Tired of the job hunt?
Find your dream job faster with LinkedIn’s Open to Work feature.
Learn how to leverage it to connect with recruiters and land your next job. We’ll explore the feature’s visibility types, how to turn it on and off, and more ways to get recruiters and potential employers to notice you.
What Is “Open to Work” on LinkedIn?
LinkedIn’s “Open to Work” feature helps you communicate to recruiters or hiring managers that you are seeking new professional opportunities.
You can increase your chances of finding the best match by adding the job title you want. You can also select the location, wanted employment type (full-time, part-time, or contract), and the start date.
There are 2 ways the “Open to Work” feature works on LinkedIn:
- The Open to Work frame. Visually signal your network that you’re looking for a new job by adding it to your profile picture.
- The account setting. Only inform recruiters about your availability.
LinkedIn tries to limit the status’s visibility for recruiters at your current job, but it doesn’t guarantee complete privacy.
How to Turn On Open to Work on LinkedIn
Improve your chances of getting noticed by potential employers and recruiters.
Here’s how you can turn on Open to work on LinkedIn:
1. Open your LinkedIn profile.
2. Click on “Open to” and select “Finding a new job”.
3. Add your job title, preferred employment type, start date, and other information to help you land the wanted job.
4. Choose who can see your status. Select “Recruiters only” when you don’t want to inform everyone about your job search. To publicly share it, select “All LinkedIn members”.
How to Turn Off Open to Work on LinkedIn
If you landed a new job or want to remove the “Open to work” status, go to your LinkedIn profile.
Then, click on profile picture and select “Frames”. Then, click on “Original”.
More Ways to Get Recruiters to Notice You
There are more ways to stand out on LinkedIn and land your dream job.
1. Have a Stand-Out LinkedIn Profile
Get recruiters’ attention with an eye-catching, updated LinkedIn profile.
A professional profile picture helps you get up to 21 times more profile views and 9 times more connection requests.
Ensure your profile matches the job you are searching for. Update your work experience, summary, and add a headline that reflects your experience and achievements.
You can use Taplio’s free LinkedIn headline generator to attract hiring managers and recruiters.
2. Improve Your Profile SEO
Make it easy for employers to find your profile by improving your LinkedIn SEO.
Add keywords relevant to your skills, industry, or job title to your headline and summary.
Also, a custom LinkedIn URL featuring your name or relevant keywords is a game-changer. Instead of the default URL, create one that is easy to remember and share.
Drive more traffic to your LinkedIn profile by adding it to your email signature. You can create a customized signature with lemlist’s free email signature generator.
3. Share an “Open to Work” Post
Post an “Open to work” message on LinkedIn to let your network know you’re actively looking for a new role.
Add information about your skills and expertise so your connections understand your professional background and how they can help you.
Highlight key accomplishments, certifications, and relevant projects you’ve worked on.
Be clear about the roles or industries you’re targeting and mention any deal breakers to focus on relevant job opportunities.
4. Expand Your Network
Catch a recruiter’s attention by adding them to your network.
Improve your acceptance rate by personalizing the outreach message. Highlight your skills and interest in a specific job opening or company.
Remember that LinkedIn limits the number of connection requests you can send, so focus on recruiters working in your industry.
5. Establish Yourself as an Industry Leader
To stand out on LinkedIn, even when you’re not looking for a new job, establish yourself as an industry expert. Here’s how you can become a thought leader:
- Share valuable content. Post industry news, tips on overcoming professional challenges, and insights into your experience and expertise.
- Engage with industry peers. Participate in discussion, share your thoughts, or offer your expertise.
- Join LinkedIn groups. Connect with like-minded people and stay up-to-date with industry trends.
Wrapping It Up!
Get your CV in front of the best recruiters and employers with LinkedIn’s Open to Work. You can inform everyone about your job hunt or only share your status with recruiters.
To improve your chances of getting hired, keep an active LinkedIn presence, update your profile, engage with industry professionals, and reach out to recruiters.
