When (and How) To Use “Open to Work” on LinkedIn
In the latest of what seems like a never-ending stream of bad advice, a self-proclaimed career influencer posted that it was a sign of desperation to say that you're Open to Work on LinkedIn. It's not.
Recruiters actively use the Open to Work filter to find applicants. They can search for candidates who have turned on the feature and contact them to discuss job opportunities.
Open to Work also shows your connections and prospective employers that you're in the job market. People can't help you with job leads, making connections, or referring you to open roles if they don't know you're looking. Advertising that you're available makes it easier for the people you know to help you and companies to find you.
On the downside, LinkedIn is full of spammers and scammers who use Open to Work to pitch services and take advantage of job seekers. You can be inundated with offers for resume reviews, career coaching, and job search assistance that you most likely don't need or that could be a scam.
If you're employed, you don't want your boss or co-workers to find out you're thinking about moving on. You also may not want your clients or other connections to discover that you're job hunting on the sly.
When you’re worried about getting caught or being overwhelmed with In Mail, you don't need to use LinkedIn's green Open to Work banner. Instead, you can only show recruiters (excluding those at your current company) that you're available.
How To Write an Open to Work Post
Done right, a LinkedIn Open to Work post is an effective strategy for marketing your job search and getting your credentials noticed.
When writing your post, it's essential to provide context for your search so that your contacts know what you can do and a strong call to action so that they feel compelled to connect you with opportunities. Here's how to write a post that will help you get hired.
How To Add an Open to Work Frame to Your Profile
If you want to add the "Open to Work" Frame to your profile without creating a post, it's easy to do:
Click Me at the top of the page
Click View Profile
Click Your profile picture
Click Frames
Select the Open to Work frame
Here are step-by-step instructions.
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Search LinkedIn Posts for Jobs: One way to find jobs that aren’t listed on job boards is to search LinkedIn posts for roles that match your interest. You’ll find job listings posted by LinkedIn members and there may be less competition than for positions that are posted on job boards. To search: use the job title you’re interested in as a keyword in the search box at the top of the page (for example, “customer service manager”), and click Posts. You can use filters to search by date posted and sort by most recent or top match. Also, keep an eye on the jobs that people in your network are posting.
Say Thank You: Sending a thank-you note after a job interview, a networking event, an informational interview, or to say thanks for a job lead or a referral is a great way to show appreciation for the help. Here's how to write a thank you note, with examples for various job search and career-related circumstances.
Truity Photo Career Quiz: The Photo Career Quiz is a fun quiz that only takes a few minutes. All you need to do is look at a series of two photographs and click on which one you like best. When you’re done, you’ll get a free profile of your career interests.
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Absolutely, the "Open to Work" feature on LinkedIn is one of the best tools you can use to increase your visibility to recruiters—but only if you use it the right way.
Turning it on boosts your ranking in LinkedIn Recruiter searches, meaning you show up higher when headhunters are looking for candidates like you. But here’s where people go wrong: using the green banner. That’s a mistake. The “for recruiters only” setting is far superior, and here’s why:
1. Phishing & Hiring Scams Are Everywhere
That public green banner is like a neon sign for scammers. Fake recruiters, shady job offers, and phishing attempts skyrocket when people see you’re actively looking. LinkedIn is full of bad actors who prey on job seekers, and the banner makes you an easy target.
2. Unemployment Bias is Real
Like it or not, there’s still a stigma around active job searching—especially at the executive level. Some recruiters (and employers) will assume that if you’re publicly looking, something went wrong in your last role. When you keep it private, you get the ranking boost without the risk of bias.
3. You'll Get Stalked by Resume Writers & "Career Coaches"
The moment you slap on that green banner, you’re not just getting recruiter attention—you’re inviting an army of resume writers, career coaches, and self-proclaimed "experts" to flood your inbox with offers. You’ll spend more time dodging sales pitches than engaging with real opportunities.
The Smarter Move? Turn on “Open to Work” for Recruiters Only
You get all the algorithmic benefits, higher ranking in searches, and actual recruiter outreach—without broadcasting your job search to the entire world.
So if you’re serious about landing your next opportunity, ditch the green banner. Visibility to the right people matters far more than visibility to everyone.