Why volunteering is great for the CV

Volunteering allows you to use your skills and experience to give back to your community and society.

It’s also a great addition to a CV, particularly if you’re currently studying or a recent graduate and lack a long work history. Certain volunteering roles can demonstrate your professionalism: for instance, if you regularly volunteer in a charity shop, it can show you can keep to a commitment and be responsible for key duties.

Volunteering is also a great way to build the technical skills law firms look for: communication skills, working in a team, building relationships could all be competencies that you grow in a voluntary role.

Finally, volunteering can show your commitment to an interest. For example, if you enjoy football, you could volunteer to coach a youth football team. If you want to demonstrate your commitment to a career in law and providing legal advice to those unable to afford representation, you could volunteer at a Citizens Advice or a university law clinic.

If you’re unsure where to find volunteering opportunities, I highly recommend Reach Volunteering. Reach is a database you can search for both local and national volunteering opportunities.