5 Tips to Make your Career Page a Volunteer Magnet
While many nonprofits think of LinkedIn as a platform for hiring staff or networking with funders, it can also be a powerful tool for volunteer recruitment. In fact, research shows LinkedIn users are significantly more likely than the average internet user to say they have volunteered in the past or do so currently (71% vs. 55%).
One of the ways that organizations can stand out to potential new volunteers – and build continued trust with existing volunteers – is through a LinkedIn Career Page that is optimized for recruiting volunteers in addition to employees.
Attracting volunteers to your nonprofit’s Career Page on LinkedIn
With the right approach, nonprofits can create a Career Page that is engaging and relevant for both volunteers and employees.
Tailor your message to purpose
Although there is plenty of overlap, volunteers tend to have a different set of priorities compared to prospective employees. While job seekers may be interested in learning about compensation, career growth, and culture fit, future volunteers may be more concerned with purpose, community, and the ability to make a meaningful impact. To ensure your message resonates with potential volunteers, try to include these qualities in your Career Page content.
Career Page Tips:
Create a dedicated section or sub-page focused on volunteer opportunities and impact.
Use language that appeals to altruism, growth, and flexibility.
Feature messaging like that highlights how volunteers can use their skills to drive change and make a difference.
Showcase volunteer impact with visual storytelling
Don’t just tell volunteers about the opportunities available to them at your nonprofit, show them. Visual storytelling can be a powerful tool for cause-driven organizations, and Career Pages are a great place to let mission-focused imagery and videos shine. Help potential contributors envision their role with your nonprofit by seeing and hearing from others who’ve made an impact.
Career Page Tips:
Include short videos or photo carousels of volunteers in action.
Feature testimonials from current or past volunteers describing their experiences
Create infographics showing impact (e.g., “500+ hours volunteered last year”).
Promote flexibility on your Career Page
Data shows that flexibility is key for aspiring volunteers. According to a 2023 Time Well Spent survey from The National Council for Voluntary Organisations, "not pressured to give more time" was the second-most highly valued statement for volunteers after "making a difference."
According to the report, “This suggests that while people are committed to wanting to make a positive impact [...] it is important for them to feel they are giving their time freely.” With this insight in mind, you can use the content on your Careers Page to convey a low-pressure volunteer experience, underscoring the concrete value that volunteers will gain.
Career Page Tips:
Clearly outline time commitments and expectations in your volunteer role descriptions.
List tangible benefits like leadership opportunities, resume-building experience, and training access.
Get specific in detailing the skills you help volunteers build and how those skills can benefit a broader career journey.
Use LinkedIn features to build a volunteer pipeline
You can use your Career Page to cultivate a pipeline of qualified candidates for future volunteer needs, as well as to fill current roles. Including an “I’m interested” button as a call-to-action on your Career Page will add those who click to a LinkedIn Recruiter list for future outreach. These individuals will also receive notifications with relevant open opportunities and content.
Career Page Tips
Encourage people to opt in for notifications about future volunteer opportunities.
Follow up with personalized InMails or updates to keep them engaged.
Empower current and past volunteers to help spread the word
Current and past volunteers have already demonstrated a desire to support your cause, and small steps like sharing a link in their network can go a long way. If you are celebrating and championing your volunteers on the Career Page, they may be all the more motivated to help amplify its reach.
Career Page Tips
Clearly communicate to volunteers the value of sharing your nonprofit’s Career Page in their networks.
Provide customizable templates to make it easy for them to create and share the Career Page link or job postings.
Turn interest into impact with Career Pages
By showcasing real stories and making it easy for people to raise their hand and get involved, your nonprofit’s Career Page can help bridge the gap between good intentions and meaningful action.
Volunteers are out there. They’re eager, skilled, and looking for purpose. It’s time to make sure your Career Page is ready to welcome them.
Looking for inspiration? Check out these four examples of nonprofit Career Pages that inspire on LinkedIn.
