Saying you are available and looking for work on LinkedIn is an important part of using the platform effectively for your job search. With over 740 million members, LinkedIn is the world’s largest professional networking site and a valuable tool for connecting with potential employers and opportunities.
There are a few key ways you can indicate you are available for work directly on your LinkedIn profile. This signals to recruiters and hiring managers that you are actively job searching and open to being contacted about new roles.
Some simple but effective approaches include:
– Updating your LinkedIn headline to say “Seeking new opportunities” or “Open to work”.
– Adding an “Open to work” frame to your profile photo.
– Stating you are available in your summary section.
– Sharing a post that says you are looking for new job challenges.
You want to be clear while still maintaining a professional presence on the platform. Follow LinkedIn etiquette and avoid sounding desperate or spammy.
Here are some tips and examples of how to best communicate your work availability on your LinkedIn profile and activity.
Update Your LinkedIn Headline
One of the first things employers and recruiters look at on your LinkedIn profile is your headline. This is the short descriptive text under your name.
Take advantage of your 120-character headline space to signal you are looking. Some examples:
– Software Engineer Seeking New Opportunities
– Product Manager – Open to Work
– John Smith – Exploring New Senior Marketing Roles
Keep it simple and straightforward. Mention your current or most relevant job title or profession and that you are available.
You can switch back to your regular professional headline when you are no longer job searching. But updating it when you are actively looking is an easy and prominent way to get the message out.
Add an “Open to Work” Frame to Your Photo
Another visual way to indicate you are available is to add an “Open to work” frame to your LinkedIn profile photo.
LinkedIn automatically generates these photo frames during certain campaigns or initiatives. The “Open to work” frame is available year-round to LinkedIn members actively searching for a job.
To add it, go to your profile, click on your photo and select “Add frame”. Search for and choose the “Open to work” frame overlay.
This photo banner is eye-catching and immediately tells connections and visitors you want to hear about job opportunities. It also lets recruiters know they can reach out to you about openings.
Some tips for using the “Open to work” frame:
– Only use it when you are actively looking for work. Take it off your photo when you are no longer job searching.
– Double check that your profile is up-to-date before adding the frame. Make sure you have a professional photo in place as well.
– Utilize the frame consistently while job searching instead of toggling it on and off.
State You Are Available in Your Summary
Your LinkedIn summary or about section is valuable profile real estate. Use a few sentences here to explicitly say you are open to new opportunities.
For example, you can start your summary saying:
– Project manager with 5+ years experience looking for new challenges in a fast-paced startup environment.
– Digital marketing professional exploring new client-side opportunities. Available for senior content roles.
Or work it in organically:
– Award-winning journalist and editor with 10+ years experience reporting on business and technology. Currently seeking my next media role with a forward-thinking publication.
Keep the rest of your summary focused on your skills, experience, and qualifications. Just make sure to clearly indicate you are available.
You can remove or edit this when you are no longer looking.
Share a Post About Your Job Search
Sharing regular posts on LinkedIn that mention you are open to work is another organic way to get the message out. You can write posts about:
– Your job search tips and experience.
– Your work history and skills.
– Types of roles or companies you are interested in.
Within these posts, organically mention being available for the right opportunity. For example:
“After 5 great years at XYZ Company, I’m looking for a new challenge as a product marketing manager at a consumer tech company. Check out my experience and get in touch if you know of any good opportunities!”
Post regularly without spamming your connections. Share content and insights relevant to your industry and experience. Active posting keeps you visible and shows you are engaged on LinkedIn.
Utilize LinkedIn’s Job Search Features
Take advantage of LinkedIn’s built-in job search features in addition to your profile. Options like Open Candidates allow recruiters to find you if you match current openings.
Ways to get noticed:
– Mark yourself as “Open to work” under your profile edit settings. This makes you searchable as an active candidate.
– Follow specific company pages and turn on job alerts to be notified of new postings. Apply early before they get flooded.
– Join relevant LinkedIn Groups and watch for openings shared within your industry communities.
– Check out remote work listings under the Remote Jobs tab. Many companies hire remotely now.
– Use LinkedIn’s resume builder to create a customized resume for each application.
– Research who works at your target companies. Reach out personally if there is a good connection.
Etiquette Tips for Indicating You Are Open to Work
When signaling you are available for new opportunities on LinkedIn, be sure to maintain a professional presence and follow standard etiquette. Avoid coming across as desperate or spammy.
Some etiquette tips:
– Only connect with people you know or share a substantive connection with. Don’t spam strangers to expand your network.
– Do not overuse keywords like “hiring” or #jobsearch in posts. This looks spammy.
– Keep your profile polished. Remove old jobs and check for typos.
– Use the “Open to work” indicators appropriately. Do not toggle them on and off.
– Do not reach out cold to senior executives. Start with 1st degree connections.
– Personalize connection messages. Don’t send generic invites.
– Thank anyone who responds or interviews you. Follow up.
– Target opportunities suited to your experience. Customize your resume and cover letter.
Applying these dos and don’ts helps ensure you make the right impression. You want to stand out for the right reasons as an ideal candidate.
Other Tips for Job Seeking on LinkedIn
Utilizing your profile is just one part of an effective LinkedIn job search strategy. Some other tips include:
– Research target companies, employees, and hiring managers. Look for personalization opportunities in your outreach.
– Follow company pages to getnotifications on new openings. Engage with their content.
– Ask connections for introductions, reviews of your materials, and referrals.
– Attend LinkedIn events, conferences, and classes. Network and expand your visibility.
– Join relevant LinkedIn groups and build connections within your industry.
– Follow LinkedIn’s job search blog for the latest tips and new features announcements.
– Take LinkedIn Learning courses to boost your hard and soft skills. Add certifications to your profile.
– Do not neglect other major job sites and sources. Use a wide outreach strategy.
– Track and monitor your job search efforts and results. Refine your approach as needed.
Should You Notify Your Current Employer?
If you are discreetly looking for a new job while currently employed, be cautious about notifying your employer or posting publicly. Do not announce it anywhere your boss may see it.
However, if you have a good relationship with your manager, you may want to give them a heads up once you start active outreach.
Reasons you may want to quietly notify them:
– To explain any LinkedIn profile changes or increased activity. Don’t let them find out from someone else.
– To ask if they will serve as a reference. Ideally they can vouch for your work and character.
– To reaffirm your commitment to your current role. Make clear you intend to transition gracefully.
– To open up honest conversations about your career growth path. There may be opportunities with your current employer.
How you notify them depends on your comfort level and relationship:
– Schedule a private in-person chat. Explain your thinking professionally. Offer to help hire and train your replacement.
– Send an email clearly explaining your reasons and reaffirming your commitment through the transition. Offer to discuss further in person.
– Notify them only when you have an offer in hand and are ready to resign. Provide plenty of notice.
Think carefully about their potential reactions and your working relationship before notifying your employer. Make sure to continue excelling at your current role through the transition.
Should You Make Your Job Search Public or Private?
Deciding whether to keep your job search private or public on LinkedIn depends on your situation:
Here are some reasons to keep it private:
– You want to avoid awkwardness or questions with coworkers and bosses.
– You do not want to seem disloyal or lose trust.
– You are concerned about job security if your search gets back to your employer.
– You do not want to reveal your reasons for leaving to current colleagues.
Reasons you may want to make it public:
– You want to cast a wide net and get maximum visibility.
– You are comfortable being open about looking to contacts and your network.
– You already have a solid reputation and rapport with coworkers and bosses.
– You have good job security or are the sole contributor in your role.
– Your reasons for leaving are positive, like seeking new growth.
If going public, focus on the opportunities rather than complaining about your current role. Frame it as an exciting next step rather than desperation to jump ship.
Words to Avoid in Your Profile When Open to Work
There are certain words and phrasing to avoid in your LinkedIn profile and posts to prevent sounding negative:
– Desperate, urgently, quickly, ASAP, immediately.
– Layoff, fired, terminated, downsized.
– Failure, unsuccessful, unprofitable.
– Incompetent, incapable, unqualified.
– Unhappy, miserable, hate, despise.
– Toxic, hostile, aggressive, unsustainable.
– Stagnant, dull, boring, unchallenging.
– Disengaged, clock-watching, unmotivated.
– Quitting, jumping ship, escaping.
Focus on positive phrasing like:
– Seeking new challenges and growth opportunities
– Ready to apply my skills in a new industry or role
– Looking for a more collaborative team environment
– Exploring startup opportunities to expand my experience
– Motivated to take my career to the next level
Stay optimistic. Frame it as moving toward new opportunities rather than fleeing a bad situation.
Conclusion
Saying you are open to work on LinkedIn makes it easy for potential employers and connections to see you are looking. Updates to your profile, photo frame, posts, and job search activity all help get the message out organically.
Be clear and upfront in your language on your profile. But maintain an enthusiastic, positive tone rather than sounding desperate. Utilize LinkedIn’s tools and features to maximize your visibility and success.
With over 40% of users on LinkedIn open to new opportunities, it has become a go-to platform for recruiter outreach. Following these best practices helps you stand out and connect with the right openings. Stay proactive and patient to find the best fit for your next role.