The financial crisis has resulted in companies retrenching and requiring employees to take leave without pay on a weekly or monthly basis. With employment opportunities scarce, it may take job seekers much longer to find work. People may get frustrated and demotivated easily, losing direction in their career goals. Many career specialists agree that getting involved in voluntary work can help people to keep motivated in their job search and stay focused on goals.
'The uncertain economic climate is affecting everybody's lives, but people should take a more positive attitude towards difficulties and put their lives in positive perspectives,' said Flora Chung Woon-fan, chief executive of Agency for Volunteer Service (AVS), a statutory organisation tasked to provide members of the public with volunteer opportunities by liaising with non-profit organisations and private companies.
There are 5,000 individual volunteers and more than 80 teams registered with the organisation, matching more than 30,000 volunteers to service opportunities.
Ms Chung has seen a noticeable increase in the number of people in Hong Kong seeking voluntary work through her organisation over the past year, admitting that the rise could be attributed to the financial crisis putting people out of work.
'There has been a surge in recent months and the number of registered volunteers has doubled from the same period last year,' she said.
Voluntary work can benefit people in their career development. 'Volunteers will get more exposure to people from all walks of life and different organisations. This helps them make more friends and build wider networks. In the course of rendering voluntary service, one's ability will be strengthened in areas such as communication, social skills, organisation and planning.'
Although many people believe that youths and retirees form most of the volunteer population, the agency boasts a large number within the 25-45 age group.