If you’re in the market for a new role, LinkedIn can revolutionise your job search.
At the end of last year, there were 44.4 million users on LinkedIn in the UK, and YouGov found that half are using the platform to look for a new job.
One of the most underused tools on the platform is LinkedIn’s ‘Open to Work’ feature. If you learn how to use it properly you can connect with employers more effectively and optimise your job search. This is especially important as Finances Online reported that 72% of recruiters use LinkedIn as a hiring tool.
In this blog, we’ll explore how to use LinkedIn’s Open To Work feature to find your next role.
How does LinkedIn’s ‘Open to Work’ feature work?
LinkedIn’s Open To Work feature lets potential employers and recruiters on the platform know you’re interested in new job opportunities.
To enable the feature, head to your LinkedIn profile and hit the ‘Open to’ button. Here, you can select ‘Finding a new job’ and choose who the status is visible to.
One of the best features of the tool is that it allows you to control who can see your status.
By selecting ‘Recruiters only’, LinkedIn works to avoid users from your current company seeing that you’re open to work. This is in place to protect your privacy and avoid awkward situations with your present employer.
Selecting ‘All LinkedIn members’ adds the #OpenToWork frame to your profile picture, making it visible to everyone on the platform. This is recommended for jobseekers who are currently between roles.
How to use LinkedIn’s ‘Open to Work’ feature
1. Be precise about what you’re looking for
When you select the public version of the ‘Open to Work’ feature, LinkedIn will encourage you to post about the opportunities you’re looking for and give you a structure on how to do so.
If you want to really stand out, the generic template alone won’t do the job.
When you announce you’re looking for work, precision is key. Include specific details about the roles you are interested in to let connections and recruiters know how they can help with your job search.
Highlight information such as:
- Job titles: List some of the specific roles and titles you’re interested in, as well as your goals for the future.
- Areas of interest: Is there a specific industry you have experience with or a sector you would like to move into? If so, mention it in this post – you never know who is looking!
- Work preferences: Specify a location where you’re looking for work, or whether you’d be willing to relocate. If you’re looking for hybrid or remote work, make this clear in your post.
- Up-to-date contact information: Ensure your network and recruiters know how to contact you, whether that’s through LinkedIn or via email.
Don’t forget: when you use the ‘Open to Work’ feature, you invite recruiters and connections to view your LinkedIn profile.
Check your headline, about section, and employment history to make sure all of your information is up-to-date, accurate, and relevant to the opportunities you are interested in.
Learn more about optimising your LinkedIn Profile for your job hunt here.
2. Highlight your experience
Like on your CV, an ‘Open To Work’ post on LinkedIn is a great opportunity to showcase your skills and professional achievements to date.
There’s no need to go into lots of detail. Think of your ‘Open to Work’ post as an opportunity to emphasise key skills that match the roles you are seeking, such as:
- Strategic planning
- Digital transformation
- Team leadership
- Coordinating with C-Suite leaders
- Specific software and technical competencies.
Briefly mention successful projects you’ve led in previous positions to show recruiters and hiring managers the positive impact you can bring to a role. Include specific figures to back up your claims.
- Example: “In my previous role, I led a digital transformation strategy that reduced operational costs by 45% and improved team productivity by 35%”.
If you’ve previously won an award or earned a significant certification, mention it in the post.
3. Go the extra mile to stand out
There are a few extra steps you can take to help boost your post:
- Instead of the standard #OpenToWork tag, add some targeted hashtags to help you reach the right audience. This could be the job title or industry you’re aiming for.
- Add an image to your post. This could be a photo of you or a custom graphic to accompany your announcement. Not only does it attract attention on a busy newsfeed, but the LinkedIn algorithm favours posts that include photos.
- Include a clear call to action. How exactly do you want recruiters and connections to help you? For example: asking your network to share and engage with your post will help it reach a larger audience and encourage your connections to keep you in mind if they come across a relevant job posting.
- Respond to recruiters promptly to find out more information about the position they have available. You can learn more about connecting with recruiters in our LinkedIn guide.
When LinkedIn’s Open To Work feature is used correctly, it helps you get your name out there, connect with your network and recruiters, and find your next opportunity.
Being specific about the roles you are interested in and showcasing your professional achievements will encourage potential employers to get in touch.
At The CV Guru, we understand the importance of LinkedIn in your job hunt, which is why we include a LinkedIn profile in our CV Writing Bundles.
Our expert CV writers will be delighted to revitalise your profile and help you make a lasting impression on recruiters!