With 875 million members in more than 200 countries and territories worldwide, LinkedIn is one of the best places to search for your next employment opportunity. However, there’s a right and wrong way to let employers know that you’re open to work.
The easiest thing you can do is publish a post that you’re open to work, but this often comes across as desperate. Plus, your post has the potential to get buried in the countless other pieces of content posted every day.
Fortunately, the platform has added an easier—and more visible—way to let employers know you’re seeking a new opportunity.
Many people are unfamiliar with the “Open to Work” photo frame on LinkedIn. The platform introduced this feature to show recruiters and personal networks when individuals are open to job opportunities. The settings allow you to “specify the types of job opportunities that you’re interested in and your preferred location” to make your profile more visible to relevant recruiters.
You can make the “Open to Work” frame on your profile photo visible to all LinkedIn members, including employees at your current company, or recruiters only.
The main consideration is who you want to know you’re open to work. If you’re currently unemployed, you won’t have any concerns about someone at your previous company seeing your status. But if you’re employed and attempting to keep your job search under wraps, you’ll want to select “recruiters only.”
When the time comes, you can remove the feature by clicking the edit icon on the Open to Work box at the top of your profile.
No matter how you let employers and recruiters know you’re open to work, there are some basic mistakes to avoid. The right strategy puts you in the best position possible to land an interview and receive a job offer. Here are a few missteps that could derail your search:
You only get one chance to make a good first impression. When speaking with recruiters and hiring managers, always be professional—remember that these are new connections, even if interacting online seems more casual. Your behavior on LinkedIn should also be consistent during follow-up conversations over the phone and in person.
What can you do to prove that you’re more qualified than the many other candidates using LinkedIn? Make sure your profile reflects your education and experience, including relevant certifications and awards and overviews of major projects. Sharing your accomplishments online won’t replace your resume, but you should be able to present the information in a way that gets recruiters’ attention and provides some substance.
No matter the circumstances surrounding your previous position, it’s wise to avoid creating a negative impression. If asked about your previous position, stick to what matters: your job responsibilities and performance. Highlight your willingness to take on new challenges and how your current or previous role has prepared you for the job you’re interested in.
As you connect with more people on LinkedIn, think about the responses you receive. Use that feedback to inform future interactions to ensure you’re a more desirable candidate.
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