Volunteering has become a popular theme here lately at the JobMonkey blog. The New York Times reported earlier this week on the burgeoning ranks of volunteers in New York City. Laid-off workers are turning in droves to volunteer organizations to help them fill their time and contribute to people in need, while still aggressively looking for a new job. Remember this post from last week about how to volunteer your way into a new job? I’m thinking some of those New York volunteers might be hoping to network, too, while serving up soup or rescuing stray animals. Nothing wrong with that! I...

We talk a lot here on the JobMonkey blog about the importance of networking. And really, I don’t think the impact of effective networking can be underestimated: Career experts tell us that 60-80% of all new jobs are landed through networking connections. But what if you are already talking to everyone you know (and everyone they know), regularly updating your profile on LinkedIn, attending networking parties, and participating in industry events … and yet you still haven’t found a job? How about this non-conventional networking idea: Volunteering? The personal and professional...

Are you an animal lover?  If you are, then you might be able to turn your passion for furry creatures into a full-fledged career. From biologists to veterinarians and animal activists to professional pet walkers, JobMonkey’s Animal Jobs section has the lowdown on the trove of job opportunities in animal-related fields.  Articles tell you about educational requirements, salary ranges, and job descriptions.  You can also head right over to the Animal Job Board to start looking for your perfect animal job. ...