Where you list volunteer work depends on how relevant it is to your career. For instance, if you work in marketing and volunteered as a marketing consultant at a local non-profit, then include that work in your “Work History” section. In addition, don’t use the title “Volunteer,” which can minimize your role; instead use “Marketing Consultant.”

If, however, your volunteer work is unrelated to your career, then include it in a separate category, such as under “Community Involvement,” toward the end of your resume.

Another factor to keep in mind is who the employer is. If you’re applying for a job in Spokane at a non-profit, you may want to include your volunteer work front and center, whether it relates to your profession or not. For a community-minded employer, the fact that you do volunteer work can put you a step ahead of your competition.

How should I describe the volunteer work?

Treat it as you would any position that you were paid for. Explain the skills you put to use, the results you were able to deliver, and any important lessons you learned in the process. Also include the name of the organization you volunteered with and the dates you were there.

Why should I include volunteer work?

For an employee, volunteer work demonstrates a certain kind of character. It shows that you are an involved citizen, someone who works to make the community a better place. That said, including volunteer work can be especially valuable for three groups of people:

• For entry-level workers, volunteer work demonstrates interests and experience beyond the classroom.
• For those returning to the workforce, volunteer work illustrates a desire to stay sharp and remain involved.
• For laid off workers, volunteer work can help you fill an employment gap, as well as network during your job search.

If have any other questions about resume do’s and don’ts, or need help with any other aspect of your Spokane job search, please contact Provisional. Since 1994, we’ve helped thousands of area candidates find rewarding jobs in and around Spokane. And we can help you too.

1. Check.

Your first step should be to check with your company’s HR department about benefits you’re entitled to, such as COBRA, which will help you continue your health insurance coverage and is mandated by law as long as your employer has 20 or more employees. In some cases, the employee pays the full amount of the coverage; or, in other cases, the employer pays for some or all of the coverage for a period of time as part of a severance package. Also be sure to ask about any severance pay, retirement benefits, accrued vacation time, and overtime and sick time.

2. Ask.

Having glowing references can be the deciding factor in whether you’re hired for a new job in Spokane. So before you leave your old job, ask your boss and colleagues for reference letters, or ask if you can list them as a reference when applying for a job.

3. File.

Before you even start your job search, file for unemployment. Why? Because the sooner you file, the sooner you will start receiving money. Go to Washington State’s Employment Security Department for more information on eligibility requirements and how to apply.

4. Reflect.

Don’t jump into your job search right away. Take some time to rethink your career path. List your accomplishments and the tasks that you’ve enjoyed doing most. You may realize that you will be happier – and more productive – in a role that is slightly different from the one you were just laid off from.

5. Rework.

Rework your resume to reflect the kind of job you’re looking for. Be sure to include any accomplishments you achieved in your last position.

6. Start.

Searching the Internet 16 hours a day will only get you so far in your job search. Instead, approach your search like it’s a job. Get up in the morning, just as you would if you were going to work, get dressed and spend a few hours online searching for openings or making connections. In the afternoon, consider going to a networking event or job fair. Have lunch with former colleagues or friends. Or send out emails to your current network of contacts in case they have any job leads.

If you’ve been laid off, and would like some help finding a new job in Spokane, please contact Provisional. Since 1994, we have been the Northwest’s leader in specialized recruiting and staffing services, placing over 6,000 direct-hire professionals with area companies.

Consultants.
Your company hires a consultant to come in to help redefine the strategic direction or mission. Recommendations typically include restructuring or downsizing.

Closed door meetings.
These can be another sign that layoffs are on the horizon, especially if your boss typically has an open door policy.

Mergers & acquisitions.
Your company is in negotiations with another company that will probably result in an acquisition or a merger.

Cost-cutting.
Your boss has announced drastic cost-cutting measures such as hiring freezes, and cuts in salaries and travel budgets.

Competitor lay offs.
Your company’s competitors are laying off people. If your company is publicly traded, and the market responds well to layoffs from another company in the industry, your company may follow suit.

Outsourcing.
Your company is looking into or has decided to outsource some of its major functions.

Communication changes.
Your boss or co-workers are treating you differently. For instance, avoiding eye contact or choosing to communicate with you through email instead of in person.

Responsibilities are assigned to someone else.
Your workload has suddenly lightened – and you don’t get new assignments, even when you ask your boss for them.

In this economy, getting laid off isn’t something you should hang your head over. If you think your Spokane job might be in jeopardy, you need to take action. Start polishing your resume and connect with your network to see if there are any job opportunities that would be a fit for you.

And if you need help finding a job in Spokane, or in the Northwest, please contact Provisional. We are a leading employment agency and can offer you access to jobs in a variety of fields, including accounting, law, healthcare, administration, and IT.

When you started your Spokane job, it seemed ideal – you were happy, motivated, and inspired. But now the honeymoon is over and you’re just not satisfied. Workdays seem longer and weekends seem to go by faster. So what can you do to reignite your career passion and improve your job satisfaction? Here are five quick tips:

Tip #1: Pinpoint the problem.

Why exactly are you unhappy at work? Are you having problems with a co-worker or your boss? Are you unhappy about working conditions or your salary? Once you pinpoint the problem, you’ll have a better idea how to deal with it.

Tip #2: Don’t be afraid to ask.

Is there an easy fix to whatever is bothering you at work? If yes, then ask for it! What are you waiting for?! Nobody at work is a mind reader and so taking that first step is up to you.

Tip #3: Stay positive.

Ever hear about the power of positive thinking? Changing your attitude about your Spokane job won’t make things better overnight. However, developing a more optimistic point of view (i.e. the glass is half full) and reversing negative self talk patterns can go a long way in making you feel more productive and less stressed at work.

Tip #4: Maintain balance in your life.

When all you do is work, work, work, it’s only natural that your stress level is going to increase and you’re going to be unhappier as a result. It’s time to assess your situation and determine which areas you don’t have enough time for, such as family/relationships, hobbies, and exercise. Now create a priorities list and take action so that your lifestyle better reflects your interests and becomes more balanced.

Tip #5: Re-evaluate your goals.

If you’re feeling unfulfilled at work, perhaps your goals and your job requirements are out of alignment. It’s time to figure out what your career goals are and how you see yourself getting there. For instance:

• Are you in field you want to stay in for the next 5, 10, or 20 years?
• If not, what would you rather be doing?
• Where do you want to be, career wise, in the next 5, 10, 20 years?

The answers to these questions should give you a general idea of what you want out of your work life. And if you want to make a major change, now is the time to do it.

Job satisfaction isn’t a destination, it’s a journey. And the bottom line is that it’s up to you to make that journey. If you’re not happy at work, there are actions you can take now to help you become more satisfied. However, if you’re completely in the wrong job at the wrong company, it may be time for a change. If so, we can help. As a leading employment agency in Spokane, WA, Provisional can give you access to a variety of exciting job opportunities in Spokane. If you’d like to learn more about us, simply visit our website or contact Provisional online.

So how can you improve your job fair performance? Here are some tips:

Tip #1. Do your homework.
Get a list of the companies who will be attending and do some research beforehand. Hone in on the companies you would most like to interview with and make sure you go to their website and read about who they are and what they do. Don’t waste your time interviewing with companies you don’t want to work for.

Tip #2. Dress for success.
This should be a no-brainer, but you’d be surprised by the number of candidates who attend job fairs dressed inappropriately. So two words: Business suit. You can’t go wrong in a suit. Plus, it’s better to be overdressed, rather than underdressed.

Tip #3. Bring enough resumes.
Count on handing out at least two resumes for each company that interests you, plus bring some extras, just in case. Also, if there are different positions for which you qualify, make sure you have multiple versions of your resume. For example, if you’re in sales, bring resumes for positions as both a sales associate and a sales manager.

Tip #4. Create a plan of attack.
This step goes hand in hand with the research step. Once you have a list of companies you want to interview with, find out where each is located at the job fair. Decide who you want to interview with first, second, etc. You may want to interview with your top choices for employment in the morning, then stop back at the end of the day to thank them for their time.

Also, be sure to check to see if any new companies have registered that you’re interested in. You don’t want to miss out on any exciting opportunities.

Tip #5. Make a great impression.
You only have a few minutes to make a great impression. So be prepared with your “30- to 60-second commercial.” This way, when a potential employer asks you to “tell me about yourself,” you’ll know exactly what you want to say to position your skills in the best possible light.

Also avoid common interview pitfalls, such as chewing gum, not making eye contact, and fidgeting. Once the interview is complete, be sure to have some questions prepared to ask the interviewer.

Tip #6. Network with others.
Job fairs are all about networking. Obviously, you want to network with the decision makers and recruiters at companies you’d like to work for. But it’s also important to network with other candidates. They may have tips for job leads and could be a great referral source for you in the future.

Tip #7. Make sure you follow up.
Send a thank you note or email to the person you interviewed with the following day. In your note or email, restate your qualifications and reiterate your interest in the position. Also enclose or attach another copy of your resume.

As a leading employment agency in Spokane, WA, Provisional knows what employers are looking for during job fair interviews. If you’re searching for a job and need helping preparing for a job fair, please contact Provisional today.

Is this just luck or a coincidence?  Nope!  These people don’t wait for things to happen, they make their own luck.  So what can you do to ensure you’re successful?  You can start by following these five tips:

1. Have a positive attitude–always!
   Your attitude can be a powerful self-fulfilling prophecy.  If you have a negative attitude, 9 times out of 10 you will fail.  But, if you bring a positive attitude and display confidence, strength, and determination, you WILL be successful.  
2. Stay educated.
   The best way to ensure success is to stay one step ahead. Research your industry. Know what’s happening and what the experts say will happen. Look for trends. When you find them, start to train yourself in these areas. Knowledge is power.
3. Create a personal elevator pitch
   First impressions mean a lot.  If you only had 30 seconds to convince someone you were a hard-worker and a leader, what would you say and do?  Plan this ahead of time; you never know when it will be needed.
4. Learn to network.
   Unfortunately sometimes it’s not what you know, but who you know (at least to begin with).  Learn to network. You can even network within your own company. Invite co-workers to lunch. Take the time to walk by someone’s office to say hello. And actively seek out opportunities to network outside of work by joining organizations, groups, etc.  You start by seeking out your local chamber of commerce to learn of upcoming events.
5. Be open to new opportunities.
   Read trade publications. Listen to people in your network.  When a new opportunity presents itself, don’t sit back and wait.  Take the initiative to inquire more–and don’t be shy!

Bonus Tip!
Call Provisional Recruiting and Staffing.  We are Spokane and Seattle’s leading employment agency offering outstanding jobs in Seattle and Spokane.