In the competitive world of job hunting, LinkedIn ‘s “Open To Work” banner has become a common feature for job seekers looking to signal their availability to potential employers. However, according to Nolan Church, a former Alphabet Inc recruiter and current CEO of FairComp, activating this banner might actually be detrimental to landing a job.
In an interview with CNBC, Church emphasized that in the realm of recruiting, there’s a common belief that the best candidates are not actively seeking jobs. By displaying an “open to work” banner, candidates inadvertently reveal that they are in need, potentially giving employers the upper hand in negotiations.
This sentiment is echoed by Lindsay Mustain, a former recruiter at Amazon.com Inc, who highlights the power dynamics at play in the hiring process. Mustain argues that recruiters prefer to court candidates rather than vice versa. Therefore, openly signaling availability could diminish a candidate’s bargaining power.
Despite this skepticism from hiring experts, LinkedIn itself promotes the “Open To Work” feature as a way to attract job opportunities. According to LinkedIn data, users with this banner are twice as likely to receive messages from recruiters and 20% more likely to receive messages from the broader LinkedIn community.
However, the effectiveness of the banner remains ambiguous. While it may increase visibility, particularly for smaller companies that may not utilize LinkedIn’s recruiter tools, its impact ultimately depends on individual company and hiring manager preferences.
Career coach Phoebe Gavin emphasizes the importance of a comprehensive LinkedIn profile beyond just the “Open To Work” banner. Gavin suggests including detailed information about titles, achievements, keywords, and featured links that demonstrate industry involvement.
In conclusion, while the “Open To Work” banner may serve as a useful tool for some job seekers, others caution against its potential drawbacks. As with any aspect of the job search process, it’s essential for candidates to consider their individual circumstances and tailor their approach accordingly.
