Are you on the hunt for ways to stand out from other job applicants? Why not give your LinkedIn profile an added boost by adding volunteer experience?
There are a wealth of benefits to listing volunteer experience on your profile. Not only could it give you a competitive edge, but it can also make you more attractive to potential employers.
So if you are ready to start honing your profile, read on! In this article, we will explore what volunteer experience is and how you can add it to your LinkedIn profile. We’ll also provide you with guided tips and examples to ensure you make the most out of including volunteer experience on your profile.
What’s Volunteer Experience on LinkedIn?
It’s the same as it sounds – adding details about volunteer work you’ve completed, including organization names, dates, and your role. This information can be added to your profile to showcase your charitable contributions and to help you stand out from the crowd.
But why should you add this type of experience to your profile? Well, it’s a great way to show recruiters and potential employers that you care about the community and are willing to put your own time and effort into a cause. Plus, it can also be a great way to showcase the skills and knowledge you’ve gained from your philanthropic pursuits.
So how can you add your volunteer experience to your profile? It’s really easy.
- All you have to do is log in to your profile and look for the “Add Profile Section” button in your bio.
- When you click on this, you’ll see an option for “Add Volunteer Experience.”
- From here, you can fill in information about the organizations you’ve volunteered for, your role, and the dates on which you volunteered – plus, you can even include a description of the work you completed and then hit save.
Adding your volunteer experience to your profile can be a great way to showcase your charitable contributions, demonstrate your passion for philanthropy, and set yourself apart from other applicants.
The Benefits of Adding It to Your Resume
Volunteer experience can be a great way to enhance your LinkedIn profile and make you stand out to potential employers. Here are seven reasons why you should add volunteer experience to your LinkedIn profile:
- Adding volunteer experience to your resume shows potential employers that you are passionate and driven. People who take the initiative to volunteer are often seen as hardworking and highly motivated. Showing potential employers that you have a deep commitment to a cause or a specific organization can also help you stand out from the pack.
- Volunteer work is a great way to gain valuable experience and knowledge. It lets you learn about different aspects of the sector and gain valuable insight. This experience can be added to your resume and used to further enhance your profile.
- Working with a cause or organization can help you build a network of contacts that can prove useful to you in the future. Working with a volunteer organization will help you build valuable relationships with other professionals in your field. This can help you stay informed about industry trends and get ahead of the competition.
- Volunteering can also be a great way to learn new skills. Working in a volunteer capacity can give you the opportunity to learn and develop new skills, which can help you stand out in the job market. Showing potential employers that you have a range of skills and experience will definitely give you an edge.
- Finally, volunteering can be a great way to gain some experience that is relevant to your desired career. This experience can be listed on your resume, and it will help make you look more attractive to potential employers because it will show them that you’re empathetic, a skill that is always in demand in organizations.
Adding your volunteering experience can be a great way to show potential employers that you are passionate and motivated.
Tips for Adding It
Volunteering can be an incredibly rewarding experience and can be a great way to build tangible skills while networking with like-minded people. If you want to make sure your volunteer experience isn’t overlooked, follow these 7 tips to add it to your LinkedIn profile.
1. Create a Separate Volunteer/Community Involvement Section: Create a specific section for your volunteer experience and other community involvement. This will make it easier for recruiters and hiring managers to immediately spot your volunteer experience. Plus, you’ll be able to provide more details about the work you’ve done.
2. List the Organization You Volunteered For: Make sure to include the name of the organization, along with a brief description of its mission and your role.
3. Include Your Duration: Specify how long you volunteered for the organization. This will provide context for the impact you had while volunteering.
4. Describe Your Achievements: Describe the key achievements you had during your volunteer experience. These could include tangible results or initiatives you took to help the organization.
5. Use the Right Keywords: Make sure to use the right keywords that relate to your volunteer experience. This will help recruiters match your profile with the right job openings and help you stand out from other applicants.
6. Highlight Your Impact: Talk about what impact you had while volunteering and how it has helped you become the professional you are today. Give examples in numbers like I helped 2x the donations or oversaw a project that fed 500,000 people.
7. Get Your Peers to Endorse You: Finally, make sure to ask your peers and colleagues to endorse your volunteer experience. This will help your profile stand out and will show potential employers how experienced and skilled you are.
Adding volunteer experience to your LinkedIn profile is a smart way to showcase your skills and passions.
Examples of Volunteer Experience
When it comes to volunteer experience, you want to showcase your positive traits and describe your impact. Here are a few examples of volunteer experience to include on your LinkedIn:
1. Mentoring. If you volunteer as a mentor for a local school, business, or charity, include the date of your involvement, the organization you mentored, a brief description of the duties, and the impact you had.
2. Teaching. If you volunteer to teach a class or workshop, add the date of your involvement, the organization, location, and topic you taught, and a brief explanation of the impact you had on your students.
3. Event Planning. Volunteer experience related to event planning is a great opportunity to showcase your organizational skills. Add the date of your involvement, the organization, the event you helped plan, and a description of the impact you had.
4. Fundraising. If you’ve been involved in fundraising activities, give a brief explanation of what you did, the organizations you worked with, and the amount of money your fundraising efforts raised.
5. Animal Shelter Volunteering. Animal shelters are often in need of volunteers and this type of volunteer experience is a great way to show that you’re compassionate and reliable. Include the date of your involvement, the organization, the role you played, and the impact you had.
6. Community Service. Community service is one of the most common types of volunteer work and it’s an excellent opportunity to showcase your commitment to making a difference in your community. Share the date of your involvement, the organization, what you did, and the impact you had.
7. Non-Profit Board of Directors. If you serve on the board of a non-profit organization, include the date of your involvement, the organization, a list of duties, and a brief description of the impact you had.
By adding your volunteer experience to your LinkedIn profile, you can show potential employers and connections the kind of work you’ve been doing outside of your job. You can also demonstrate your commitment to helping others, your problem-solving skills, and your leadership abilities.
