As an AmeriCorps alumnus, you have competitive skills and the leadership and teamwork experience employers want. Now it is time to take what you have learned and use it as a stepping stone to your next experience.
It is important to effectively explain your service experience as you network with potential employers. Craft a brief description of what you accomplished during your term of service. Focus on the results of your service.
Example: My role at Volunteer Houston was to recruit volunteers and agencies to stay engaged with our Volunteer Connection Platform. I analyzed how we could improve the platform’s performance. Over the course of my AmeriCorps VISTA term, we revamped our website, launched a Google AdWords campaign, and became the first Volunteer Center in the country to develop a mobile app for finding volunteer opportunities. I’m proud to say we increased our registrations by over 50%.
Example: As an AmeriCorps member serving with the NCCC program, I was part of a 10-person team that spent 10 months traveling the country, living in communities and addressing their most pressing needs. We engaged in various projects, including providing crucial support to towns devastated by natural disasters and helping rebuild communities throughout the South and the Midwest. I am proud to say that we assisted more than 150 people impacted by flooding and distributed more than 1,000 pounds of food and other supplies.
Lead with AmeriCorps and include a brief description of the specific program you served in. You can also use during an interview to explain your AmeriCorps experience.
Then, provide specific information about the program.
As an AmeriCorps member, I served with the.
Include short, concise bullet points that accurately describe your accomplishments as an AmeriCorps member or leader and quantify your experience whenever possible. Examples:
Employers who understand the value of national service are committed to creating opportunities for AmeriCorps alumni
Take desirable skills and diverse experiences to a new role after serving with AmeriCorps. Here are some resources for members and alumni looking for their next step.
Once you've successfully completed service in AmeriCorps VISTA, you will receive one year of non-competitive eligibility for employment in the federal government. This special hiring status enables you to apply for federal jobs with the advantage of not going through the standard public competitive selection process. That means you can be appointed to federal positions that may not be available to the general public. In addition, your application could be processed faster than others.
Non-competitive eligibility does not guarantee a federal job but provides a valuable opportunity to be more competitive.