By now, you’ve likely come across the green badges splattered all over LinkedIn, signaling someone is #opentowork. Whether folks are currently unemployed and avidly hunting for their next gig or quietly opting out of their present roles, many are choosing to make their job-seeking status visible on the career platform.
On a global scale, LinkedIn reports that over 220 million individuals now utilize the “open to work” feature, choosing either to keep it private or let it be public. That figure represents a 35% surge compared to this time last year, suggesting the challenging nature of today’s job market.
LinkedIn introduced its “open to work” option back in 2020, allowing users to indicate their job-hunting status. They can either subtly notify just recruiters or boldly display a green badge to everyone on their profile. But is adopting this feature always a wise choice? Some recruiters are divided.
“There’s been such a massive debate on LinkedIn about the ‘open to work’ badge, with a mix of employers and recruiters firmly entrenched on both sides,” explained Tatiana Becker, who started up NIAH Recruiting.
Debra Boggs, the brains behind D&S Executive Career Management, expresses reservations about the green “open to work” badge or banner for those who opt to go public with their job-seeking status. By doing so, she contends, “You are bringing the focus to your employment status and away from your unique value in the market and qualifications for the role.” Moreover, Boggs notes, “many recruiters and hiring managers feel that it makes a job seeker look desperate, which is not an attractive quality when looking for a stand-out leader to run a function or a business.”
For those hunting entry to mid-level positions, Boggs suggests activating the “open to work” feature but only for recruiters. “This way, recruiters hunting for qualified candidates know you’re actively searching, but it’s not considered a red flag,” she stated. However, she advises everyone to “avoid the green banner” visible to all.
Contrarily, Becker sees no shame in letting the world know your job status. “I say: Put the badge on,” she asserts. In earlier times, frequent job changes were frowned upon, Becker points out. Yet, the landscape shifted when the Covid pandemic led to mass layoffs through no fault of individuals, followed by further cuts after a hiring spree.
“It’s old fashioned and biased to view the ‘open to work’ badge as a red flag,” Becker insists. Furthermore, she argues, why shun potential assistance? The badge acts as a beacon for companies and recruiters searching for candidates.
Utilizing the “open to work” feature can indeed double an individual’s chances of garnering a message from recruiters, according to LinkedIn statistics. Those opting for the public display of the green badge might enhance that likelihood by 40%. “I think there are far more desperate practices on LinkedIn,” notes recruitment consultant Tiffany Dyba.
At the end of the day, where does this discussion leave us? “Do what you feel is best for you,” Dyba advises. “It sounds trite, but I really don’t think there is a right or wrong to the ‘open to work.'”
