Jobs are scarcer these days than they used to be, so if you're moving to a new city like Fullerton, California, you might find it difficult to secure a job, especially if your experience lies in BBQ catering in Toronto and you're applying to work on a road crew. You may think that retraining is your only option, but it's not. Often volunteer work can stand in for training or paid work experience in many fields. Here are some types of volunteer work you may want to add to your resume.

Administration

For people who are applying to do bureaucratic work with a government, to work in an office, or to act as a secretary or receptionist for a business, doing administrative work for a charity will stand you in good stead. Blood banks, the charitable foundations, and polling groups often employ volunteers to keep their records in order. The responsibilities of such a position, including filing, answering phones, and coordinating others, can stand in where your Toronto SEO work experience is inadequate.

Working with Children

Ideally if you want to get a job as a nanny, babysitter, recreation program leader, or instructor, you'll have a diploma in a child care related discipline. Not everyone does, however. If you fall into that category, volunteering in a church daycare, at an English school in Toronto, or with a youth group like Scouts/Guides or Big Brothers/Big Sisters can help. Often these groups will give you your criminal record check and training in fields like first aid and nonviolent conflict resolution for free.

Trades

If you're applying for work in a trade, such as carpentry, plumbing, or even public works, they like you to have training. You can get that training in school or from a charity group. Volunteering to help rebuild in disaster areas overseas or construct homes for Habitat for Humanity locally can help give you the experience with sewage pumps that you need to secure an apprenticeship.

Food Preparation

There are always plenty of jobs open for cooks, bakers, and other food service and handling personnel. However, they usually like you to have some idea how to safely handle food. If you mention you were in charge of the snack menu for an adult hockey tournament or of preparing the food at a homeless shelter, that can give you the edge over your competition.

If you've moved to Fullerton already and don't have volunteer experience yet, drop by the Orange County Volunteer Center (www.oneoc.org) to be matched with a nonprofit group.