AidanAccording to recent statistics from LinkedIn, showcasing board membership on your LinkedIn profile can significantly enhance your professional credibility and networking opportunities. In fact, professionals with board experience are 75% more likely to be contacted by recruiters and receive relevant job offers. (Source: LinkedIn’s official blog).
By effectively listing your board memberships on LinkedIn, you can demonstrate your leadership skills, industry expertise, and commitment to governance roles, attracting potential employers, business partners, and influential connections.
In this guide, we will explore the steps to accurately and compellingly list board memberships on your LinkedIn profile, maximizing your visibility and professional impact.
step-by-step process of How To List Board Membership On Linkedin
Step 1: Log in to your LinkedIn account
To get started with listing your board membership on LinkedIn, you need to log in to your LinkedIn account.
Follow these simple steps:
1. Open LinkedIn on your preferred web browser:
Launch your web browser and navigate to the LinkedIn website (www.linkedin.com).
2. Enter your login credentials:
On the LinkedIn homepage, locate the login section. Enter your email address or phone number associated with your LinkedIn account, followed by your password.
3. Access your account:
Click on the “Sign In” button or press Enter to log in to your LinkedIn account. You will be directed to your LinkedIn homepage.
Logging in is the first essential step that allows you to access your LinkedIn profile and make the necessary updates to list your board membership.
Step 2: Navigate to your profile
To begin listing your board membership on LinkedIn, follow these simple instructions to access your profile page:
1. Click on your profile picture or the “Me” icon:
Locate your profile picture, usually displayed in the top right corner of the LinkedIn website, or click on the “Me” icon in the navigation bar. This will direct you to your personal profile page.
2. Access your profile page:
Upon clicking on your profile picture or the “Me” icon, you will be taken directly to your profile page. Here, you can view and edit your profile information, including adding your board membership details.
Navigating to your profile is the initial step towards listing your board membership on LinkedIn.
Step 3: Click on the “Add profile section” button
To begin listing your board membership on LinkedIn, follow these steps:
1. Locate the “Add profile section” button:
On your LinkedIn profile page, look for the blue “Add profile section” button. It is typically found near the top of your profile, below your profile picture and headline.
2. Click on the button:
Click on the “Add profile section” button, and a dropdown menu will appear, displaying various options to add sections to your profile.
This initial step is crucial as it allows you to access the sections where you can add and highlight your board membership, enhancing your professional presence on LinkedIn.
Step 4: Select “Volunteer Experience”
When adding board memberships to your LinkedIn profile, it is important to utilize the “Volunteer Experience” section.
This specific section allows you to highlight not only your board memberships but also other voluntary positions you have held.
Here’s a brief discussion of this step:
Selecting the “Volunteer Experience” option
- Locate the “Add profile section” button: On your LinkedIn profile page, find the blue “Add profile section” button.
- Choose “Volunteer Experience” from the dropdown menu: Click on the button and select the “Volunteer Experience” option from the dropdown menu.
- Highlight board memberships and more: This section enables you to showcase your board memberships as well as other voluntary roles you have undertaken, such as committee memberships, nonprofit work, or community involvement.
By selecting the “Volunteer Experience” option, you can effectively emphasize your board memberships and voluntary positions, demonstrating your commitment to social impact and professional engagement on LinkedIn.
Step 5: Provide the organization name
To list your board membership on LinkedIn, you need to accurately enter the organization name in the designated field. Follow these guidelines for this step:
1. Locate the “Organization” field:
On your LinkedIn profile, click on the “Add profile section” button and select “Volunteer Experience.”
2. Enter the organization name:
In the “Organization” field, type in the name of the board or organization you are a member of. Be precise and ensure correct spelling and formatting.
3. Be specific:
Include any relevant details that help identify the organization. This could include the full name, any abbreviations commonly used, or variations of the organization name if applicable.
By accurately providing the organization name, you establish a clear connection between your board membership and the respective organization, enhancing your profile’s credibility and searchability on LinkedIn.
Step 6: Enter your position
When listing your board membership on LinkedIn, it’s crucial to accurately specify your role or position on the board.
Follow these guidelines:
1. Select the “Position” field:
In the “Volunteer Experience” section of your LinkedIn profile, locate the “Position” field.
2. Specify your role:
Enter the specific title or role that represents your position on the board. Common examples include “Board Member,” “Director,” “Chairperson,” or any other relevant designation.
3. Be concise and clear:
Ensure that the position you enter effectively communicates your level of responsibility and influence within the board. Use concise language to convey your role without ambiguity.
By clearly indicating your position on the board, you provide valuable information to viewers of your LinkedIn profile, allowing them to understand your level of authority and involvement in the organization.
Step 7: Add the duration
When listing your board membership on LinkedIn, it is crucial to include the duration of your involvement.
This helps provide a clear timeline of your experience and demonstrates your commitment to the organization.
Here’s how to proceed:
1. Fill in the “From” and “To” fields:
Enter the starting and ending dates of your board membership in the designated “From” and “To” fields. This ensures that your profile reflects the specific timeframe during which you served on the board.
2. Select “I currently serve here” if applicable:
If you are currently serving on the board and have not yet concluded your membership, select the “I currently serve here” option. This indicates that your involvement is ongoing and helps present your current position accurately.
Including the duration of your board membership on LinkedIn adds valuable context to your profile and highlights the length of your engagement with the organization. It provides a comprehensive overview of your professional experience and helps others understand the scope of your contributions.
step 8: Describe your responsibilities and achievements
When listing your board membership on LinkedIn, the “Description” field offers an opportunity to showcase your responsibilities, achievements, and contributions.
Here’s how to create a compelling overview:
Be concise and compelling
In the “Description” field, provide a concise and engaging summary of your board membership experience. Use the following guidelines to craft an impactful description:
Outline responsibilities: Clearly articulate the key responsibilities you held as a board member. Mention your involvement in strategic decision-making, governance, oversight, or any other relevant duties.
Highlight achievements: Showcase notable accomplishments and achievements during your board tenure. This could include successful fundraising efforts, the implementation of impactful policies, or significant contributions to organizational growth.
Emphasize contributions: Highlight how your contributions positively impacted the board, organization, or community. Discuss initiatives you spearheaded, collaborations you facilitated, or innovative solutions you brought forth.
Use quantifiable results: Whenever possible, include measurable outcomes or statistics to quantify your impact. This adds credibility and demonstrates tangible results.
Tailor to your audience: Consider the audience you want to impress, such as potential employers, partners, or stakeholders. Customize your description to align with their interests and showcase how your board membership experience aligns with their needs.
Remember, the goal is to capture attention and create a compelling narrative around your responsibilities, achievements, and contributions as a board member. By effectively describing your role, you can leave a lasting impression on those viewing your LinkedIn profile.
step 9: Include Relevant Keywords
To optimize the visibility of your board membership on LinkedIn, incorporating relevant keywords is crucial.
By using industry-specific terms and phrases, you can increase the chances of your profile appearing in search results.
Here’s how to effectively include relevant keywords:
Choose industry-specific keywords
Identify keywords that are commonly used within your industry or board membership context. Consider terms related to your role, the industry you operate in, specific responsibilities, or relevant skills.
Strategically place keywords
Integrate these keywords naturally within your board membership description and throughout your LinkedIn profile. Incorporate them in the “Volunteer Experience” section, headline, summary, and other applicable sections.
Avoid keyword stuffing
While keywords are important, avoid overloading your profile with excessive or irrelevant terms. Aim for a balanced and coherent description that reads well and provides a clear understanding of your board membership.
Stay authentic and genuine
Ensure that the keywords you use accurately reflect your board membership and professional expertise. Be genuine in your representation to maintain credibility and attract connections and opportunities that align with your actual experience.
By incorporating relevant keywords strategically, you enhance the discoverability of your LinkedIn profile, making it easier for others to find and connect with you based on your board membership and industry involvement.
Step 10: Save your changes
After entering all the required information to list your board membership on LinkedIn, it’s important to save your changes to ensure that the updates are applied to your profile.
Here’s how to proceed:
1. Review the entered details:
Before saving, take a moment to review the information you have provided. Ensure that the organization name, position, duration, and description accurately reflect your board membership experience.
2. Click on the “Save” button:
Once you are satisfied with the entered information, locate the “Save” button on the LinkedIn profile editing page. Click on it to save the changes you have made.
3. Verify the changes:
After saving, LinkedIn will update your profile to include the newly listed board membership. Verify that the changes have been applied correctly by visiting your profile and checking the “Volunteer Experience” section.
By saving your changes, you ensure that your board membership is prominently displayed on your LinkedIn profile, allowing others to recognize your professional involvement and expertise.
In conclusion, knowing how to effectively list board membership on LinkedIn is crucial for professionals looking to enhance their professional presence and network. By following the step-by-step process outlined above, you can accurately showcase your board membership experience on your LinkedIn profile.
Remember to provide the organization name, position, duration, and a compelling description of your responsibilities and achievements. By listing your board memberships, you can establish credibility, highlight your industry involvement, and attract connections from influential professionals within your field. Utilize this valuable feature on LinkedIn to strengthen your professional brand and expand your opportunities within your industry.
