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Getting stuck in – how volunteering can make you stand out from the crowd!

Written by: Southern Water
Published on: 3 Jul 2017

From cleaning out an elephant enclosure to planting hedges – Southern Water volunteers are always keen to get their hands dirty – sometimes literally! Our company volunteering scheme allows every employee to take two paid days a year to support a local charity or community. It’s great for building teams, developing skills and helping good causes.

Volunteering is important to Southern Water because it shows our customers that we care and value the communities that we serve – and that the places where our employees live and work really matter.

So what does all this mean to you when you are applying for a job and want to know what makes an ideal candidate?

As someone applying for jobs, you get to choose the kind of company you would like to work for. Money and other benefits like healthcare are important – but you may be interested in what else might make this company a great place to work. Things to think about include:

  • How much does this company really care about what its employees think?
  • What is the culture like – are there opportunities to support charities and community groups?
  • How will the company support my career path?
  • How does it reward great performance?

Employers are always looking for the stand out candidate. You may have all the qualifications and experience they want but if two or more people tie for first place after an interview, then the hirer is going to look for the person who is the best fit for their company. This is the person who really understands what the values and culture.

This is where what you do with your free time can make a difference to your prospects. A candidate who has volunteering experience is showing much more than a kind heart!

When you say : “ I volunteer …….”

A potential employer hears:

  • “ I am committed to helping my local community”
  • “I am a team player”
  • “Other people matter”
  • “I value others”
  • “I am a versatile person”.

If you are smart you can volunteer for causes already supported by the companies you would like to work for. A bit of research on their website could really help with future applications.

Volunteering is a great thing to do – it makes you stand out. may give you the edge and you might even enjoy it!

Interested in working at Southern Water? Check out their current vacancies here