By Amber Alarid, JVA Consulting

As I have spoken with friends who are looking to get more involved in their favorite causes, or who have recently started volunteering, I have come to recognize common factors young professionals should consider before choosing a volunteer site or position.

Do the activities fit into your schedule?

The most important thing to consider before making a commitment to the organization is whether or not you will be able to fulfill the obligations. If volunteers are needed on a specific day or at a specific time that does not work for you, that is important to know up front. Be sure to ask about the hours of operation and whether or not volunteer opportunities are available or expected outside those times. Another question you should ask up front is whether or not there is flexibility in days and times you can volunteer (in case committing to one particular time doesn’t work for you).

Are you comfortable with the duties?

While I applaud and encourage stepping outside your comfort zone, you don’t want to agree to something you might not want to follow through with. You should be sure you are comfortable working with the appropriate population, asking for money (if that is something you agree to), or creating content that will be made public (if you agree to help with social media or marketing content, for example).

What are some of the criteria you have for choosing a volunteer site that you are perfect for? Please share your thoughts in the comments section below.