You can now beef up your LinkedIn profile by adding any volunteer experience, a list of causes that you care about, and any organizations you support.

After all, volunteering is as good for your career as it is for those you help. And your volunteer efforts are one more way to generate publicity.

In this guide, we will explore how to add volunteer experience to LinkedIn, and reasons why you should do so.

Let’s get started!

How to Add Volunteer Experience to LinkedIn: Step-by-Step Guide

Here’s how to add this new section to your Profile.

Step 1: Log into Your Account.

Step 2: In the Menu bar at the top, click on Profile > Edit Profile.

Step 3: Scroll down to just before the Summary and click on “Add Sections.”

add volunteering to linkedin profile

Step 4: On the left, under Sections, click on Volunteer Experience & Causes

add volunteering to linkedin profile

Step 5: Add your volunteer experience and causes you care about.

Step 6: Click on Add to Profile

add volunteering to linkedin

Why You Should Add Volunteer Experience to Your LinkedIn Profile?

Adding volunteer experience to your LinkedIn profile is beneficial for several reasons:

  1. Showcases a Well-Rounded Character: Volunteer experience demonstrates that you have interests and commitments outside of your professional career. This can show you as a more well-rounded and socially responsible individual.
  2. Highlights Transferable Skills: Volunteering often involves skills that are relevant to professional roles, such as teamwork, leadership, problem-solving, and communication. Including these experiences can showcase these skills.
  3. Networking Opportunities: Volunteering connects you with people from various walks of life, expanding your network. Connections made through volunteer work can lead to professional opportunities and personal growth.
  4. Demonstrates Commitment and Passion: It shows potential employers or connections that you are dedicated to causes you care about, suggesting a strong work ethic and passion.
  5. Fills Employment Gaps: If you have periods of unemployment, volunteer work can fill these gaps and show that you were actively engaged in productive activities.
  6. Cultural and Social Awareness: It reflects your awareness of social issues and cultural diversity, which is increasingly valued in global and multicultural workplaces.
  7. Enhances Personal Branding: It adds depth to your personal brand, helping you stand out from others who may only showcase their academic and professional achievements.
  8. Appeals to Socially Responsible Employers: Many companies are looking for employees who not only have the skills for the job but also align with their corporate social responsibility values.
  9. Personal Fulfillment: Sharing your volunteer experiences can be personally fulfilling and can encourage others in your network to engage in similar work, fostering a community of social responsibility.

Including volunteer experience in your LinkedIn profile is not just about enhancing your professional image, but it’s also about reflecting your personal values, skills, and contributions to the community.

8 Reasons Why Recruiters Are Looking for Volunteer Experience in Candidates

Recruiters often prefer candidates with volunteer experience for several key reasons:

  1. Demonstration of Soft Skills: Volunteer work often requires skills like empathy, communication, teamwork, and adaptability. These are highly valued in the workplace and can be difficult to gauge through traditional work experiences alone.
  2. Evidence of Initiative and Proactivity: Volunteering shows that a candidate takes the initiative to go beyond their basic job requirements. This proactive attitude is attractive to employers, as it often translates into a strong work ethic in the professional setting.
  3. Commitment and Reliability: Regular volunteer work demonstrates commitment and reliability, traits that are essential in any employee. It shows that the candidate can be depended upon to see tasks through to completion.
  4. Diverse Experiences and Perspectives: Volunteering, especially in roles or organizations that differ significantly from a candidate’s primary career, provides a breadth of experience and a unique perspective, contributing to a more diverse and adaptable workforce.
  5. Alignment with Company Values: Many organizations are committed to social responsibility and community involvement. Candidates with volunteer experience may align better with these values, indicating a good cultural fit.
  6. Leadership Skills: Volunteer roles often require leadership skills, whether in organizing events, leading teams, or managing projects. These experiences can be indicative of a candidate’s potential for leadership roles within the organization.
  7. Networking and Relationships: Volunteering can expand a candidate’s professional network, providing connections and relationships that can be beneficial in the corporate world.
  8. Passion and Motivation: Engaging in volunteer work often indicates a candidate’s passion and motivation, traits that are desirable in any role. It shows that they are willing to invest their time and energy into activities they believe in, which can translate to greater job satisfaction and productivity.

Our Top 10 Tips for Adding Volunteer Experience to LinkedIn

Here are some tips to help you add your volunteer experience to LinkedIn:

  1. Be Selective: Choose volunteer experiences that are relevant to your career goals or showcase skills that are transferable to your professional life. Prioritize experiences that demonstrate leadership, teamwork, initiative, and other qualities valued in your field.
  2. Detail Your Role and Responsibilities: Clearly articulate the role you played and the responsibilities you had during your volunteer experience. This helps others understand the skills and experiences you gained.
  3. Highlight Achievements and Impact: Mention any specific achievements or the impact of your work. For example, if you helped raise a certain amount of money for a cause or organized a successful event, include these details.
  4. Use Professional Language: Even though it’s volunteer work, describe your experience using professional language. This reinforces the professional nature of your skills and contributions.
  5. Add Quantifiable Results: Where possible, quantify your achievements or the impact of your volunteer work, such as numbers served, funds raised, or projects completed.
  6. Include Duration and Commitment Level: Mention how long you were involved with the organization and the extent of your commitment (e.g., hours per week or month). This gives a better sense of your dedication and time management skills.
  7. Link to the Organization: If the organization you volunteered with has a LinkedIn presence, link to their profile. This adds credibility and context to your experience.
  8. Use Multimedia: If you have photos or videos from your volunteer experiences, consider adding them to your profile. This can make your contributions more tangible and engaging.
  9. Update Regularly: Keep your volunteer section up-to-date. As you gain more experiences, add them to your profile to keep it current and reflective of your ongoing commitment to volunteering.
  10. Get Recommendations: If possible, get recommendations from people you volunteered with or for, especially if they can speak to your skills and contributions. This adds a level of validation to your experience.

Final Thoughts

When you add volunteer experience to your LinkedIn profile, you not only showcase a diverse range of skills and a commitment to community involvement, but also enhance your appeal to potential employers who value social responsibility.

This step demonstrates your well-rounded character and dedication, potentially leading to new networking and career opportunities.

In essence, choosing to add volunteer experience to your LinkedIn profile is a strategic move that can significantly enrich your professional image and prospects.