LinkedIn’s Open to Work feature is everywhere. That little green banner around your profile photo might feel like a quick way to boost visibility and land new job opportunities. But here’s the reality: the banner on its own won’t get you hired.
Recruiters do use LinkedIn Recruiter to filter for candidates who’ve marked themselves as “open,” which means switching it on can help you appear in more searches. But if your LinkedIn profile isn’t optimised - from your headline to your work experience - the feature won’t do much for you.
Think of LinkedIn Open to Work as a signal, not a full strategy. When combined with a strong LinkedIn profile, active networking, and clear personal branding, it can increase your chances of being noticed. When used in isolation, it can sometimes send the wrong message.
👉 In this guide, we’ll cover:
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How the feature works and who actually sees it
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Whether to use the public banner, private setting, or skip it altogether
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How to customise LinkedIn Open to Work so you attract the right job openings
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Mistakes to avoid that could hurt your job hunt
By the end, you’ll know how to use Open to Work the right way - as part of a bigger job search strategy that actually gets you interviews.
Understanding LinkedIn’s Open to Work Feature
At its core, LinkedIn Open to Work is LinkedIn’s way of signalling to recruiters (and sometimes your wider network) that you’re open to new opportunities. But there are two very different ways to use it - and the choice matters.
The two settings you can choose
Private (recommended for most job seekers)
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Only visible to recruiters using LinkedIn Recruiter.
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Your current employer (if they use LinkedIn Recruiter) won’t see it - LinkedIn automatically hides this signal from them.
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Best if you’re job hunting discreetly and don’t want colleagues to know.
Public (the green #OpenToWork banner)
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Shows up on your profile photo and is visible to all LinkedIn members.
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Signals loudly that you’re job hunting.
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Can increase visibility, but some recruiters (and hiring managers) see it as a bit desperate if your LinkedIn profile isn’t strong.
Why recruiters actually care
Recruiters use LinkedIn Recruiter filters to search for candidates who’ve marked themselves as “open.” By activating it, you’re far more likely to appear in recruiter searches for relevant job postings. But here’s the catch: they don’t click because of the banner — they click because your LinkedIn profile shows the right keywords, skills, and experience.
👉 Open to Work doesn’t replace a strong profile. It simply gives recruiters a nudge to notice you when they’re already searching for candidates.
How to Activate and Customise Your LinkedIn Open to Work Status
Switching on LinkedIn Open to Work takes less than a minute - but how you customise it determines whether recruiters actually reach out or scroll past.
Step-by-step: How to turn it on
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Go to your LinkedIn homepage and click “Me” → View Profile.
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Below your profile photo, click “Open to” → Finding a new job.
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Fill in the details:
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Job titles (e.g., Software Engineer, Marketing Manager, UX Designer).
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Locations (remote, hybrid, or specific cities).
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Start date (immediately / flexible).
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Job types (full-time, contract, freelance).
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Choose your visibility: Recruiters only or all LinkedIn members.
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Hit save.
Customisation tips that matter
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Be specific with job titles. Instead of “Tech Professional,” go with “Data Analyst” or “Full-Stack Developer.” Recruiters filter by exact titles.
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Include remote work. Even if you’re open to office roles, ticking “remote” increases the number of job opportunities you’ll appear in.
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Update regularly. If you shift industries or change target roles, update your Open to Work preferences so you stay relevant.
What recruiters actually see in LinkedIn Recruiter
If you’ve switched it on, recruiters using LinkedIn Recruiter Lite or LinkedIn Recruiter License will see your profile flagged as “Open.” This makes it easier for them to prioritise you over other candidates - but only if your profile keywords match their job description filters.
👉 Pro tip: Think of this like SEO for your profile. Use relevant keywords from job descriptions in your headline, About section, and Skills section so recruiters find you in searches.
Enhancing Professional Visibility with LinkedIn Open to Work
Turning on Open to Work is just the start. The real impact comes from how well you combine the feature with the rest of your LinkedIn profile.
Why visibility matters
Recruiters aren’t just searching for the green Open to Work banner - they’re searching by skills, job titles, and experience in LinkedIn Recruiter. Your profile needs to show up in those searches.
Best practices to maximise visibility
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Optimise your headline → Instead of just “Open to Work,” use: “Software Engineer | React, Node.js, AWS | Open to Remote Roles”. Check out: How to Write a LinkedIn Headline That Attracts Recruiters in 2025 (With Examples)
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Polish your profile photo → A clear, professional profile picture gets 21x more views than profiles without one.
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Add a strong summary → Highlight your top 3–4 skills and what makes you unique as a candidate.
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Use job alerts → Pair Open to Work with LinkedIn’s job alerts so you’re among the first to apply.
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Engage with content → Posting insights or commenting on industry trends shows you’re active — recruiters notice this.
Potential pitfalls to avoid
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❌ Leaving it too broad → If you list “Marketing” as your target role, recruiters won’t know if you’re looking for social media, product marketing, or demand gen.
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❌ Not updating skills → If your last skills update was 3 years ago, you’ll miss out on relevant job opportunities.
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❌ Relying on the banner alone → The banner gets you visibility, but your profile optimisation gets you interviews.
👉 Example: Two job seekers activate Open to Work. One leaves their profile bare. The other tailors their headline, updates their skills, and posts once a week. Guess who gets recruiter outreach first?
Networking Strategies Using LinkedIn
The LinkedIn Open to Work feature helps you get seen - but networking is what gets you remembered. On LinkedIn, the strongest job seekers aren’t just waiting for recruiters to find them. They’re actively building connections, engaging with their industry, and showing up consistently.
How to Network Effectively on LinkedIn
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Connect with intention. Don’t spray connection requests everywhere. Personalise each one with a short note: “Hi [Name], I admire your work in [field]. I’m exploring opportunities in [industry/role] and would love to connect.”
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Engage with content. Commenting thoughtfully on posts in your industry puts you on the radar of hiring managers and recruiters. (Hint: a strong comment often gets more visibility than a like.)
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Join LinkedIn groups. Relevant groups are still underused. They’re great places to find peers, discuss trends, and connect with people in your target companies.
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Use LinkedIn’s “Follow” strategically. Not ready to connect? Hit “Follow” on recruiters, hiring managers, and industry leaders to see their posts first. This gives you an excuse to engage before sending a request.
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Leverage warm introductions. If you see a second-degree connection at your target company, ask your mutual contact for an intro. This often carries more weight than cold outreach.
Why Networking Matters
Recruiters often prioritise candidates who come recommended by their network. A referral can increase your chances of landing an interview by 4x (according to LinkedIn data). So while Open to Work helps you show up in recruiter searches, networking turns visibility into actual conversations and opportunities.
👉 Pro tip: Block 10–15 minutes a day for networking activities on LinkedIn - whether that’s sending a connection request, commenting on a post, or messaging someone for an informational chat. Small, consistent actions compound fast.
Message Templates for Recruiters
Here are proven templates you can adapt to your own outreach:
Template 1 | Generic Request
Hi [Recruiter’s Name], I saw you’re hiring for the [Job Title] role at [Company]. I’m excited about the opportunity and believe my background with [Skill/Experience] is a great fit. I’d love to connect and share my CV with you.
Template 2 | Sending a Video Resume
Hi [Recruiter’s Name], I noticed that [Company] is currently hiring for [Job Title]. I’m a [Your Profession] with [X years] of experience in [Relevant Skills/Industry] and I’m exploring new opportunities in [Specific Field]. I’ve recorded a quick 30-second video introducing myself and explaining why I’d be a good fit. Here’s the link: [Insert Video Resume Link].
Best tool to create a video CV: www.reslink.io
Template 3 | Mutual Connection
Hi [Recruiter’s Name], I noticed we’re both connected with [Name]. [They] often speak highly of [Company], and I’m particularly interested in your work in [Specific Area]. With my background in [Relevant Field] and passion for [Relevant Interest], I’d love to connect and send over my CV to see if I might be a good fit for upcoming opportunities.
Template 4 | InMail Message
Hi [Recruiter’s Name], I’m reaching out following the job posting for [Role] at [Company]. I’m a [Your Profession] with [X years] of experience in [Relevant Skills]. I admire [Insert Specific Motivation for Company] and would love to connect with you to discuss my qualifications further. I’d be happy to send over my CV and, if helpful, a short video introduction as well.
Common Mistakes to Avoid with Open to Work
The Open to Work feature can boost visibility, but when used poorly, it can actually hurt your job hunt. Here are the biggest mistakes job seekers make:
❌ Treating Open to Work as your only strategy
Turning on the banner won’t replace a strong LinkedIn profile, tailored applications, or active networking. Think of it as one tool in your toolkit - not the whole job search plan.
❌ Using vague job titles
If your preferences just say “Tech Professional” or “Open to Anything,” recruiters won’t know where to place you. Be specific: “Front-End Developer,” “Data Analyst,” or “Marketing Manager.”
❌ Leaving your profile half-complete
Recruiters won’t contact someone with no headline, weak experience sections, or missing skills. If your LinkedIn profile isn’t optimised, the banner can actually highlight the gaps.
❌ Relying only on the public banner
Some candidates think the green banner guarantees attention. In reality, some hiring managers see it as desperate if not paired with a polished profile and clear personal brand. The private setting (recruiters only) is usually the smarter move.
❌ Forgetting to update your preferences
If you’ve moved from targeting Software Engineer to Product Manager but don’t update Open to Work, you’ll show up in the wrong recruiter searches - and miss relevant job opportunities.
👉 The takeaway: The Open to Work feature is powerful, but only when paired with a complete, keyword-rich profile and an active networking strategy. Use it strategically, not passively.
Integrating Open to Work with Personal Branding
The Open to Work feature doesn’t exist in isolation - it should be part of your wider personal brand on LinkedIn. Used strategically, it can enhance your visibility without undermining your professionalism.
Why personal branding matters
Recruiters don’t just look for candidates with the right skills - they look for professionals who present themselves clearly and confidently. A strong personal brand shows you’re intentional, credible, and ready for the next step in your career.
How to align Open to Work with your brand
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Optimise your profile photo and banner → If you’re using the public green #OpenToWork frame, make sure the rest of your profile image and banner look professional. No blurry selfies.
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Write a headline that sells → Don’t just say “Open to Work.” Use your headline to highlight your value: “Data Analyst | SQL, Python & Tableau | Turning Data into Decisions.”
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Show activity on your feed → Post content, comment on industry discussions, or share insights. Recruiters check your activity tab — if it’s blank, it looks like you’re not engaged.
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Add proof of skills → Upload project examples, portfolio links, or case studies. These make your Open to Work status more credible.
Blending Open to Work into your story
Instead of just being open, show what you’re open for. For example:
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“Currently open to new roles in full-stack development, specialising in React and Node.js. Excited to build scalable web applications and work in fast-paced environments.”
This turns your Open to Work status from a signal of availability into a positioning statement that highlights your strengths.
👉 The takeaway: Open to Work works best when it fits seamlessly into your personal brand. Combine it with a strong headline, visible skills, and an active LinkedIn presence, and you’ll come across as prepared - not just available.
Key Takeaway: Should You Use LinkedIn’s Open to Work?
So, is the Open to Work feature worth it? The answer is: yes - but only if you use it wisely.
Here are the key takeaways:
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✅ Choose the right setting: Go private with Open Candidates if you want only recruiters to see it, or public if you’re happy for every LinkedIn member to know you’re open.
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✅ Optimise your LinkedIn profile first: LinkedIn Recruiter users rely on keywords to filter candidates. If your profile isn’t aligned with relevant job descriptions, you’ll miss out on visibility.
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✅ Think beyond the banner: Use features like LinkedIn groups, work posts, and even Sales Navigator connections to build your network and signal credibility.
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✅ Customise for relevance: Tailor your preferences for accurate job titles, skills, and locations so recruiters see you for the right job openings.
At the end of the day, Open to Work is a signal, not a strategy. It won’t land you your next role by itself - but for any job seeker who pairs it with a strong profile, networking, and branding, it can help open doors to meaningful job opportunities.
👉 Ready to go further? Join the TechTalk community to get peer feedback, profile reviews, and expert coaching that helps job seekers stand out to recruiters and hiring managers.
FAQs: Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can my employer see if I’m using Open to Work
Not if you use the Open Candidates setting. This makes your status visible only to recruiters with LinkedIn Recruiter or LinkedIn Recruiter Lite, while automatically hiding it from your current employer. It’s the safest option for job seekers who want to keep their search private.
2. Does Open to Work make me look desperate?
This is probably the most common concern. The truth is, recruiters expect job seekers to signal availability - it’s not a red flag in itself. What does look desperate is relying only on the work banner without a strong LinkedIn profile, keywords, or activity to back it up. If you’re worried, use the private option and pair it with active networking in LinkedIn groups or sharing a professional work post.
3. Is Open to Work a red flag for recruiters or hiring managers?
Most recruiters don’t see it as negative - in fact, many filter for it using LinkedIn Recruiter users settings. But some hiring managers may assume candidates with the green banner are less selective. That’s why it’s important to also optimise your headline, summary, and skills to show you’re focused and credible.
4. Should I join LinkedIn groups as part of my job search?
Yes. Joining active LinkedIn groups helps you build credibility, expand your network, and position yourself as an engaged LinkedIn member. Recruiters often check group activity when assessing whether you’re invested in your career development.
5. How else can I boost visibility beyond Open to Work?
Don’t rely on the banner alone. Share updates, comment on industry posts, or create a work post about your skills and accomplishments. Advanced tools like LinkedIn Sales Navigator also help you identify and connect with hiring managers directly.
6. What’s the difference between Open to Work and Open Candidates?
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Open Candidates = private signal, visible only to recruiters via LinkedIn Recruiter.
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Open to Work (public banner) = green #OpenToWork work frame around your profile photo, visible to all LinkedIn members.
7. How do I use Open to Work without looking desperate?
Make it part of a bigger strategy. Update your LinkedIn profile, highlight relevant keywords, and post about projects or industry insights. Recruiters care more about your overall visibility, skills, and activity than whether you have the open to work feature switched on.
