When you see a job posting on LinkedIn that says “Actively Recruiting”, it typically means the employer is eager to hire for that role right away. They have an immediate need to fill the position, so they are actively looking for and screening candidates. Some key things to know about jobs marked “Actively Recruiting” on LinkedIn:
The role needs to be filled ASAP
Employers will mark a job as “Actively Recruiting” when they want to fill the position as soon as possible. This signals that the hiring process will move more quickly than a typical job posting. The company likely already has the budget and approval to bring someone on board right away.
The hiring process may be expedited
Not only does the employer want to fill the role quickly, but they are willing to accelerate parts of the hiring process to make that happen. You may see a quicker turnaround time between applying, initial interviews, and offers. It’s a good sign if you’re available to start soon.
There is an urgent need for this role
Postings marked this way indicate the employer needs this role filled urgently. There is likely a gap that needs to be filled, a project timeline that requires additional staff, or they simply can’t wait any longer to find the right candidate. Whatever the reason, their need is immediate.
You’ll get preference if you can start quickly
As a job seeker, if you are available to begin the role soon, you’ll likely get preference over candidates who require a longer timeframe before starting. Highlight your flexibility or immediate availability if possible.
Why Do Employers Mark a Job “Actively Recruiting”?
There are several scenarios where an employer will mark open positions as “Actively Recruiting” on LinkedIn:
They need to fill an unexpected gap
Whether due to sudden growth, an employee departure, or a new need identified by the business, companies can find themselves short-staffed unexpectedly. When an urgent gap appears on a team, they will start recruiting right away.
A time-sensitive project requires more staff
Sometimes new strategic initiatives or short-term projects come up that demand immediate hiring. Marking a job “Actively Recruiting” allows companies to staff up quickly for project work with definitive deadlines.
A seasonal spike creates open roles
In industries like retail and hospitality, seasonal busy periods result in a flood of open positions. Employers will try to fill these roles as fast as possible to meet customer demands.
They want to fill open jobs before end of quarter/fiscal year
For budgeting reasons, companies often want to fill headcount well before the end of a quarter or fiscal year. This allows the new hires to start soon enough to impact goals for that period.
A new office or location is opening
When openings are tied to a definitive launch date, such as a new office or expanded location, hiring needs to happen quickly. Employers will be actively recruiting in the weeks leading up to the opening.
A new project or initiative launches soon
The start date of a new project, product launch, or business initiative can also prompt companies to begin actively recruiting for roles tied to its rollout and success. They want people in place in time for launch.
Other recruiters have not filled the role
Sometimes a job gets marked as “Actively Recruiting” after sitting open for some time. This signals the company’s sense of urgency in finding the right fit for a difficult to fill or highly strategic role.
What Does “Actively Recruiting” Signal to Job Seekers?
Beyond indicating an urgent need at the employer, a job marked “Actively Recruiting” signals a few other key things to job seekers:
A speedy hiring process is likely
Since the employer wants to fill the job right away, you can expect a quick turnaround time between applying, interviewing, and potentially receiving an offer. The process could move in days or weeks rather than months.
Fewer hurdles to getting an interview
Given the urgency, you may face less rigid screening criteria to get an initial interview. Things like years of experience may be less important than availability.
Possible flexibility around exact role requirements
Hiring managers are likely open to candidates who meet the core skills needed even if they don’t check every box in the job description. With an urgent need to fill the role, some requirements may be flexible.
Opportunities to highlight passion and fit
You’ll stand out if you can convey genuine interest and enthusiasm for the company and role. Cultural add can outweigh skills that can be learned when the priority is filling the job fast.
Your negotiation leverage may be limited
Since they want to fill the job ASAP, employers recruiting actively may be less willing or able to negotiate on things like salary, benefits, or flexibility. You have some leverage as an in-demand candidate, but likely not as much as with a traditional job search.
Tips for Applying to “Actively Recruiting” Jobs on LinkedIn
Here are some top tips for making your application stand out when a LinkedIn job says “Actively Recruiting”:
Highlight your immediate availability
Emphasize your start date flexibility in your application materials and any initial conversations. Share how soon you can begin and any relevant details on timing that support an immediate transition.
Align your experience with urgent needs
Carefully read the job description to identify the most critical and immediate skills needed. Tailor your resume and cover letter to demonstrate how you are a match.
Convey excitement and passion
Share your enthusiasm for the company, team, role, products, mission, etc. Emotion and positivity can go a long way when there is an urgent need to fill the job.
Ask about expedited timelines
In initial outreach after applying, try asking about expedited steps in the process. Say you’re excited about the role and open to moving quickly. This can help accelerate things.
Follow up promptly at each stage
Maintain an energetic, responsive pace throughout the recruitment steps. Reply to emails ASAP, schedule interviews quickly, send thank you’s immediately. Momentum matters.
Be flexible on specifics
Focus discussions on the parts of the role you find most compelling, rather than rigid needs around job duties, titles, compensation etc. Stay open to possibilities.
Sell your ability to ramp up quickly
Demonstrate you are eager and able to get up to speed fast once in the role. Highlight skills like adaptability, collaborative attitude, and motivation to learn.
When are jobs marked “Actively Recruiting”?
While urgent recruiting needs can arise at any time, there are some common windows where employers are more likely to mark open positions as “Actively Recruiting” on LinkedIn:
Start of fiscal year or annual budget cycle
Companies often have new headcount approved at the beginning of each fiscal year or annual budget period. They want to fill it right away. This is a common time for active recruiting.
Project launch phases
In the ramp up to a major product launch, rebrand, office opening, or business initiative rollout – extra staffing needs arise quickly. Jobs may be marked active.
Peak seasonal periods
Retail and other seasonal industries need extra staff during busy times, like holidays. Hospitality and leisure roles often show active recruiting in early summer too.
Quarterly spikes in hiring demand
Some companies play “catch up” on hiring at the start of a quarter after slowing processes over the past period. This leads to bursts of active recruiting.
Final weeks of quarter/fiscal year
Conversely, employers sometimes rush to fill headcount at the very end of a quarter or fiscal year. This allows new hires to impact results.
Post holiday periods
The return to work after holidays or summer vacations can also be hectic hiring times. Companies mark roles active to fill gaps created by people being out.
Examples of Jobs Marked “Actively Recruiting”
Here are a few examples of common roles often marked as “Actively Recruiting” on LinkedIn due to urgent needs:
Customer service and support
With growth or seasonal spikes in inquiries, extra service staff is needed urgently. Customer experience roles are often marked active.
Nurses and medical staff
Hospitals and clinics running under capacity will start actively recruiting nurses, techs, assistants, etc to meet patient needs.
Engineers and product designers
Tech companies racing to hit new launch dates or roll out additional features actively recruit technical talent.
Sales professionals
Sales leader openings frequently show active recruiting so territories have coverage for entire quarters or year.
Teachers and education staff
Schools moving into a new semester or facing enrollment growth recruit teachers actively right before classes begin.
Executive and leadership roles
Critical leadership needs at the VP, Director, Manager levels often get marked actively recruiting when vacant.
Pros and Cons of Applying to “Actively Recruiting” Jobs
If you’re job hunting on LinkedIn, here are some potential pros and cons of focusing on roles marked “Actively Recruiting”:
Pros | Cons |
---|---|
Faster hiring process | Less negotiation leverage |
Great way to get foot in the door | Risk of rushed vetting and onboarding |
Ability to stand out with prompt communication | Could be plastering over deeper issues |
Emphasis more on transferable skills vs exact fit | Shorter runway to prove yourself |
Priority on filling the role over “perfect” hire | Stress and unpredictability if gaps persist |
Typical pros
– Faster hiring process with less waiting between stages
– Great way to get your foot in the door at a desirable company
– Ability to stand out with exceptional promptness in communication
– Emphasis more on transferable skills vs requiring an exact fit
– Priority on filling the role right now over finding a “perfect” hire
Potential cons
– Less negotiation leverage as a candidate since they are urgently hiring
– Risk of rushed vetting and onboarding processes as they fill the job quickly
– Could be plastering over deeper organizational issues by urgently hiring
– Shorter runway to prove yourself once in role before gaps appear again
– Stress and unpredictability if urgent recruiting fails to fill persistent resource gaps
Should You Prioritize Applying to “Actively Recruiting” Roles?
Focusing your job search on actively recruiting positions can be smart, but also comes with tradeoffs to weigh:
Better if you’re available immediately
Applying to actively recruiting roles works best if you’re able to start the new position right away. Leverage the urgency by emphasizing readiness.
Move cautiously if still employed
Those currently content in jobs should be selective about abandoning a stable situation for an unknown “urgent” role.
Ask lots of questions
Probe during interviews on reasons for the urgent opening, plans to address systemic gaps, job stability, etc.
Negotiate carefully
While urgency limits leverage, still aim for fair pay and avoid accepting a role out of desperation for any job.
Weigh long term appeal
Make sure the role aligns with your career aims and that urgency itself isn’t blinding you to bigger picture misalignment.
Consider it a potential foot in the door
If entering a new field or company, actively recruiting jobs can provide that crucial first step on the career ladder.
Leverage the faster timeline
For those facing tight financial constraints or in unstable jobs, active recruiting provides a quicker potential transition.
What to Ask About an “Actively Recruiting” Role
To assess if pursuing an actively recruiting position makes sense for you, here are key questions to ask:
Why is this specific role being hired for so urgently?
Understand the context behind the urgent need so you know what you’re walking into. Is it a temporary gap or chronic issue?
How long has this vacancy existed?
This helps reveal how long they’ve struggled to fill it and why speed is now so critical. Very recent needs differ from long-term gaps.
Is the rest of the team stable or also new?
Joining an established team differs from joining multiple new hires. Ask about broader staffing trends.
What are the top priorities for the person starting in this role?
Get clarity on what needs immediate focus when you start and expected speed of getting up to speed.
What training and support will be provided if I’m ramping up quickly?
Understand what resources are available if you’re facing a steep learning curve to deliver what they need.
Are other similar roles expected to open up soon?
If they are planning to continue expanding the team, it shows future stability.
How much flexibility is there around start date and hours?
Even urgent roles may allow some variances if it means getting the right person. Ask about wiggle room.
Conclusion
When weighing a job marked as “Actively Recruiting”, assess whether the urgency fits your needs and career plans or poses too much risk. Leverage the faster timeline but stay attuned to reasons for the employer’s desperation to fill the role. With the right questions and careful evaluation, taking advantage of active job openings can catalyze exciting new career steps and opportunities. Just don’t let urgency push you into an imperfect fit.