR isn't listed position type. There are quite a few Board positions but they will almost certainly be on-going, longer term positions.

Kim, assuming this is what you want (HR related work), I would suggest contacting organisations directly at a senior management level to ask if they could use an experienced HR practitioner on a voluntary basis. Obviously you will need to give them some idea of your availability.

Before doing so you might want to think about what sort of organisation you want to work for, because they may differ enormously. Be aware that not all "Not for Profit" organisations are necessarily charitable organisations.

Kevin

KimL
24-06-2009, 11:42 AM
Hi Christy and Kevin

Many thanks for the ideas and suggestions. Kevin you're right that there aren't that many HR related work on the Seek volunteer site, but it's a useful site which I may find other things I could do. I probably will need to 'market' myself directly to organisations, as Kevin suggested.

Kevin, is it possible and worthwhile to post my resume in this forum? in case if any registered members may have upcoming opportunities?

Kim

kevinh
24-06-2009, 12:36 PM
Kevin, is it possible and worthwhile to post my resume in this forum? in case if any registered members may have upcoming opportunities?

Kim

Kim,

This is an interesting question to which I will need to give some thought and respond a little later. However, I would NOT recommend that you post your full resume on any public forum.

In the mean time I would suggest that you complete your HR Buzz member Profile.

To do so go into User Control Panel (on the left hand side of the horizontal navigation bar when logged in) under "Your Profile" select "Edit Your Details" - make sure you save the changes!

Also do the following to ensure that other members can contact you through HR Buzz

Under "Settings & Options" go into "Edit Options"
Under "Messaging & Notification" - "Private Messaging" ensure "Enable Private Messaging" is enabled (ticked)

also enable "Receive Email Notification of New Private Messages"

this ensures that you are notified by email that there is a private message waiting for you.

Also, in the same section under - "Receive Email" you may wish to enable "Receive Email from Other Members" (this does not display your email address to other members).

NB: When anything has been edited ensure you scroll to the bottom of the page and click "Save Changes".

Kevin

KimL
06-07-2009, 11:54 AM
Hi Kevin,

Sorry I've been off-line for a while hence the late reply... Thanks very much for the suggestion, I'll give it a go!

Kim