Recruiting volunteers
With a plan for volunteers in place, you can begin the task of recruitment. During the workshops, the co-design team emphasised the importance of this stage of the volunteer experience.
‘Recruitment is the big piece - everything is recruitment related’
It is the start of a volunteer’s experience with your organisation and first impressions count. If a multicultural volunteer can feel included from the beginning then it will establish a positive relationship that can be further enhanced during their time with you.
The information you’ve gathered while Preparing for Volunteers will help guide where you advertise the roles. It is common for organisations to advertise online (we have links to national websites that advertise volunteer roles in our Tools & Resources section), however that is just one option. Community newsletters, Volunteer Resource Centres (like Volunteer West), international college, and Neighbourhood Houses are all great places to promote a role. Volunteer West have a fact sheet with more ideas on where to recruit from.
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TIP – People have different types of digital literacy so don’t just rely on online platforms for your ads.
Again, think about the language used in the advertisement. It should align with your Position Description, use simple English, clearly outline the role and be Culturally Appropriate.
Where possible, translate the role into the languages of your local multicultural communities.
Communicate timeframes so applicants know:
When they will be contacted about the role
How long the recruitment process will take.
When interviews will be held.
‘How easy/simple/convenient is the application process?’
The multicultural communities you’ve engaged can also help you promote a role. Ask them to share it through their networks. A role may be more attractive if it is promoted by community leaders. Encourage existing volunteers to pass on information to their friends and family. Word of mouth is a powerful tool – according to The Australian Bureau of Statistics Voluntary Work Survey, over 64% of volunteers first became involved through someone they know or because they were asked to volunteer.
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TIP – Hold information sessions prior to commencing interviews to give applicants the chance to learn more about your organisation and ask any questions they may have.
When the time comes to interview volunteers consider the following things:
Use simple English when you speak. You can send applicants interview questions before the day to give them time to prepare answers.
Be flexible with your interview times.
Accommodate the needs of applicants – allow them to bring their children or a friend/family member to help them.
Offer the use of a translation service.
Keep in mind volunteer expectations. Ask what their interests are so it can translate into volunteer work.
Interviews provide a good opportunity to clarify the expectations of the role and relay the benefits it will bring. Developing visual social scripts are helpful tools to assist with this.
Head to the Practicing Cultural Inclusion module for more content that can help you conduct culturally appropriate interviews.
For more information about recruitment, check out Volunteer Australia’s fact sheet on Involving Volunteers from Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Backgrounds.