Understanding the Volunteer Experience Section on LinkedIn
LinkedIn, transforming the way professionals build and showcase their career trajectory, has a significant feature many users often overlook: the Volunteer Experience section. This section allows users to highlight unpaid roles or positions held for causes they genuinely care about.
Why should a LinkedIn Profile Feature Volunteer Experience?
LinkedIn provides a comprehensive platform to not only exhibit one’s professional engagements but also reveal a more rounded image of an individual’s character by shedding light on personal aspects that might not otherwise be visible through their primary work. Highlighting your commitment to volunteer work may very well be that distinctive element that informs potential employers, recruiters, and network connections of your personal values, dedication, and skills gained outside of work.
Below are a few reasons to consider in detailing your volunteer experience on your LinkedIn profile:
1. Showcase of Personal Values and Interests:
Volunteering efforts can reveal core personal values, interests, and passion. Employers, often are invested in hiring individuals whose personal beliefs align with their corporate culture.
2. Development of Transferable Skills:
Volunteer positions often require one to take on tasks and responsibilities that allow the development or enhancement of skills. These newly acquired abilities can be transferrable to future professional positions.
3. Networking Opportunities:
Volunteering can sometimes be a window of opportunities, allowing individuals to interact with inspiring people or organizations that could add immeasurable value to their professional life.
How to Add Volunteer Experience to Your LinkedIn Profile?
Now that you know the importance of including your volunteer experience on LinkedIn, how do you go about adding it? We have made it simple with step by-step instructions:
1. Log into your LinkedIn account and navigate to your profile.
2. Scroll to the ‘Volunteer Experience & Causes’ section and click on ‘Add volunteer experience.’ Temporarily, it might be ‘Accomplishments’ if you have never entered any volunteer work before.
3. A dialog box will open. Enter the ‘Role,’ ‘Organization,’ ‘Cause,’ ‘Dates’ and the ‘Description’ of your volunteer work. Please remember to elaborate on how this experience enhanced your skills or contributed to the community.
4. If you are currently volunteering or the dates are not specific, you can leave the ‘dates’ section empty.
5. Click ‘Save.’
Remember, every bit of relevant experience can add value to your profile, and this includes voluntary work. Even if it’s insignificant in your eyes, it could be just the thing that differentiates you from another professional in your field.
Examples of How to Write Volunteer Experience on LinkedIn
Knowing how to effectively write about your volunteer experience can be a game-changer. Here are a few examples:
Example 1: For an ongoing experience
‘Currently, I am volunteering at XYZ Charity Organization where I assist in planning and implementing community welfare programs. This role allows me to combine my leadership skills with my passion for social work.’
Example 2: For a past experience
‘Volunteered as an event planner for ABC Fundraising event, where I successfully organized events that raised over $10,000 for cancer research.’
Example 3: For a skill-focused experience
‘During my time at DEF, I developed strong communication and project management skills by coordinating awareness campaigns, reaching over 4000 people.’
To wrap it up, the Volunteer Experience section on LinkedIn is not just about filling space on your profile, but a way to effectively narrate your story, reflect your personality, and showcase your skills. Make the most of this space, and help your LinkedIn profile work for you!