Does adding open to work on Linkedin work?

Adding “open to work” on your LinkedIn profile has become an increasingly popular way for professionals to silently signal to recruiters that they are looking for new job opportunities. But does it really help land a new job? Here is a comprehensive look at the pros, cons, and best practices for using the “open to work” feature on LinkedIn.

What Does “Open to Work” on LinkedIn Mean?

The “open to work” feature allows you to add a banner to the top of your LinkedIn profile stating that you are available for job opportunities. When you toggle your profile to “open,” a green banner appears at the top of your profile that says “Open to work” and your profile photo gains a green border.

This signals to recruiters and hiring managers browsing LinkedIn profiles that you are actively looking for a new role. The banner is visible to all LinkedIn members, although you can choose to only show it to recruiters to keep your job search quiet from your current employer.

The Pros of Using “Open to Work” on LinkedIn

There are several potential benefits to leveraging the “open to work” banner on your LinkedIn profile:

• Increased recruiter outreach: Recruiters actively search LinkedIn for qualified candidates that are open to new opportunities. The green banner makes you stand out.
• Expanded reach: The banner allows recruiters who may not be in your immediate network to identify you as a passive candidate.
• Stay discreet: You can opt to only show the banner to recruiters to avoid signaling to your current employer that you’re looking.
• It’s free: LinkedIn provides the feature at no cost to help connect talent with opportunities.

Essentially, the banner puts your profile in front of more recruiters and hiring managers who are specifically looking for candidates open to new roles. This can increase inbound recruiting messages and widen the funnel for new job opportunities.

The Cons of Using “Open to Work”

However, there are also some potential drawbacks to consider with the “open to work” badge:

• Signal misalignment: The banner is very broad. It doesn’t provide nuance on what types of roles you are open to.
• Low response rate: Just because recruiters see your banner doesn’t guarantee you’ll get more responses or interviews.
• Appear desperate: Some argue the banner comes across as desperate or makes you seem underqualified.
• Current employer sees: If you show the banner to all LinkedIn members, your current boss may see it.

The banner alone is unlikely to land you a new job. You still need an optimized LinkedIn profile and proactive job search strategy. While it has potential upsides, you need to use it strategically to maximize the benefits.

How to Leverage “Open to Work” Effectively

Follow these best practices to get the most out of LinkedIn’s “open to work” feature:

Optimize Your Profile

Make sure your profile is updated with all your latest experience, skills, accomplishments and recommendations. Recruiters are more likely to reach out if they see you have a robust, compelling profile.

Be Selective With Visibility

Only display the banner to recruiters to avoid signaling to your boss and colleagues that you’re looking. You can do this in the banner settings.

Tailor Your Headline

Craft your profile headline to clearly indicate your experience level, specialities, and type of role or title you are seeking. This gives recruiters more context.

Highlight Relevant Skills

Ensure the skills section of your profile includes keywords recruiters may search for so you appear in relevant candidate searches.

Personalize Invitations

When reaching out to new connections, customize the invitation to share why you want to connect, rather than sending generic invites.

Join Industry Groups

Become active in niche LinkedIn Groups related to your field to expand your visibility and connections.

Follow Target Companies

Follow companies you’re interested in to stay aware of their job postings and company news.

Who Should Use “Open to Work”?

Adding the banner can be beneficial for:

• Active job seekers: The banner signals to recruiters you’re eager for a new opportunity.
• Passive candidates: It allows you to discreetly explore options while employed.
• Career changers: You can indicate you’re looking to transition to a new field.
• Freelancers/consultants: It shows you’re available for short-term contracts or projects.
• Recent graduates: You can notify companies you’re entering the workforce.

However, it may not be advisable for some groups:

• Employees concerned about employer seeing: Better to remain discreet if your boss could see.
• Underqualified applicants: The banner alone won’t make up for weak credentials.
• Overly selective: Only helpful if you’re open to many types of opportunities.

LinkedIn Open to Work Usage Statistics

Here are some key stats on how professionals are leveraging the “open to work” feature on LinkedIn:

As the stats show, millions of professionals are leveraging the banner to signal to recruiters they are open to conversations. LinkedIn also reports the banner can boost profile views and recruiter engagement when used strategically.

Expert Opinions on LinkedIn Open to Work

Here are some thoughts from recruitment experts on the value of LinkedIn’s “open to work” feature:

Helps Candidates Be Proactive

“The ‘open to work’ badge empowers candidates to proactively reach recruiters rather than waiting to be found. In a competitive market, you need to use all tools available to get ahead.”

Signals Intent But Not Fit

“The banner shows intent to find a new position but doesn’t indicate if the candidate is actually qualified. Recruiters still need to vet skills and experience.”

Surfaces Passive Candidates

“‘Open to work’ helps uncover ‘passive’ candidates not actively applying but open to learning about new roles.”

Provides Candidate Context

“Seeing the badge gives me critical context that someone is interested in a new opportunity when reaching out about a role.”

While opinions vary, most recruiters see the badge as a useful signal but not a replacement for candidate vetting and a strong profile.

The Takeaway: How Effective is LinkedIn’s Open to Work Feature?

At the end of the day, the “open to work” banner is best seen as a tool to supplement, not replace, an effective job search. On its own, simply adding the banner is unlikely to land you interviews or job offers.

However, when combined with a polished, optimized LinkedIn profile and proactive outreach to connections and recruiters, the banner can expand your visibility and opportunities.

Here are some key takeaways on how to use the LinkedIn “open to work” feature most effectively:

• Update your profile headline, experience, and skills before adding the banner.
• Only display to recruiters to remain discreet if needed.
• Leverage search alerts to find relevant openings and companies.
• Proactively connect with recruiters and hiring managers.
• Join industry groups and follow target employers.
• Measure impact on views/engagement and tweak approach as needed.

At the end of the day, job seekers need to test and see what works for them. Used strategically, the “open to work” badge can expand possibilities and visibility. But it requires an optimized profile and smart networking to fully capitalize on the tool’s potential.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the open to work badge free to use?

Yes, LinkedIn provides the “open to work” banner feature at no cost. It is free to add the banner and leverage it in your job search.

Who can see my open to work badge?

You can control the visibility settings. You can show your badge to all LinkedIn members, only recruiters, or just select connections if you want to limit the visibility.

How many people use the open to work feature?

Over 40 million LinkedIn members have used the “open to work” badge at some point. Millions update or toggle their banner visibility each week.

Does open to work notify your connections?

No, adding the banner does not proactively notify your 1st-degree connections. However, the banner is visible on your profile to any connections who view your profile.

Can companies see if I have open to work on?

If you choose the option to show your badge to “All LinkedIn Members,” employees at your current or past companies would be able to see it. Select “Only Recruiters” to remain discreet.

Conclusion

The LinkedIn “open to work” banner can be a valuable job search tool when used strategically. While the banner alone won’t get you a job, it can boost visibility and recruiter interest. Combined with a stellar profile and proactive outreach, it can help quality candidates surface new opportunities. However, job seekers need to be selective and intentional with how they leverage the badge to maximize its utility.