Quick Answer
Posting that you are open to work on LinkedIn can be an effective job search strategy if done thoughtfully. It allows you to broadcast your availability to your network and recruiters. However, it also signals to your current employer that you may leave, so consider the risks. Customize your headline, summary, and experience section to highlight your skills, accomplishments, and goals first before explicitly saying you are open to work.
Should You Post You’re Open to Work on LinkedIn?
Here are some key considerations when deciding if announcing you are open to work on LinkedIn is right for you:
Pros
- Makes your network and recruiters aware you are looking for a new opportunity
- Surfaces potential leads and openings you may not have known about otherwise
- Allows you to demonstrate your personal brand and qualifications to prospective employers
- Gives you access to jobs that may not be publicly posted yet
- Shows your initiative in conducting an active job search
Cons
- Lets your current employer know you plan to leave, risking an awkward situation or potential retaliation
- Exposes you to random outreach that may not suit your actual job search goals
- Feels impersonal compared to directly applying for and expressing interest in specific roles
- Does not guarantee that the right people will see your profile and reach out
Evaluate whether the benefits outweigh the potential risks for your circumstances when deciding if declaring you are open to work is the right move. Those in confidential job searches should avoid posting due to current employer concerns. Others may find it an effective part of a broader search strategy.
How to Post You’re Open to Work on LinkedIn
Here are some best practices for effectively communicating you are open to new job opportunities on LinkedIn:
Headline
Your headline appears front and center at the top of your profile. Consider adding “Open to work” or “Seeking new opportunities in [field]” to concisely convey your search status.
Profile Summary
Briefly summarize your professional background, skills, and career goals in your profile summary section. End with a line stating you are exploring new challenges and open to suitable roles that align with your experience and interests.
Experience Section
Detail your work history and highlight relevant accomplishments, contributions, and impact. Emphasize transferable skills, specialties, and areas of expertise that translate to the type of job you are seeking.
Open To Work Setting
Enable the “Open to work” setting under your profile photo. This displays a badge signaling you are looking for job options. You can customize who sees this indicator.
Status Updates
Post regular status updates advertising your job search. Share career news, accomplishments, goals, advice requests, and interest in new opportunities. Invite readers to get in touch.
Tips for Announcing You’re Open to Work on LinkedIn
Here are some additional tips for effectively leveraging LinkedIn to communicate you are open to new job possibilities:
- Customize your notification settings for who can see you are open to work
- Be selective about who you directly tell versus a general announcement
- Proactively reach out to connections at target companies
- Join relevant LinkedIn Groups and participate in discussions
- Follow relevant companies to see openings and company news
- Turn on job alerts for real-time notifications of new relevant postings
- Research and connect with key decision makers and recruiters
- Ask connections for introductions to their networks
- Give endorsements and recommendations to expand your visibility
Leverage LinkedIn’s tools and network while openly searching for your next position. Be thoughtful in announcing your search availability to balance exposure with professionalism.
What to Include in Your “Open to Work” Headline
When customizing your LinkedIn headline to advertise you are open to work, consider including:
- Your professional title or area of expertise
- “Open to work” or “Seeking new opportunities”
- The location(s) you are targeting in your search
- The type of role, level, industry or function you desire
- Top skills, specialties, or accomplishments you want to highlight
For example:
“Digital Marketing Director | Open to work | Based in Chicago | Seeking consumer brand roles”
This communicates your current position, availability, location, and desired focus. Headlines are prime real estate for employers and recruiters scanning profiles, so customize it thoughtfully.
Customizing Your Profile for a Job Search
Beyond your headline, ensure your full LinkedIn profile is optimized to advertise your qualifications and goals while open to work.
Profile Summary
Briefly share your career background, skills, interests, and aims. Close with a line advertising your search. For example: “Currently exploring new senior engineering opportunities related to autonomous vehicles.”
Experience Section
Detail key contributions, achievements, special projects, and promotions in each role. Emphasize transferable abilities versus day-to-day tasks.
Skills & Endorsements
List key proficiencies others can validate with endorsements. Prioritize strengths most relevant to target roles.
Education
Summarize degrees, certifications, training, and academic projects tied to desired qualifications.
Accomplishments
Showcase published works, honors, volunteering, courses taught, patents, and languages.
Recommendations
Request new recommendations highlighting capabilities applicable to your career goals.
Should You Notify Your Employer Before Posting?
There are two schools of thought on notifying your employer before posting that you are open to work:
Notify Your Employer
Pros:
- Shows courtesy and professionalism
- Allows manager to prepare for your departure
- Leaves things on good terms
- Lets you negotiate a reference
Cons:
- Awkward conversation
- Risks retaliation
- Employer may act first
Don’t Notify
Pros:
- Avoids awkwardness
- Prevents retaliation
- Maintains element of surprise
Cons:
- Perceived as disrespectful
- Hurts relationship
- Forfeits opportunity to negotiate exit
Weigh factors like job security, company culture, and manager relationship when deciding on notifying an employer. There are good arguments on both sides.
Alternatives to Posting You’re Open to Work
Posting you are open to work is not the only way to find jobs through LinkedIn. Here are some alternative search strategies:
Discreet Outreach
Privately message key connections about your search instead of a public announcement. This allows for more confidentiality.
Apply to Jobs
Respond to appealing openings through LinkedIn’s job board. This shows interest in specific roles.
Recruiters
Contact recruiters at your target companies about potential unlisted opportunities.
Content Sharing
Build visibility by sharing industry news, career advice, and original insights vs an open to work pronouncement.
Be Selective
Tell close contacts and certain groups you are looking, but avoid a general broadcast.
In-Person Networking
Attend industry events, conferences, and informational interviews to expand contacts.
Job Sites
Leverage broader job search platforms in addition to networking through LinkedIn.
Handling Unwanted Outreach
Posting you are open to work inevitably attracts recruiters and sales people pitching irrelevant offers. How can you filter them to focus on promising contacts?
Assess Fit
Review messages and profiles before responding to evaluate fit with your qualifications and goals. Politely decline offers clearly mismatching your background or location.
Customize Settings
Adjust your notification and privacy preferences on who can contact you. Restrict mass messages from those outside your network.
Ignore Irrelevant Pitches
Disregard generic outreach with no personalization or alignment to what you are seeking. Let those messages expire.
Target Companies
Proactively connect with contacts at organizations you want to work for. This allows you to guide conversations.
Save Time
Designate periods for networking and only check messages during those windows. Schedule blocks of time to ignore notifications.
Recruit Help
Ask trusted connections to refer you to opportunities and act as screening agents for their contacts.
Leverage tools and your network to filter outreach for promising job prospects. Stay focused on tailored conversations most relevant to your goals.
Should You Turn Off Open to Work Later?
Is it advisable to remove your open to work indicator after finding a new job? Here are factors to consider:
Reasons to Turn Off Open to Work
- Prevents continued outreach and awkward explanations
- Shows commitment to new employer
- Lets you fully focus on new role
- Removes search distraction for network
Reasons to Leave It On
- Maintains visibility for future opportunities
- Allows access to employer information
- Provides ongoing networking
- Displays marketability and demand
Evaluate your personal brand, network needs, career goals, and new job fit. There are benefits to both turning your indicator off or leaving it on. Do what feels right for your situation.
Conclusion
Posting that you are open to work on LinkedIn can expand your job search reach. But it requires thoughtfulness about risks, professionalism, and search strategy. Prioritize customizing your full profile to highlight your capabilities, accomplishments, and goals first before explicitly saying you are open to new opportunities. Then use LinkedIn’s tools and network wisely as part of a broader search process. Announce your search availability in a way that balances visibility with your employer relationship and personal brand.