How to Add Volunteer Experience on LinkedIn: A Complete Guide
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In today’s competitive job market, standing out on LinkedIn requires more than just listing your work experience and education. One often overlooked yet powerful feature is the volunteer experience section. Many hiring managers value volunteer work on resumes and LinkedIn profiles, as it can demonstrate additional skills and community engagement. Adding volunteer experience to your profile can help give potential employers a fuller picture of your capabilities and character. Let’s explore how to add and make the most of your volunteer experience on LinkedIn.
Why Volunteer Experience Matters on LinkedIn
Adding volunteer work to your LinkedIn profile creates a more complete professional image. And here’s why it’s worth your time:
Professional Growth: Volunteer work shows continuous learning and skill development outside your regular job. It’s particularly valuable for students and recent graduates building their experience.
Character and Values: It demonstrates social responsibility and commitment to causes, traits highly valued by employers. According to NACE’s Job Outlook Survey, 80% of employers seek candidates who show leadership through community involvement.
Network Expansion: Volunteering connects you with professionals across different industries, opening doors to new opportunities. These connections often lead to meaningful professional relationships.
Employment Gaps: For those between jobs or returning to work, volunteer experience shows continued engagement and skill maintenance during career transitions.
Skill Development: Many volunteer roles build transferable skills like project management, leadership, and communication – all valuable in any workplace.
Step-by-Step Instructions to Add Volunteer Experience on LinkedIn
Here’s how to add the volunteering experience section to your LinkedIn profile:
Desktop Method
1. Sign in to your LinkedIn account, click “Me” and go to “View Profile”
2. Select “Add profile section”, choose “Additional” from the dropdown menu, and choose “Additional” from the dropdown menu
3. Enter the organization name, role, cause, dates, etc., write a description of your responsibilities, then add relevant media and click “Save”.
Mobile App Method
- Open the LinkedIn app
- Tap your profile picture
- Scroll to “Add profile section”
- Select “Volunteer Experience”
- Fill in the required information
- Add description and skills
- Tap “Save”
Tips for Making Your Volunteer Work Stand Out
Choose Relevant Experience
Not all volunteer work needs to be on your LinkedIn profile. Select experiences that:
- Connect to your career goals
- Show valuable transferable skills
- Demonstrate consistent community involvement
- Fill employment gaps effectively
Write Professional Descriptions
Structure your volunteer descriptions like job entries:
- Start with a clear role title (e.g., “Event Coordinator” instead of just “Volunteer”)
- Include the organization’s name and duration of service
- Write 2-3 impactful statements about your responsibilities and achievements
Example: “Fundraising Coordinator | Local Animal Shelter | Jan 2023 – Present
- Planned and executed quarterly fundraising events, raising $50,000 annually
- Managed a team of 15 volunteers for community outreach programs
- Developed social media campaign reaching 10,000+ followers”
Quantify Your Impact
Turn general statements into powerful achievements:
- Before: “Helped with fundraising events”
- After: “Raised $25,000 through three annual fundraising events”
Other examples:
- “Trained 20+ new volunteers on shelter protocols”
- “Increased monthly donations by 30% through email campaigns”
- “Coordinated weekly food distributions for 200+ families”
Link Skills to Professional Goals
Show how volunteer work builds professional capabilities:
- Project Management: “Led renovation project for community center”
- Leadership: “Supervised team of 10 youth mentors”
- Communication: “Created monthly newsletter reaching 5,000 subscribers”
Keep Information Current
Maintain your volunteer section by:
- Updating roles and responsibilities regularly
- Adding new achievements as they occur
- Removing outdated or less relevant experiences
- Including current volunteer commitments
Add Supporting Details
Enhance your volunteer experience with the following:
- Photos from events (when appropriate)
- Links to organization websites
- Recommendations from volunteer supervisors
- Certificates or recognition received
Remember: Present your volunteer work with the same professionalism as your paid experience. It’s not just about what you did, but how your contributions made a difference.
Here’s an example of a professional and meaningful volunteer experience:
How to Find Volunteer Opportunities
Don’t know where to find suitable volunteer opportunities? Here are a few methods for you to choose from:
Traditional Volunteering
- Local food banks and homeless shelters
- Animal rescue organizations
- Schools and libraries
- Religious organizations
- Community centers
Virtual Volunteering
Virtual volunteering allows you to contribute your time and skills remotely, making it perfect for those with busy schedules or limited local opportunities. Here are some popular platforms:
- A platform connecting volunteers with UN organizations and NGOs worldwide
- Opportunities include translation, writing, research, and project management
- No minimum time commitment; work on your own schedule
- World’s largest volunteer network
- Offers both virtual and in-person opportunities
- Projects range from mentoring to digital marketing
- Search opportunities by skills and interest areas
- Focus on youth engagement and social change
- Run digital campaigns and volunteer projects
- Great for building leadership and project management skills
- Perfect for students and young professionals
Frequently Asked Questions About Adding Volunteer Experience on LinkedIn
Q: Where does volunteer experience appear on LinkedIn?
A: Volunteer experience appears in its own section on your profile, separate from work experience. You can find it under “Additional Information.”
Q: Should I list volunteer work under the Experience or Volunteer section?
A: If the volunteer work directly relates to your career path or filled an employment gap, you might include it in both sections. However, typically it belongs in the volunteer section.
Q: What if my volunteer work was a long time ago?
A: Include volunteer work from the past 5-10 years unless earlier experience is particularly relevant or impressive.
Q: How do I add skills from volunteer work?
A: When adding volunteer experience, LinkedIn allows you to list skills developed. These skills can then be endorsed by your connections.
Q: Can I get recommendations for volunteer work?
A: Yes, you can request recommendations from volunteer supervisors or colleagues, just as you would for professional experience.
Q: What if I volunteer for multiple organizations?
A: List each organization separately, prioritizing those most relevant to your career goals or current roles.
Conclusion
Adding volunteer work to LinkedIn helps build a complete professional profile. When you present your volunteer work, you show employers more than just your paid work experience. It displays your values, shows your drive, and adds skills that can make you different from other job seekers.
Take time to write about what you did, include numbers when possible, and list the skills you learned. Keep your volunteer section up to date and match it with your career goals. Start updating your LinkedIn profile today – your volunteer work might be just what makes you stand out to your next employer.
Looking to improve your entire LinkedIn presence? Jobright.ai analyzes your profile and provides personalized suggestions to make your volunteer experience work harder for your career goals. This 24/7 AI-powered platform helps ensure your volunteer work tells a compelling story that resonates with potential employers.