Following the dismantling of the U.S. Agency for International Development and sectorwide layoffs in 2025, many professionals began the new year ramping up their job searches. As of Jan. 13, 2026, more than 258,000 global and 23,000 U.S. jobs have been lost, according to the USAID Stop-Work tracker.
While volunteering during a job search may seem counterintuitive — pulling focus from applications — job seekers and experts told Devex it can open up unexpected opportunities, allow for skill development, and provide structure during an uncertain period.
One study that sent 2,000 fictitious CVs — half of them with volunteering experience — to employers in the United States found that profiles citing volunteer work receive 45% more callbacks for interviews. Additionally, data collated by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development tracking students from adolescence into adulthood shows that volunteering has tangible economic benefits, including 4%–8% higher wages in adulthood, increased chances of employment, and greater resilience during career transitions.