20 Things To Know Before Starting Workaway

Key strategies / takeaways from the video (Workaway planning)

Applications & offers

• Apply broadly enough: the presenters used 42 applications and received 9 offers.
• Focus on matches that fit your profile/skills (they mainly targeted farm stays).
• Even without professional experience, you can still get offers—don’t let lack of experience automatically disqualify you.

Dietary restrictions (e.g., vegan/vegetarian)

• Use Workaway search keywords like “vegan” or “vegetarian” to filter listings, but note:
  • The keyword only indicates it appears somewhere in the listing—not that the host can fully accommodate you.
• Expect to review each listing carefully, since some hosts may not be able to cater despite appearing in keyword searches.

How qualified do you need to be?

• Target stays aligned with your actual plan/interest (they applied mainly to farm/permaculture/tiny-house/building-type work).
• Limited experience still worked for them—apply anyway if you’re a good match.

Paid work realism

• Paid work is harder to secure than expected.
• Many messages may go unanswered; plan for the possibility that paid work won’t be guaranteed.
• If you want to rely on paid work, be prepared to apply to many hosts.

Timing your applications

• Start applying months in advance.
• Example timeline: they started in September for trips beginning January, and they didn’t get everything locked in until late November.
• Build in a buffer between applying and your planned departure.

Visa / legal requirements

• For paid work: a working visa is required.
• For unpaid/volunteer work: a visa may still be required depending on the country.
• Their experience (Netherlands, via embassy guidance) suggests that even volunteering may require a working permit—verify before assuming it’s optional.

Can you “live off Workaway”?

• It’s possible, but it requires applying far in advance to secure places to stay.
• They used their timeline to get about 6 months covered.

Messaging tactics & avoiding bans

• Don’t spam: Workaway may flag messages that are too similar.
• They copied/pasted portions of messages (e.g., personal background), but changed listing-specific sections.
• If flagged as “too similar,” the message may not send and you’ll be prompted to revise.

What to include in your host message

• Who you are / your intentions
  • Who you are, what you’re passionate about, and what learning/work you want.
• Relevant experience
  • Only mention experience that matches the listing’s needs.
• Hobbies / personality
  • Since you’ll live with people, include details that support good day-to-day living and conversation.
• Why you’re interested in their project
  • Reference specific details from the listing—be concrete.
• Why you’re a good fit
  • Map your skills to what the host asks for (include what you can do; don’t overclaim).
• Close with next steps
  • Suggest a Zoom call (or similar) to build rapport and confirm fit.

Questions to ask before committing/arriving

• Day-to-day expectations
  • What the work looks like, and which days/times you’d work.
• Skills needed
  • What knowledge/skills would help you succeed.
• Sleeping arrangements
• Meals
  • Are meals provided? Shared meals? Timing?
• Dietary accommodations
  • Ask directly about vegan/vegetarian feasibility.
• Packing & environment
  • What clothes to bring based on local weather/culture.
• Cultural norms
  • Any rules or expectations to respect.
• Language
  • Primary language; whether learning is necessary.
• Logistics
  • Address (if committed), best day/time to arrive.
  • Wi‑Fi and whether remote part-time work is realistically possible.
• Pay & contracts
  • Clarify pay structure, contracts, and how it interacts with visa requirements.
• Transportation
  • Public transport options and whether driving help is needed.
• Visa requirements confirmation
  • Ensure they’re comfortable with the reality of visa/permit rules.
• Advice from the host
  • Ask if there’s anything they recommend you know before arriving.

Host expectations & travel costs

• Typical help requested often includes:
  • Property help / landscaping
  • Farming / farm work
  • Sometimes babysitting or tutoring (they preferred to avoid this)
• Hosts generally do not pay for travel expenses.

Host/employer boundaries (as discussed)

• Workaway guidance may indicate hosts shouldn’t act like formal employers when someone is volunteering.
• Their experience suggests obtaining working visas can still be extremely difficult, so don’t assume volunteering removes visa barriers.

Profile building (high-level)

• Add:
  • Many photos (including you with different people/animals if animals are involved).
  • A welcome/introduction video for transparency.
  • Evidence of reliability: house/dog sitting, tutoring, house-sitting, etc.

Red flags when choosing listings/hosts

• Avoid listings that are:
  • Too broad/vague in description
  • Messy or rushed (unclear roles/expectations)
  • Poorly documented (few photos)
  • Missing apparent effort (e.g., not enough photos—“put 5 minutes into getting 10 photos”)

Negotiating stay length

• Stays are often negotiable.
• Plan to be flexible with arrival/departure dates and times.

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Presenters / sources

• Presenter: Sammy (YouTube channel voiceover; name given as “Sammy” in the subtitles)