LinkedIn Open to Work: Should You Turn It On, and Which Setting?

Open to Work has two settings. Who each suits, the risk if you're still employed, and what to fix on your profile before you switch it on.

You've just decided to start looking for a new job. You open LinkedIn, see the Open to Work button, and hesitate. What if your manager sees it? What if recruiters think you're desperate? The real question isn't whether to turn it on, but which setting fits your situation.

What is LinkedIn Open to Work?

It's a feature that tells LinkedIn you're looking for work, with the roles you want, locations, onsite or remote preference and job type. This helps recruiters searching for candidates find you more easily.

There are two settings

Coursera's article on letting recruiters know you're open to work on LinkedIn describes two visibility options.

• All LinkedIn members: anyone, including colleagues, can see it, and a green #OpenToWork frame appears on your profile photo.
• Recruiters only: only LinkedIn Recruiter users can see it, with no photo frame. But the same article notes LinkedIn can't guarantee recruiters at your own company won't see it.

Which to choose depends on your situation

Unemployed or laid off

The public setting is usually worth it. There's no current employer to worry about, and the green frame tells your network to send opportunities your way. Many former colleagues are happy to refer you if they know you're looking.

Still employed

Use Recruiters only and accept there's still a small risk. If your company has a recruiting team using LinkedIn Recruiter, or you're in a small industry where everyone knows each other, you might not turn it on at all and message recruiters directly instead.

New graduates and students

The public setting is normal. People in your network, like lecturers or seniors, will know you're ready to start work.

Common worries, and the reality

• The green frame looks desperate: recruiters see it differently. What matters more is the rest of your profile. If it clearly shows what you're good at, the frame is just a signal you're ready to talk.
• Recruiters will come to me: not always. The feature makes you easier to find, but it doesn't replace applying and reaching out.
• Once on, it stays on: you can turn it off any time, and should once you land a job.

Before you switch it on, fix these 4 things

1. Headline: say what you do and what you're good at, e.g. Digital Marketing Specialist | Performance Ads, LINE OA, Data, rather than just your company name.
2. Target roles: use job titles recruiters actually search for, not internal titles outsiders won't understand.
3. About: 3 to 5 lines on what you've achieved and the role you're looking for.
4. Experience: concrete results for each role, not just duties.

Open to Work opens the door for recruiters, but your profile is what makes them want to keep talking.

Pair it with active job hunting

Don't just wait for recruiters. Use the same period to do these too.

• Message recruiters or hiring managers at companies you like, briefly saying how you can help their team.
• Post about your area of expertise from time to time so your network sees it.
• Apply to roles that genuinely fit, with a resume tailored to each one.

What to do next

1. Decide which situation you're in and pick the matching visibility.
2. Fix your Headline, About and Experience before switching it on.
3. Add no more than five closely related target roles.
4. Once a week, reach out to at least three people at companies you're interested in.
5. When you land a job, turn off Open to Work and update your new role.

Read more on setting up your LinkedIn profile so recruiters find you and how to message recruiters on LinkedIn. If you're still employed, interviewing while you still have a job will help, and browse real openings on Plants.work job listings.