LinkedIn launched the ‘Open to Work’ banner feature in 2020, alongside the ‘I’m Vaccinated’ and several other colorful options. It was a time when the world was grappling with uncertainty due to the pandemic. Companies were shutting down and layoffs were happening to thousands every other day. It can be a fair assumption that the ‘Open to Work’ banner served its purpose then, allowing people to broadcast their situation. During a time when every other person had lost their job, the banner certainly did not raise eyebrows, far from it- it was a mark of resilience and shared struggles.
But Does the Banner Work Now?
4 years later, does it really serve the same purpose? LinkedIn claims that turning the ‘Open to Work’ banner helps recruiters be aware of your profile. But if your skills match the role, recruiters are aware of your profile regardless of the banner. LinkedIn further claims that you have the power to share the information with the entire LinkedIn community or recruiters outside of your organization but at the same time, does not guarantee complete privacy. That is because companies have found ways to work around them. They have their own network, and the discreet nature of the banner no longer applies which possibly means that you have painted a target on your own back.
Should YOU Turn the Banner On?
It is important to remember that recruiters come with their own bias, and it is hard to please everyone. But at the end of the day, most recruiters prefer to tap into passive candidates. A fair number of them have gone on to say that the banner turns them off from contacting a possible candidate as they believe top talents are usually not out of work. But at the same time, it does not deter some and they could not care less.
But one must ponder, does turning on the ‘Open to Work’ banner open the door for scams and shady recruiters? Maybe. At the end of the day, you understand your network better than anyone else. Would the banner work or would a more targeted approach where you reach out to key people in your network be better?
Learn more about how to create a standout LinkedIn profile here.
