What Is LinkedIn Open to Work? How the Feature Works
LinkedIn Open to Work is a profile feature that lets you signal to recruiters and your network that you are actively seeking new job opportunities. When you enable it, you can choose to display a green Open to Work banner on your profile photo visible to all LinkedIn members, or you can limit visibility to recruiters only using LinkedIn’s recruiter tools.
The feature was launched in 2020 and has become one of the most used job-seeking tools on LinkedIn. According to LinkedIn, members who use Open to Work receive 2x more InMail messages from recruiters and 40% more recruiter messages overall compared to profiles without the signal enabled.
Two Visibility Options for Open to Work
- All LinkedIn members – A green circular frame with the text “Open to Work” appears on your profile photo. This is visible on your profile, in search results, and when you comment or post. It clearly signals your job search status to everyone, including your current employer.
- Recruiters only – Your job-seeking status is only visible to recruiters who use LinkedIn Recruiter tools. Your profile photo does not show the green banner publicly. This option is recommended if you are conducting a confidential job search while currently employed. Note that LinkedIn cannot guarantee your current employer will not see this signal, especially if they have a company recruiter license.
How to Enable Open to Work on LinkedIn
- Go to your LinkedIn profile
- Click the Open to button below your profile photo and headline
- Select Finding a new job
- Enter your job preferences: desired job titles, work location types (remote, hybrid, on-site), desired start date, and job types (full-time, part-time, contract, internship)
- Choose who can see your Open to Work status (All LinkedIn members or Recruiters only)
- Click Add to profile
What Information to Include When Setting Up Open to Work
The more specific you are about your job preferences, the more accurately LinkedIn can surface your profile to relevant recruiters. Include:
- Multiple job title variations (e.g., both “Marketing Manager” and “Digital Marketing Manager”)
- All location preferences, including remote if you are open to it
- Your ideal start date (choosing “Immediately” signals urgency to recruiters)
- All relevant job types you would consider
Should You Use the Public Open to Work Banner?
The public green banner maximizes recruiter attention but may concern your current employer. If you are currently employed and conducting a quiet job search, use the Recruiters only option. If you are unemployed or openly seeking, the public banner increases your visibility significantly and removes any ambiguity about your availability.
