Build your skills and experience by volunteering

What sets you apart as a potential employee? That's a question any job-seeker should ask. But answering that question -- that's a whole different matter.

Even in high-tech fields, employers want to hire people with skills, experience, and passion. One of the best ways to build your skills and experience, and to show your passion, is to volunteer.

I have always made volunteering an important part of my life. I belong to several community organizations, and donate a lot my time to other groups around the world. Sometimes, this helps me to build my portfolio of completed projects. Other times, it helps to focus my skills. It always helps to me to help make the world a better place.

The best spot to find organizations or causes that could benefit from your skills is VolunteerMatch.org. Give the site a search and you'll find dozens of potential ways you can use your computer skills, programming talents, or technical expertise. These can be one-off jobs that take a few minutes or a few hours, or long-term assignments for organizations with greater needs. Either way, you'll rarely spend more than a few hours at a time, but you'll feel the benefit for years to come.

In the process of volunteering, you'll help out a cause while adding some concrete experience to your resume. Causes and organizations need your skills because you can help to solve problems, and that's a critical talent for any employee. And meanwhile, you get the extra bonus of knowing that you've done some good in the process.

Too many students leave school without any real-world experience. Volunteering can be a way to solve that, so give it a try. You'll be glad you did.