Last year after forty years of full-time senior executive roles, and having just turned 60, I thought it was time for a change in direction. I decided to aim for a portfolio mix of charity/volunteering, Non-Executive Director (NED) roles and consultancy (alongside several hobbies).
I now have a good mixture of roles that are keeping me busy. So, what tips do I have for anyone thinking of including volunteering in a portfolio career?
- Network widely and extensively. Whilst my main charity and NED roles came via advertised jobs, some were also through an exec search company I’d already contacted in the early days. Make your existing contacts aware of your role-hunting, as it’s often a contact of a contact that provides the link. I came to Pilotlight via two separate leads, each of them one step removed from me. So my key tip is network extensively; explain to your contacts – face to face or over the phone rather than email – you’re in the market, meet for lots of coffees and be patient as the results won't be instant.
- Don't rush in. Don’t take the first offer unless it genuinely feels right for you. NED appointments are often for 3 years, so don’t commit unless you feel it is the right role. This is especially true and important for volunteering roles, as charities will depend on you and you can't be half-hearted. So only accept a role if you really want it.
- Avoid over-commitment. NED roles often come with multiple committee membership. Test the time required and only take on what you genuinely have time for. And with charities, be aware that if you are any good, charities will ask you to do more and more. Be prepared to say no to the extra ‘good things’ that you’re likely to get asked to do. Don’t over-extend yourself.
- Leave some ‘me and family time’. Unless you really are trying to fill every day of the week with paid and unpaid activity, leave space for yourself and those important to you!
So there are my four tips: networking; take your time; don’t overcommit; leave yourself some down time.
Finally, after a lifetime of paid work and not much time for anything else, using my skills to work with the charity sector does feel really good! Working with charities is not only very rewarding it can also allow you to develop your own skills as they are just as complex and challenging as any business – in some ways even more so! So I would definitely recommend volunteering as a key part of any portfolio career.
By Les Mosco
Les Mosco (pictured) is an experienced board director in both the public and private sectors and owner of Commercial Strategies Limited. He has been a Pilotlighter since the start of 2015.