Hosts on Workaway receive applications by the dozen.
Therefore, a Workaway Profile needs to be set up correctly to have the best chance of catching the host’s attention.
A profile is a glimpse of who the person is. This is the first impression that the potential hosts have to judge a volunteer on.
Having a good profile is the best way to start to the application process.
I love using Workaway to slow travel the world.
Here are my tips on how you can give the best possible first impression.
Disclaimer: This site contains affiliate links that will cost you nothing extra but offer me a little commission for any purchases made. These help me continue to offer helpful tips. Thank you so much for your support.
#1 Honesty
Honesty is the best policy. When beginning to create a Workaway profile, honesty is a must.
It is essential to be open and real with what skills and capabilities an individual has.
This is not an online dating profile.
Exaggerating abilities will not help in any way as the daily tasks will revolve around what expertise is listed on the profile.
Being truthful saves everyone’s time!
Read my article about how much Workaway costs before signing up for Workaway or doing any volunteering or cultural exchange.
Not only does it lay out the initial sign up price of Workaway, but also the associated costs and whether it would be worth it for you specifically to sign up.
#2 Verification
When creating a Workaway profile, the option to verify through social media will be given.
This gives a boost of confidence to potential hosts that the volunteer is exactly who they say they are.
Think of it as an ice breaker.
It lowers their defences towards the applicant as a stranger and gives an air of confidence to the profile.
It shows the individual as a real person or at least more likely to be a real person.
Most hosts will look at the potential volunteers’s workaway profile and social media if they receive a message from the volunteer are interested in them.
With Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and LinkedIn, it is not difficult to see who is applying.
To link a Facebook profile to a Workaway profile, the Facebook profile link needs to be sent to the support team at [email protected].
Facebook has recently changed how they manage the connections to third party systems.
As of right now, the connection has to be done manually with Workaway support.
#3 Profile Photo
Recently have gotten a purple Mohawk or maybe face tattoos?
It is essential to update the workaway profile photos regularly!
The host needs to recognise the workawayer at the first meeting.
Make sure to smile and show a personality.
Do not upload a formal passport-style photo as it is too generic and boring.
Do something lighthearted and fun.
Showcase some skills, hobbies or talents to capture the attention of the host.
Remember, successful hosts and volunteers can spend upwards of 6 months together sometimes.
Boring or weird is not an option.
“Yes Chad, we know the photo of you being crowned homecoming king is ‘lit’ but save it for your grandparent’s scrapbook or ‘the gram’.”
Some people will need help with online marketing or social media.
If this is a skill listed then make sure the profile’s photos are not under or overexposed/blurry.
Use high-quality photos only. A great profile photo sets you apart from the very start.
#4 Destinations
Always add the locations for the full journey’s itinerary even if it is only tentative.
Volunteers can contact hosts for potential placement, but they can be contacted by hosts too.
Having this feature filled in on the Workaway profile makes it a lot easier for hosts.
With this done, they could pre-emptively write and offer positions at their properties.
This is usually due to a section called ‘Workaway Last Minute’.
With destinations set, hosts can see who is already nearby and are more likely to choose them over others.
This also allows hosts to tailor their offer to suit the potential dates already in place.
No matter the destination, make sure you are covered if anything goes wrong.
Purchase travel insurance for any trip, no matter how close or far from home it is!
I love that Workaway gives an opportunity to travel the world so affordably, but that does not mean you should skip out on protecting yourself.
I always use SafetyWing since they are amazing & reliable with wide coverage plans.
#5 Flexibility
Having flexibility opens the chances of greater experiences with last-minute Workwaying, but also offers the host something extra.
Having flexibility on dates mentioned across a volunteer’s profile will probably give an edge over others who have a strict itinerary.
This is because you have freedom to stay longer if they Workaway project is a good fit for you and the host.
Always remember you have options.
If the Workaway experience is not going how you want, you can always try to resolve issues with your host or leave.
Your safety and happiness is important!
Use something like Booking.com or HostelWorld as a back up option.
Plus, there are so many alternatives to hostels and hotels now that you have to check out!
Homestay is great for finding local families to stay with at an affordable price.
You get to feel right at home when you arrive and it’s perfect for short or long term stays.
Get €20/$25 off your first Homestay trip!
TrustedHousesitters helps you stay in wonderful places for free by house sitting and caring for cute pets.
You can find unique & amazing accommodation that would normally be hundreds per night!
#6 Spelling & Grammar
Proper grammar is the ultimate way to be ahead of the curve.
Putting time and effort into correct grammar and punctuation can be the best choice one can make before sending that first message to the host.
Using tools like Grammarly to double-check spelling and correct sentence structure can increase the chances of acceptance.
#7 Description
Besides the first impression of the profile photos, the profile description is what will be judged most by the hosts.
It is important to get personality as well as essential information across properly. Start with a passion statement.
Be direct and concise with it. Hosts do not want to see mint chocolate chip ice cream and long walks on the beach filling the profile description.
They want to know who a person is, what they can do and why they would be a good fit.
“My name is Maria. I’m an experienced traveler always finding new and exciting ways to continue seeing the world.”
The passion statement should tell potential hosts exactly who the applicant is and what they are doing.
If they continue to read the opening, they are more likely to continue reading the entire Workaway profile description.
A look into the volunteer’s main skills is a great opportunity for hosts to connect with the applicant’s profile and continue reading.
Here you can find helpful Workaway profile examples and also some tips straight from an Workway host interview.
#8 Skills
Now it is time to lay it all out. This is where everything an applicant can do is entered.
List everything considered a skill and do not be shy!
Most things can be a skill if enough thought is put into it.
Open a notepad and write down any life experiences.
Once they have all been written down, translate them into a positive skill.
Remember that summer spent in a call center because extra cash was needed?
This translates to e-mail and phone support specialist.
Examples
I spent some time working with environmental recreation centers aiding in the conservation of sea turtles.
I was educating adults and children to care for these wonderful endangered species.
This translates to impeccable people handling skills and the ability to keep people entertained.
#9 Allergies & Diet
Some hosts prefer to make food for their volunteers while others will give money.
While living in Montenegro, my hosts simply gave me a stipend to purchase food.
This is so that their Workawayers can eat to their own dietary needs.
If the applicant is a suitable candidate, people will be more willing to help them enjoy their stay more.
#10 Miscellaneous
Much like when writing a resume, the “What else…” or hobbies section may seem pointless.
This could not be further from the truth.
This gives the host the chance to see the side that is not trying to ‘woo’ them. This is where you add the ‘fluff’.
If it is interesting, then put it down. It could be the deciding factor in getting a yes, no, or completely ignored.
#11 Solo Or Couple
Each potential host may have a limited number of slots available at their property.
Depending on the host, they might prefer solo over a couple of Workawayers or vice versa.
Most of the time this preference will be stated on the host’s description.
For those who prefer couples, a possible reason is that they need people who may be willing to share a room and are comfortable being together for a long period.
For those who prefer singles, a possible reason is that their property is suited to housing multiple singles or they want to cultivate a community centered around solo travelers.
Try not to be disheartened if a host’s profile does not match due to these preferences, there will be others to apply for!
Find more tips for creating an amazing work exchange profile.
#12 Connecting Profiles
As a solo traveler, it is possible to connect with other Workawayers and apply with them to a certain host together.
Once the profile is completed and the descriptions and skills are done, it is possible to ‘connect my profile’.
Approach this technique with caution, make sure to know the person well before being with them for a long term Workaway.
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