How to Let Recruiters Know You’re Open to Work on LinkedIn

Getting a new job takes effort and time. You have to strengthen your resume, draft cover letters, and look for open roles. However, using a unique platform feature on LinkedIn, you can let recruiters know you're open to work, which could potentially make your job search a little easier as they search for candidates to interview.

Learn more about LinkedIn's "Open to Work" feature, including how to keep your current employer from finding about your job search, as well as other ways to attract attention from recruiters on the platform. Afterward, keep developing in-demand skills, which you can add to your LinkedIn profile, with a Coursera Plus subscription.

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Letting recruiters know you’re "Open to Work" on LinkedIn

With over one billion users worldwide, LinkedIn is the largest professional networking site globally [1]. Building a LinkedIn profile—and making sure you keep it up to date—is the first step in letting recruiters know you'd be open to considering a new job. It's important that recruiters don't see outdated information.

If you haven't already done so, make sure to create a LinkedIn account, then spend time adding the roles and responsibilities you've had. You'll also want to add a LinkedIn profile photo and craft a standout summary. Once your profile has been established or refreshed, you can let recruiters know you're job searching by using the "Open to Work" feature and further optimizing your profile.

"Open to Work" on LinkedIn

LinkedIn's "Open to Work" feature is a resource you can enable to let recruiters—or anyone who uses the platform—know that you are available to discuss new career opportunities. The feature lets you specify the job titles you'd like to find, the locations you'd like to work, the mode of work you're interested in (in-person, hybrid, or remote), and other factors.

Once you've filled out this information, there are two "Open to Work" visibility options:

• LinkedIn members: This option adds the green #OpenToWork frame to your LinkedIn profile photo, and means anyone who uses LinkedIn, including people you work with, will be able to see that you're looking for a job.

• Recruiters only: This option allows only members using LinkedIn Recruiter to see your profile. However, LinkedIn can't guarantee that recruiters at your company won't see your profile, though the company says it does take steps to ensure privacy.

Take note that if you choose to make your search visible to everyone on LinkedIn, you'll see a gray text box added to your profile, underneath your photo, that lets anyone who visits your profile see the job titles you'd consider.

Learn more: How to Reach Out to a Recruiter on LinkedIn

How to enable "Open to Work"

Enabling the #OpenToWork feature on LinkedIn is relatively straightforward. Follow the directions below:

• In the top menu, click on the "Me" icon.

• Click "View profile."

• Click the blue "Open to" button that appears below your profile photo.

• Click the first option, "Finding a new job."

• Specify what type of job you'd like to find using the categories provided.

• Under the "Visibility" section, select whether you want to be visible to everyone or just recruiters.

• Finish by clicking "Add to profile."

Once you've toggled on LinkedIn's "Open to Work" feature, the platform also gives you the option to post about your search. This can be helpful if you do not have any reason to hide your job search from your connections. However, if you're currently working and don't want your connections, like those at your current company, to know that you're looking for a job, you do not have to follow through with any kind of post.

How to prevent your employer from seeing your job search status

If you don't want your current employer to know you're searching for a job, check your "Open To Work" visibility settings and make sure it's set to "Recruiters only." Also, ensure your profile's visibility settings are off so your colleagues or manager can’t see your updates. 

However, remember that even when you take these precautions, your employer may still find out about your job search. Recruiters at your current company may be able to see it, or someone in your employer’s network may view your profile and see the #OpenToWork label, which they can share with your employer.

How to turn off "Open to Work"

The #OpentoWork feature is comparably easy to remove. Follow the instructions below:

• In the top menu, click on the "Me" icon.

• Click "View profile."

• Locate the "Open to work" gray box under your profile photo.

• Click on the pencil icon in the top right corner.

• You'll see the same screen used to specify your job search. Scroll to the bottom and click on the blue "Delete from profile" button.

If you start by enabling everyone on LinkedIn to see that you're open to work and eventually want to make it so that only recruiters see, just return to the "Open to" section, click the pencil icon to edit, and change the visibility settings to "Recruiters only."

Take note that LinkedIn will automatically turn off "Open to Work" if it thinks you're not interested in a new job. For example, if you receive multiple InMails from recruiters that you don’t answer or you’ve been inactive for a few months, you may notice the feature disappear from your profile.

Read more: Job Search Guide: Resources for Your Next Career Move

4 other ways for recruiters to notice you

Enabling the "Open To Work" function isn’t the only way to let recruiters know you’re available to discuss a new opportunity on LinkedIn. Learn more about how to use LinkedIn effectively and follow the tips below for additional guidance.

1. Keep your profile updated. 

It might seem obvious, but maintaining a fully updated profile is one of the most effective ways to get a recruiter's attention. For instance, statistics show that a LinkedIn profile with a photo gets 14 times more views than one without a picture [2]. Catching their attention is just the first step. If the information in your profile impresses them, recruiters are more likely to contact you, even if you have not expressly stated that you’re open to work. 

Make sure you have added the following elements to your LinkedIn profile:

• Headline

• Summary

• Work history

• Resume

2. Use the right keywords.

When writing your LinkedIn profile, look for ways to incorporate action words. These should ideally be keywords that people in your industry use frequently—or which frequently appear in relevant job postings—which can help to increase your visibility to recruiters.

Start by looking at job descriptions of roles you’re interested in and identifying useful keywords to integrate into your profile. For example, a recruiter looking for an accountant is probably looking for someone with specific skills like Excel, not "accountants looking for work."

3. Look to the future.

Share information about your future ambitions rather than solely focusing on the fact that you’re looking for work now. The ideal place for this content is the summary section. As you detail your achievements there and outline your career plans, use the right keywords. Focusing on what you are good at and making yourself stand out gives the recruiter something positive, rather than just knowing you are looking for a job. 

4. Build your network. 

You may be able to get on a recruiter's radar by becoming part of their network. If you have mutual connections, ask for an introduction. You can also invite recruiters to connect, but be selective. Choose recruiters who work in the industry of interest to you, and make sure to send them a message rather than expecting them to accept your request without any additional information.

Keep in mind that recruiters often get a lot of requests from other users, so craft your introduction carefully. Start with something personal to pique the recruiter’s interest. For example, mention a mutual connection or a place you both once lived.

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