Having the “open to work” banner displayed on your LinkedIn profile has become an increasingly common practice for those seeking new job opportunities. But is this banner as helpful as it seems or could it actually harm your job search? There are pros and cons to consider when deciding whether to display this banner.
What is the open to work banner?
The open to work banner is a feature offered by LinkedIn that allows users to signal on their profile that they are looking for new job opportunities. When enabled, a banner headline appears atop the profile photo that says “Open to work” and can also include fields indicating the types of roles, locations, and employment types the user is interested in. This banner is visible to all LinkedIn connections.
The purpose of the banner is to notify your network that you are actively job searching. It serves as a passive way to get the word out that you are open to new opportunities without having to directly reach out to each connection individually.
Pros of displaying the banner
There are several potential benefits to displaying the open to work banner on a LinkedIn profile:
Increases visibility: The banner makes it clear at a glance that you are looking for a new role. For recruiters or business contacts browsing LinkedIn profiles, it can grab their attention and cause them to explore your profile further. This increased visibility can lead to more job opportunities coming your way.
Saves time: The banner allows you to passively advertise your job search instead of having to directly reach out to each connection. This can save you time and effort while still effectively alerting your network.
Shows your interest: Displaying the banner demonstrates that you are proactively taking steps to find a new role. This can portray you in a positive light as an eager and engaged job seeker.
Gains support: The banner may prompt connections who see it to provide support in the form of job recommendations, referrals, advice, or endorsements. Tapping into your network’s support can significantly help your search.
Looks professional: The standardized banner has a clean and professional design. It avoids looking desperate or overly aggressive since it is an expected LinkedIn feature.
Cons of displaying the banner
Despite the potential advantages, there are also some downsides to consider:
Signals disengagement: The banner could imply to your current employer that you are disengaged or unsatisfied if they notice it. This could hurt your reputation or jeopardize your current role.
Appears desperate: There is a stigma that the banner may appear desperate or unprofessional, especially if displayed for prolonged periods without landing a new role.
Harms current role: Some argue the banner could pigeonhole you as a job hopper or someone who is unlikely to stay long at your current company. This could negatively impact growth opportunities.
Distracting: Recruiters may perceive someone with the banner as distracted or not fully committed to a role they apply for since they have signaled they are open to other options.
Spam risk: The banner could attract recruiters reaching out with roles that are a poor fit, resulting in unwanted spam.
Paints negatively: In a very tight job market, suddenly displaying the banner could signal you were let go rather than voluntarily seeking new opportunities.
Should you display the banner?
Deciding whether displaying the “open to work” banner is right for you depends on your unique situation and goals. Here are some key factors to consider:
Current employment situation
If you are currently employed, especially if you have not yet informed your employer you are looking for new roles, displaying the banner could be perceived negatively. Evaluate whether it is worth the risk of potentially signaling disengagement before firming up new job options.
Industry norms
The banner may be more commonly accepted in some industries than others. Research whether it is a standard practice in your field before determining if it aligns with norms.
Job search urgency
If your job search is urgent, perhaps due to layoffs or unresolved issues in your current role, the banner can help speed up the process of securing new interviews. If you are casually looking with no timeline, the banner may not provide enough benefit to be worth potential downsides.
Platform usage habits
Consider how visible the banner will realistically be to your network based on your profile traffic and the connections you interact with regularly. If few eyes will see it, the impact may be limited.
Current profile strength
A robust, up-to-date profile emphasizing your skills and achievements will still stand out, even with a banner that signals you are passively open to new opportunities. But if your profile is thin, the banner alone is unlikely to generate interest.
Here is a summary of when displaying the banner may make the most sense:
Good situation for the banner | Not ideal for the banner |
Urgently looking for a new role | Casually looking with no timeline |
Field where banner is common | Field where banner is rare |
Strong, compelling profile | Sparse or outdated profile |
Have already given notice at current role | Have not given notice and still employed |
Very active on LinkedIn | Rarely interact with LinkedIn connections |
Optimizing use of the banner
If you decide the open to work banner does align with your search goals, here are some tips to get the most out of displaying it:
Select specific preferences
Tailor the fields in the banner to closely match your target new roles and locations. Casting too wide of a net or leaving fields blank can attract irrelevant opportunities.
Refine your profile
Update your profile summary, experience descriptions, and skills to showcase qualifications for your ideal next roles. Make it easy for the banner to draw attention to an impressive profile.
Broaden your network
Expand your connections with relevant professionals at companies of interest to increase the likelihood the right people will see your banner. Leverage shared groups and alumni networks.
Engage with your network
Don’t let the banner do all the work. Proactively interact with connections by liking and commenting on content to stay on their radar. This can lead to job conversations.
Remove it when appropriate
Once you have secured your next position, be sure to promptly remove the banner to avoid sending mixed messages about your job search status.
Alternatives to the banner
If you ultimately decide the banner is not the right fit, here are a few alternative ways to subtly signal on LinkedIn you are open to opportunities:
Update your headline
Tweak your profile headline to say “Seeking new opportunities in [field]” rather than just a job title. This hints at your search without a banner.
Share relevant content
Post articles, videos, and other content related to your target industry roles. This shows you are engaged and interested in that space.
Follow companies
Follow companies you would like to work for to get on their radar and receive updates about job openings.
Join industry groups
Join relevant LinkedIn Groups based on the roles, industries, or locations you are interested in. This gets you noticed.
Signal openness privately
Directly reach out to recruiters or your closest contacts at target companies to express interest in opportunities. This is more discreet.
Conclusion
Displaying the open to work banner on LinkedIn can be a smart job search strategy when used strategically and in the right circumstances. But it also comes with risks and alternative options exist. Carefully evaluate whether it makes sense for your situation, goals, and industry before deciding if you should add the banner to your profile. With the right preparation and optimization, the banner can expand your job search visibility. But other LinkedIn profile enhancements and more focused outreach may also accomplish your goals.