SkilledUp Life - 64,000 Skilled Volunteers Building Tech Startups

Template for Writing Great Opportunities

The proven structure that gets quality applications from skilled volunteers. Copy this template, customize it for your needs, and start building your team.

Get Better Applications Faster

This template is based on 199+ successful opportunity postings. It includes everything volunteers need to make informed decisions and everything you need to filter quality candidates.

Attract the Right People

Clear expectations and detailed descriptions help skilled volunteers self-select based on fit, saving you time reviewing applications.

Pre-Qualify Applicants

Specific requirements and screening questions filter out casual browsers and surface genuinely interested, qualified candidates.

Save Time on Reviews

Structured applications make it easy to compare candidates and make decisions quickly without endless back-and-forth.

Set Clear Expectations

Transparency about time commitment, responsibilities, and what volunteers gain prevents misalignment and dropouts.

What's Inside

Eight essential sections that make your opportunity irresistible to the right candidates.

01

Opportunity Title

Clear, specific role name that includes seniority level and primary function

Example: Senior Full-Stack Developer | React & Node.js
02

Company Overview

Brief introduction to your startup, mission, and current stage

Include: What you're building, market, traction (if any)
03

Role Description

Detailed explanation of responsibilities and day-to-day activities

Tip: Be specific about what they'll actually do, not generic job description fluff
04

Key Responsibilities

Bulleted list of 5-8 primary tasks and deliverables

Format: Action verb + specific task + expected outcome
05

Required Skills & Experience

Must-have technical skills, tools, and experience level

Be honest: Distinguish between required and nice-to-have
06

Time Commitment

Clear expectations about hours per day/week and duration

Standard: 3 hours/day for 60 volunteer days (flexible scheduling)
07

What You'll Gain

Specific benefits: skills development, portfolio pieces, references

Show value: What exact skills will they develop? What will they build?
08

How to Apply

Screening questions and application requirements

Include: 3-5 questions that reveal capability and commitment

The Complete Template

Copy this entire template, replace the bracketed placeholders with your specific details, and post your opportunity.

Opportunity Template
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OPPORTUNITY TITLE
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Volunteer [Role Title] | [Key Technologies/Focus Area]

Example: Volunteer Full-Stack Developer | React, Node.js & AWS
Example: Volunteer Product Manager | SaaS B2B Healthcare Platform
Example: Volunteer UX/UI Designer | Mobile App Design & User Research


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ABOUT [COMPANY NAME]
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[2-3 paragraphs about your startup]

What we're building:
[One clear sentence about your product/service and the problem it solves]

Our mission:
[Why this matters and who you're helping]

Current stage:
[Pre-launch / MVP built / Early traction / Generating revenue]
[Any relevant metrics, users, or achievements]

Market & opportunity:
[Brief context about your industry and why now is the right time]


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THE ROLE
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[2-3 paragraphs describing what this person will actually do]

We're looking for a [role title] who will [primary objective]. You'll be responsible for [high-level responsibility] and work closely with [team members/founder] to [outcome].

In this role, you'll [specific activity]. This is a hands-on position where you'll [concrete examples of work]. You'll have the opportunity to [unique aspect of the role].

This role is perfect for someone who [ideal candidate profile] and wants to [what they'll achieve or build].

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KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
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• [Action verb] [specific task] to [expected outcome]
• [Action verb] [specific task] to [expected outcome]
• [Action verb] [specific task] to [expected outcome]
• [Action verb] [specific task] to [expected outcome]
• [Action verb] [specific task] to [expected outcome]
• [Action verb] [specific task] to [expected outcome]
• [Action verb] [specific task] to [expected outcome]

Examples:
• Design and develop responsive web interfaces using React and TailwindCSS
• Build RESTful APIs and backend services using Node.js and PostgreSQL
• Conduct user interviews and usability testing sessions to validate designs
• Create and maintain product roadmaps based on user feedback and business goals
• Develop and execute social media campaigns across LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram


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REQUIRED SKILLS & EXPERIENCE
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• Experience in [specific area]
• Strong proficiency in [technology/tool/skill]
• Demonstrated experience with [specific methodology/process]
• [Specific technical requirement]
• [Specific soft skill requirement]
• Portfolio or examples of [relevant work]


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TIME COMMITMENT
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Duration: 60 volunteer days (approximately 3 months)
Daily commitment: 3 hours per day (flexible scheduling)
Schedule flexibility: Work on your own schedule, with [X] team sync meetings per week
Start date: [Flexible / Specific date / ASAP]
Time zone preference: [Any / Must overlap with X timezone / None]

Note: We understand you have other commitments. We're looking for consistent contribution within your available hours, not strict 9-5 availability.


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WHAT YOU'LL GAIN
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🎯 Real Experience:
• Build [specific deliverables] from scratch
• Work on a production application serving [user base]
• Contribute to a startup in [industry/stage]
• [Specific project or achievement they'll complete]

📚 Skills Development:
• Master [specific skills you'll help them develop]
• Learn [technologies/methodologies they'll be exposed to]
• Gain experience in [process/framework they'll use]

💼 Career Growth:
• Portfolio-worthy project: [specific output they can showcase]
• Reference letter from founder/team lead upon successful completion
• LinkedIn recommendation highlighting your contributions
• Network with experienced [industry] professionals

🌍 Work Environment:
• Fully remote and flexible
• Collaborative, supportive team culture
• Direct access to founder(s) and decision-making
• [Any unique aspect of your work environment]


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HOW TO APPLY
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To apply for this opportunity Click the APPLY button.

Selection Process:
1. Application review (2-3 days)
2. Initial video interview (30 minutes)
3. [Technical assessment / Design challenge / Case study] (if applicable)
4. Final interview with founder/team (45 minutes)
5. Decision and volunteer agreement

We review applications on a rolling basis and will respond to all qualified candidates within one week.

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IMPORTANT NOTES
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• This is a volunteer opportunity through SkilledUp Life.
• No salary or equity is provided.
• There are no promises or assurances of future paid work as a result of volunteering with us.
• You will sign a volunteer agreement before starting.
• All work will be under [Company Name] brand/ownership.
• We're committed to providing mentorship and career support.
• [Any other important details about the arrangement].

We're excited to meet talented individuals who want to grow while building something meaningful together!

See It In Action

Here are three complete examples using this template for different roles. Notice how each is customized for the specific position while maintaining the proven structure.

Full-Stack Developer

A complete opportunity posting for a senior developer role on a fintech platform

View Full Example

Product Designer

How to attract skilled UX/UI designers for a consumer mobile app

View Full Example

Growth Marketer

Structured posting that attracted a marketing lead with B2B SaaS experience

View Full Example

Maximize Your Success

01

Be Specific, Not Generic

Instead of "manage social media," write "create and schedule 15 LinkedIn posts per month targeting B2B SaaS founders, analyze engagement metrics, and optimize content strategy."

02

Show What They'll Build

People want portfolio pieces. Say exactly what they'll create: "You'll design and ship our mobile app's onboarding flow, checkout experience, and user dashboard."

03

Ask Filtering Questions

Your screening questions should require thoughtful answers that reveal capability. Avoid yes/no questions. Ask them to explain approaches or share specific examples.

04

Set Realistic Expectations

Be honest about your stage. Volunteers appreciate transparency about whether you're pre-launch, have users, or are generating revenue. Don't oversell.

05

Highlight Learning Opportunities

Skilled volunteers want growth. Be explicit about what skills they'll develop and what technologies they'll master through this work.

06

Respond Quickly

The best candidates often apply to multiple opportunities. Review applications within 2-3 days and keep candidates updated throughout your process.

Ready to Build Your Team?

Use this template to create your opportunity posting and start receiving applications from skilled volunteers worldwide.

Post Opportunity