Marla Robertson is a communicator, whether she's spelling it out or typing it up.
The skills she's learning volunteering for her neighborhood association, she can use to land a job.
Robertson was laid off three months ago from her position as a business development representative, but has been busy ever since.
“I couldn't see myself sitting around watching soap operas,”
So she's heading up a volunteer effort to restore homes for the elderly or disabled in Old Southwest.
She fundraises, finds volunteers and meets with homeowners, like Mrs. Carner.
“Without this it would look like I hadn't done anything for the last three months and this way it shows that I’ve taken on a project that was pretty large and willing to work hard to achieve a goal,” explained Robertson.
Dr. Kathy Jordan from Radford University says there are two gold standards when trying to find a job, experience and networking.
Volunteering is the best way to do that when you can't find a paycheck.
In fact, Dr. Jordan sited a recent study that put volunteering as the number two way to find a job.
She says it proves to employers that a person has passion and commitment.
Marla Robertson isn't the only one working for no pay.
Dr. Jordan says an increasing number of people are using unpaid opportunities as a stepping stone and a way to keep their resume's fresh.
“It's not a paid position and you know it shows that you care and it shows that you would be dedicated to an organization,” said Robertson.
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