Volunteering can be a great way to add to your professional experience and build your presence online. If you’re a Bristol Volunteer there are a few ways we can help you to enhance your LinkedIn profile and make the most of your volunteer experience.
Get a recommendation from the Bristol Volunteers Team
Recommendations written by a LinkedIn member are a great way to recognise your work and support the skills and experiences you have included in your profile. They can help strengthen your network, show that you are reliable and make your profile stand out to employers.
We can provide a written recommendation for you, acknowledging your skills and experiences as a volunteer. To request a written recommendation from the team on your LinkedIn profile, please complete this form (please note the deadline is 31 July 2021).
Download our University of Bristol LinkedIn banner
Employers look for a professional shot and an active profile. We’ve created a new LinkedIn banner image which you can download here and add to your profile, to help you look like a pro and showcase your Bristol credentials.
You should also make sure your profile picture is professional and appropriate for your desired career path. The best profile pictures are those where you are on your own, and don’t forget you are allowed to smile!
Find out more about how to add, edit, change or delete your LinkedIn profile picture.
An easy way to get more active on LinkedIn and increase your visibility is to like and share the news that inspires you – keep up to date with news and updates from the University of Bristol on LinkedIn by following us here.
Connections are an important part of growing your network
You never know when your connections may be able to help you with your professional development, and when you could help with theirs. Get started by connecting with other Bristol Volunteers and by reading through LinkedIn’s advice for making more connections.
You can find fellow alumni on LinkedIn by going to our school page and clicking on ‘see alumni’. And don’t forget you can join Bristol Connects – another great way to build your professional network.
Include your volunteering experience
Once you’ve volunteered with us, you can add your volunteer experience onto your LinkedIn profile. Completing this section is important as it not only shows what you have done, but that you have taken the time to clearly outline how this has developed your skill set. It will help recruiters and new contacts find you and will help you stand out to employers. This is your opportunity to show off the hard work and volunteering hours you have done!
Remember to give an overview of your experiences, using keywords and keeping it clear and concise. Watch out for any spelling errors and ensure that you use the correct tense.
Find out more about how to add, edit or order your experience on LinkedIn.
If you are a recent graduate (up to three years out) then you can access all of the Careers Service resources, including an introduction video on using LinkedIn, using LinkedIn to network and a ‘Top Tips’ tutorial guide.
If you have any questions, please email alumni-volunteers@bristol.ac.uk.
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