The #OpenToWork badge on LinkedIn is one of the features implemented to help recruiters and candidates connect.
If you are looking for a job and want to know more about this feature, we explain everything in this article.
What is the #OpenToWork feature on LinkedIn?
The #OpenToWork feature on LinkedIn allows you to indicate to recruiters on the platform that you are open to professional opportunities. Specifically, it is a green ribbon with the #OpenToWork inscription that appears on your profile photo.
Launched in 2020, this feature debuted alongside the #Hiring badge. While the latter is aimed at recruiters, the OpenToWork badge is reserved for job-seeking users (both passive and active). “OpenToWork” means “open to new LinkedIn opportunities” in French.
Thus, you can display it whether you are currently employed or unemployed. If you are employed, displaying it can be tricky as your current employer might see it. Therefore, LinkedIn has set visibility settings that you can adjust yourself.
What is the benefit of using this function?
The #OpenToWork badge, like “Hiring,” was introduced by LinkedIn in the context of the Covid-19 pandemic. Many people lost their jobs, and these features were intended to facilitate their job search on LinkedIn.
When about to activate the #OpenToWork badge on LinkedIn, you will be asked for some information:
The type of job or occupation you are seeking
Your industry sector
Your geographical area
Based on this information, LinkedIn will prioritize your profile in searches by recruiting companies when criteria match. This badge thus optimizes the positioning of your profile in LinkedIn’s search engine.
How to add an #OpenToWork badge to your profile?
Go to your profile page. Then click on “Let recruiters know you’re open to new opportunities.”
Enter all the requested information: the type of job sought (full-time, part-time, etc.), job types that fit your profile, your availability, your workplace, etc.
Once these steps are completed, the famous green #OpenToWork banner will appear on your profile photo. LinkedIn also allows you to set who can see this badge (scroll down for more).
How to remove it?
Just as you can activate the “open to opportunities” badge, you can also deactivate it. For instance, when you land your dream job, you can deactivate this badge (or if your approach is not yielding results).
Here’s how:
Go to your profile page. To do so, click on your profile picture in the upper right corner and then on “You.”
Click on “Open to new opportunities” to modify the information.
In the box that opens, click on “Recruiters only” then save.
Once you have followed this procedure, the green banner will be removed from your profile photo.
Deactivating the badge doesn’t necessarily mean you’re giving up on finding a better position on the platform. There are numerous ways to search for a job on LinkedIn less conspicuously.
It is noteworthy that LinkedIn can also automatically remove this badge. This happens when you no longer respond to recruiters’ InMails . LinkedIn administrators will email you to ask if you’re still “open to opportunities.” If you don’t confirm, your badge will be automatically removed.
The trap of this feature
Initially appealing for job seekers, the #OpenToWork badge isn’t without risks. On average, 70% of LinkedIn users are latent job seekers. This implies that they might already be employed but remain open to more enticing professional opportunities.
For such profiles, displaying an “open to opportunities” badge may confuse the current employer. They might view this negatively.
This is why LinkedIn offers two visibility setting options:
Recruiters only. Your #OpenToWork badge will thus be hidden from your current employer. It’s crucial to accurately enter your “current company name” and the option “I am currently working in this role” on your profile. This prevents your current employer and affiliated companies from seeing your badge.
All LinkedIn users. Your badge will then be visible to the public, including your current employer.
This last option is not beneficial for you in several ways:
Recruiters might think you are desperately looking for a job. That’s never a good thing. Keeping an aura of mystery and being in demand is always a good strategy in the job market.
You’re a passive candidate. You display this badge to show your availability and wait for recruiters to contact you.
Moreover, recruiters prefer rare and sought-after candidates. They favor candidates everyone is vying for over those who are overly available.
The #OpenToWork profile can therefore be a double-edged sword. That’s why most job seekers opt for alternative approaches in their LinkedIn job search strategy. Among these alternatives, we have:
The recommendation system
Optimizing your profile by detailing previous missions and posting valuable content in your area of expertise
In conclusion, this feature is a badge allowing LinkedIn users to indicate to recruiters they are “open to opportunities.” It’s a green banner appearing on your profile photo. While overt, this approach can prove counterproductive.
Fortunately, LinkedIn is full of more effective methods to find a job, as an alternative to the #OpenToWork badge.
