Help with Applying and Confirming Trips at Worldpackers

What is an application?

An application is simply your message to the host, where you demonstrate your interest in volunteering for their position. This is where you should share information about yourself and ask any questions you may have about the project. Oh! By submitting an application, you're not committing to anything; you're simply expressing interest in the opportunity, okay? :)

Completing your profile

First things first: let's make your profile awesome. :)

Now that you know what an application is, we'll help you create an incredible profile. After all, you can only apply for volunteer positions when your profile is complete and contains the necessary requirements described in the posting you're applying for, okay?

To help you with this, we've put together an article that explains How to create a winning Worldpackers profile - keep an eye out, as this makes all the difference in confirming your experiences. :)

Another way to make your profile more attractive is to take advantage of our Academy courses in the Traveling with Worldpackers track. And the best part is, you'll also receive a certificate on your profile that catches the attention of hosts.

Hopefully, these tips will help you create a complete and irresistible profile! Remember that a good profile is the first step in securing that dream host position! ✨

Finding hosts

Hosts include various ecological projects, social projects, and even hostels and guesthouses. There are projects in permaculture, bio-construction, gardening, photography, social media, cleaning, cooking, reception, among others, that you can collaborate on in exchange for accommodation. In addition to accommodation, some hosts may also offer meals, discounts on tours, and other benefits.

To find them, simply click on Volunteer Positions and use the filters to find positions in the country, state, or city you want. We especially recommend our Higher Chance of Approval filter to find hosts who have recently accepted volunteers. You can also sort your search by responsiveness and see the hosts who have responded to applications faster. We recommend applying for hosts with a response rate of over 70%, okay? ;)

Another feature of our search tool is the Last Minute filter, which shows hosts who need volunteers to start in the next 7 days. 🏃

What should I write in my application?

Your application and profile are the first impression the host will have of you, so it's good to make both stand out!

Both we and the hosts appreciate it when volunteers apply for positions in a personalized way. To write a comprehensive application, we have a few tips:

Tell them about yourself: your first message to the host is your chance to prove that the position is perfect for you!
Talk about what you like to do, why you're traveling, why you chose that specific city and position/host, and where you've traveled before.
Give a summary of who you are and what you are looking for! You can share your life and professional experiences. Your journey will show the host various other things about you and how excited you are to take this next step;
You can also comment on the activities you will do and ask questions. This shows that you have done a good research before applying;
Talk about things they mentioned in the description, comment on a photo you saw, and talk about the reviews they have. These are some ways to show the host that you're not just applying in bulk and make them feel special!

Also, many hosts have some specific questions to get to know you better and to see if you are the perfect match, so it's super important that you answer each question with the detail it needs, ok?

In addition, we recommend that you and the host clarify all doubts before confirming the experience. Remember: it's during the application and throughout the conversation with the host that you will be sure that this volunteering is ideal for both of you.

Have you already applied? Now just wait for the host's response, if they think you are a perfect match for the project, they will respond to your request by pre-approving you. Don't forget to align all expectations, adjust the dates and confirm on the platform! And then READY! Just pack your bags and take care of all the details of documentation and tickets ;)

Remember that Worldpackers is a platform that connects hosts and travelers to promote collaborative experiences, only. All external logistics to this are the responsibility of the travelers, such as air tickets, local transportation, passports, etc, okay?

But here in these articles, we have several tips on How to prepare for your trip with Worldpackers, Traveling with Worldpackers: your top questions answered. There's a lot more on our community blog!

How long does it take for the host to respond?

When you apply, the host has up to four days to respond before the application expires. Unfortunately, it can take longer than we would like for hosts to respond because running a property can be quite busy. To get an idea of how long it will take, take a look at the Response Rate and Response Time of the host! This is located in each vacancy, just below the activity description.

After he responds, you both have seven days to respond to each message before the application expires as well, so it's good to always keep an eye on your inbox! But don't worry, you both can continue talking even if the application expires, okay?

When should I apply?

We know that many travelers like to plan their trips, so you can apply up to six months in advance. However, most hosts cannot plan too far in advance, so we recommend that travelers apply four to eight weeks before the start date of the trip.

I hope these tips help you confirm amazing experiences with us! 💙

Articles in this section