LinkedIn’s OpenToWork feature allows you to privately signal to recruiters that you are looking for new job opportunities. Enabling the OpenToWork setting makes it easy for recruiters to find you, while keeping your job search discreet. Here’s how to change your OpenToWork status on LinkedIn:
Enabling or Disabling OpenToWork
Turning on the OpenToWork setting is easy:
- Go to your LinkedIn profile
- Click on the “Open to…” dropdown menu next to your profile photo and headline
- Select “Open to work” from the dropdown menu
This will enable the OpenToWork setting on your profile. A green dot and “Open to work” tagline will now appear next to your name and headline when recruiters view your profile.
To disable OpenToWork, just follow the same steps but select “Not open to work” from the dropdown menu. The green dot and tagline will be removed.
Customizing Your OpenToWork Settings
You can customize your OpenToWork settings to indicate the types of roles you are interested in:
- Desired locations – Select which geographic locations you would consider for new opportunities
- Desired job types – Choose full-time, part-time, contract, etc.
- Desired roles – Select which types of roles interest you (e.g. Project Manager, Software Engineer)
To configure these options:
- Go to your LinkedIn profile
- Click the “Open to…” dropdown and select “Open to work”
- Click on the gear icon next to the dropdown to access settings
- Select your desired job preferences and locations
- Click “Save” to apply the settings
Setting your preferences helps tailor the opportunities presented to you and makes it clear what types of roles you want.
Displaying OpenToWork to Recruiters Only
By default, when you enable OpenToWork your connections can see this on your profile. You can choose to display OpenToWork privately to only recruiters:
- Go to Profile > Visibility
- Under “Your career interests”, toggle “Open to opportunities” to “Recruiters only”
This ensures your network won’t see your job search activity, while still allowing recruiters to find you as an active candidate.
Using OpenToWork to Find New Opportunities
Here are some tips for leveraging OpenToWork to land your next role:
- Complete your LinkedIn profile – Recruiters are more likely to engage candidates with detailed work histories and skills.
- Customize your preferences – Tailor your desired roles, locations, etc. to attract relevant openings.
- Engage with recruiters – Proactively connect with recruiters at companies you’re interested in.
- Join industry groups – Follow relevant LinkedIn Groups to stay on top of discussions and job postings.
- Watch for recruiter messages – Respond promptly when recruiters reach out about potential opportunities.
- Follow companies – Follow your target employers to see new job postings as soon as they are listed.
Optimizing Your LinkedIn Profile
To maximize your discoverability when OpenToWork is enabled, optimize your LinkedIn profile:
- Professional headshot photo – Have a current photo that conveys your professionalism.
- Attention-grabbing headline – Summarize your experience and key skills.
- Detailed work experience – Flesh out your employment history with key responsibilities and achievements.
- Skills section – List out key skills, tools, and technical expertise.
- Education – Include your degrees, certifications, and relevant coursework.
- Recommendations – Request endorsements and recommendations from colleagues.
An optimized profile provides recruiters the information needed to determine if you are a good fit for open positions.
Networking and Applications
In addition to recruiters finding your profile, take a proactive approach:
- Apply to jobs listed on LinkedIn that match your interests.
- Search for and connect with recruiters at your target companies.
- Join LinkedIn Groups relevant to your industry and engage in discussions.
- Follow companies you are interested in and interact with their LinkedIn posts.
- Attend virtual job fairs and networking events.
- Leverage your connections to be introduced to hiring managers.
This outreach increases the chances hiring managers will notice you.
Tracking Your Progress
To assess how OpenToWork is working for your search:
- Watch your profile views – A spike may indicate recruiters are finding you.
- Review messages – Gauging recruiter outreach can signify increased discovery.
- Monitor Job Search analytics – This tracks employer profile views and job applications.
- Note new followers – Followers may indicate interested recruiters or hiring managers.
Continuously fine-tune your profile and settings based on this feedback.
Conclusion
LinkedIn’s OpenToWork feature makes it simple to privately signal your job search status to recruiters. Follow these best practices:
- Enable OpenToWork and customize your preferences.
- Optimize your profile to highlight your experiences.
- Engage with recruiters, hiring managers, and apply to roles.
- Track your progress using profile views, messages, and more.
Using OpenToWork effectively takes some effort, but can connect you to exciting new career opportunities. So update your settings and get ready to make your next career move.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does OpenToWork notify my connections and network?
By default, OpenToWork is visible to your 1st-degree connections. You can change the setting to only be viewable by recruiters to keep your search private.
How quickly will recruiters see my OpenToWork status?
Your OpenToWork status should be reflected to recruiters searching LinkedIn within 24 hours. You can speed this up by actively engaging with recruiters after enabling OpenToWork.
Is OpenToWork free to use?
Yes, LinkedIn’s OpenToWork feature is free for all members to use. It’s included as part of a standard LinkedIn account.
Can I target specific companies with OpenToWork?
While you can’t target specific companies, you can tailor OpenToWork by setting preferences for job types, locations, and roles. This helps you attract relevant opportunities.
How often should I update my OpenToWork status?
It’s a good idea to update your OpenToWork status and preferences any time your job search plans change. For example, if you are employed but suddenly looking, be sure to activate OpenToWork.
Does OpenToWork work on mobile?
Yes, you can update and configure OpenToWork directly from the LinkedIn mobile app. The settings sync across desktop and mobile.
Will my current employer know if I enable OpenToWork?
Your current employer will not be automatically notified if you enable OpenToWork. By default it is only shown to your connections, which you can also limit to be recruiters only.
How long should I keep OpenToWork enabled?
You can leave OpenToWork enabled for as long as you are actively searching for opportunities. Once you have secured a new role, you can disable OpenToWork on your profile.
Key Takeaways
- OpenToWork privately signals to recruiters you are open to new opportunities.
- Customize preferences to attract relevant job openings.
- Optimize your LinkedIn profile to showcase your experiences.
- Proactively engage with recruiters and hiring managers.
- Track profile views and messages to gauge effectiveness.
Leveraging OpenToWork effectively requires optimizing your LinkedIn presence and networking proactively. But it can be a passive way to land your next great job.