In a job market that can be as competitive as a dozen lions fighting over one piece of meat, it can often be difficult to set yourself apart from the rest of the pack. Thankfully, there is an easy, fun way to instantly shoot you from last to first on the hiring list, and it only requires a few hours a week. That opportunity is called volunteering.

Choosing to volunteer doesn't only make a positive difference in the community, it can also help pad your resume for when you start that job search. I caught up with Wendy Lycett, a consultant at the Career Services office at Fanshawe in D1063, where she offered the nitty-gritty on what volunteering is all about.

There's no question that volunteering can help increase the hiring prospects for some in their career pursuits, but for others, it's even more important. "I think volunteer work for some career fields is essential," Lycett said, noting that careers such as policing require community involvement. "But for most fields, it gives you bona fide experience, it gives you network contacts and it gives you references. And people sometimes don't realize that they can claim it as experience."

The biggest disclaimer issued when it comes to volunteering is not forcing yourself to do something for the sake of saying that you did it. Find something that you intrinsically enjoy and will help you become a better candidate in the field that you'd like to work in. If you're a sports buff, volunteer at a rec centre or sports team; if you're a math whiz, help out local elementary school children in after-hour programs.

Lycett said she thinks that there's a volunteer position for everyone in some way, but focus on what you want to get out of it. "What I suggest people do is think about what you have to offer, what you want to learn, what skills do you want to develop or use, and then look at where in the community you can do that," she said, adding, "it tends to be easier to volunteer with non-profit organizations, but some companies will also take on volunteers."

While it can be exciting to go out, get your volunteer on, rack up hours and show off to employers in future interviews, Lycett warned that volunteering isn't necessarily for everyone. It does require dedication, and sometimes balancing school with extracurricular commitments can become demanding.

"Volunteering is good if you have the energy and the time and the motivation. I think if you are struggling with your program, and you don't have the time to get your academic work done, then you have to weigh out what's more important."

But don't get the wrong idea and think that you have to have a million things done by the time you graduate just to make an impression. When it comes to talking to an employer about your volunteer experience, Lycett stressed quality over quantity. "I would say that what employers look for are what someone's skills are and what they have to offer," she said. "That's where you have to look at the volunteer thing and say... what problems did I solve? How did I serve? And to be able to talk about that and what you did."

Volunteer experience is experience, so use it to your advantage. It can be a fun, rewarding pastime, if you choose the right fit for you. To help with that, check out pillarnonprofit.ca for an extensive list of different volunteer opportunities in London, as well as www.fanshawec.ca/careerservices for any job-seeking or career advice.