Volunteering builds skills employers crave

WHEN we think about getting a job, most of us focus on marks, degrees, certificates and technical skills.

- SHARON GORDON

We believe that if we learn the right software, get the right qualification, or land the right internship, we'll be set.

But the world of work is changing fast. With artificial intelligence doing more technical tasks, employers are looking for something different. They’re looking for human skills; the kind machines can’t copy.

This is what I call the “Résumé of the Heart.” It’s the part of your CV that shows who you are, not just what you know.

More than just “helping out”

For a long time, volunteering was seen as something “extra.” Something nice to do if you had free time. Maybe something to fill a gap year.

Today, it’s much more than that.

Structured volunteering, meaning volunteering through an organised programme or NGO is one of the best ways to build the soft skills employers really want. It is also an IEB requirement for Life Orientation in Matric.

Soft skills include: Communication, leadership, teamwork, problem-solving, time management and emotional intelligence.