It tells them that you are willing to go the extra mile and make sacrifices to get where you want. It also reveals a philanthropic side to yourself, which can only help when trying to create a good impression on paper. Volunteering is fairly easy to arrange because most employers or organizations are all too eager to accept free help. Try to volunteer somewhere that matches your interests and career goals, so that you can develop the kinds of skills that will help you in the workplace. Many companies, organizations and social agencies have volunteer programs set up to allow you to volunteer for anywhere between a few weeks to a few months.
Many people choose to make volunteering a lifelong activity on a part-time basis.
Volunteering doesn't even have to be career-related. Donating your time and skills according to personal interests can say just as much about you as career-related experience. It builds character, tells others that you are a well-rounded person with a variety of interests and leads to personal satisfaction. Internships, as well, are becoming increasingly important to getting the proverbial foot in the door. An internship is different from volunteering in that it is most often career-related, and is more of a segue to an actual job.