Volunteering may get you a head-start on your career and increase your chances of getting hired, according to a study commissioned by Oxfam.

The study conducted by One Poll and commissioned by the Oxford-based charity found that more than 80 per cent of employers consider volunteers to be better quality job candidates.

Bosses believed that volunteers had better social skills, were good team players, more hardworking and self-motivated than other applicants.

Three quarters of hirers said that given the choice between two identical candidates they would select the person with a track record of giving up their free time.

Oxfam’s trading director Andrew Horton said: “This new research is proof volunteering massively boosts a person’s employability, making volunteering a really positive choice for anyone wanting to change jobs or progress their career.

“Each Oxfam job relies on its team of volunteers, who work together to give customers a rewarding shopping experience, and raise money to fight extreme poverty around the world.

“Our volunteers bring a huge array of skills to the job and receive the support they need to develop new skills too.

“Window dressing, working behind the till, sorting donations, organising pop-up shop events, managing our social media, there are so many ways to get involved and enhance your CV at the same time.”

The survey looked at 500 employers across a number of professional sectors.

Oxfam relies on some 22,000 volunteers to staff its thousands of shops across the country.