TL;DR: #OpenToWork is a LinkedIn feature that lets job seekers signal they are looking for new opportunities. When you turn it on, you can either display a green “#OpenToWork” banner on your profile photo for everyone to see, or quietly alert only recruiters. This boosts your visibility – profiles with the public badge get ~40% more recruiter messages on average . However, a public badge also means your current employer can see it, so if you need privacy you might use the recruiters-only setting. Overall, the #OpenToWork badge can help you attract recruiters and support from your network, but it’s most effective when paired with a strong LinkedIn profile and active job search. Tools like Apt – an AI-powered career test and mentor – can further help #OpenToWork users by improving their resumes, LinkedIn profiles, and career strategy. 🎯

What Does #OpenToWork Mean on LinkedIn?

LinkedIn’s #OpenToWork is a special profile designation for job seekers. When enabled, it publicly signals that “Hey, I’m open to new job opportunities!” by adding a distinctive green ring with the hashtag “OpenToWork” around your profile picture. This feature was introduced in mid-2020 amid widespread layoffs, as a way to help people advertise their availability . It has since become very popular – LinkedIn reports that over 200 million members have used Open To Work (mostly in private mode), and as of mid-2024 around 40 million people had the green #OpenToWork badge visible on their profile in a single month . In other words, if you scroll through LinkedIn these days, it’s quite common to see that green OpenToWork banner on profiles.

How #OpenToWork Works (Public vs. Recruiters-Only)

When you set up OpenToWork on LinkedIn, you have two options for who gets to know about your job-seeking status :

• Public (All LinkedIn Members): Choosing “All LinkedIn members” adds the green #OpenToWork banner to your profile photo that everyone on LinkedIn can see – including recruiters and people at your current company. Your profile also lists the job titles, locations, and job types you’re open to. This high-visibility option can attract recruiters, and even prompt colleagues or connections to refer you for openings since they clearly see you’re looking.

• Recruiters Only (Private): Choosing “Recruiters only” will not add any public badge on your profile. Only recruiters using LinkedIn’s special Recruiter tool will see that you’re open to new opportunities. LinkedIn tries to hide this from recruiters at your current employer to protect your privacy (so your boss isn’t alerted). However, it’s not 100% guaranteed – there’s a small chance someone at your company with recruiter access could see your open-to-work status . The benefit of this private setting is that you can signal recruiters discreetly without broadcasting your job hunt to the world.

To turn on OpenToWork, you simply go to your LinkedIn profile and click the “Open To” button (usually near your profile picture) and select “Finding a new job.” There you can set details like the job titles you want, locations, whether you want remote work, and so on. If you choose the public option, the green #OpenToWork frame is applied to your photo immediately . If you choose private, only recruiters know. In both cases, filling out your job preferences helps LinkedIn’s algorithm show your profile to recruiters searching for candidates like you .

Public vs. Private #OpenToWork at a Glance

To summarize the two modes, here’s a quick comparison:

Both options will flag your profile in LinkedIn’s recruiter search results when they look for candidates. In fact, many recruiters actively filter for people who have indicated they’re open to new opportunities . It helps them find responsive candidates and avoid wasting time on those not looking. As one recruiting insider put it, “Recruiters always, always filter for candidates who are Open to Work… That’s the only way to stretch their InMail budget.” So, simply having OpenToWork turned on (even privately) can put you on more recruiters’ radar by default. And if you go public, you get the added benefit of your broader LinkedIn network knowing you’re open – which can lead to colleagues or friends sending leads your way.

Why Job Seekers Use #OpenToWork

If you’re a job seeker, especially in a competitive market, the #OpenToWork feature can provide a much-needed visibility boost. Here are a few reasons candidates use it:

• 👀 Increased Visibility to Recruiters: The green badge immediately tells recruiters that you’re available. LinkedIn’s own data shows profiles with the public #OpenToWork frame get about 40% more recruiter messages on average . Since it launched, public badge users have been receiving roughly 2× the InMails compared to those without the badge . That’s a significant uptick in outreach, which can really increase your chances of landing interviews.

• 🤝 Signals Your Network to Help: Having OpenToWork visible can rally support from your connections. LinkedIn noted that members with the public badge are ~20% more likely to receive messages or help from their network (like job referrals, comments, or advice) . In essence, it lets friends, former coworkers, and mentors know “I’m job hunting” – so they might think of you when they hear of relevant opportunities. Sometimes, it truly “takes a village” to land a great job, and this badge invites that village to pitch in.

• ⏱️ Faster Discovery in Searches: By specifying your desired roles and locations when you turn on OpenToWork, you help LinkedIn match you to jobs and recruiters more efficiently. You may notice more relevant job recommendations in your feed, and recruiters might find you faster because you appear in searches filtered for open candidates . Being among the first candidates a recruiter contacts (thanks to those filters) can give you a timing edge – and applying early in a job posting’s life increases your odds of success.

• 👍 Clarity and Openness: Using the badge is a clear statement of intent. It removes any guessing about whether you’re open to new roles. Recruiters don’t have to dance around the question, and you don’t have to drop subtle hints in your profile or headline – it’s unambiguous. This can lead to more straightforward conversations. As LinkedIn itself puts it, making your job search visible can “reduce the time it takes for the right opportunities to come your way.” You’re essentially rolling out the welcome mat for job opportunities.

In short, #OpenToWork can be a powerful tool in a job seeker’s arsenal – it puts you in front of more people who can help you land a job.

Pros and Cons of the #OpenToWork Badge

Like any tool, OpenToWork isn’t all upside. There are some potential downsides and considerations to keep in mind. Let’s break down the major pros and cons:

✅ Pros of Using #OpenToWork

• Higher Recruiter Engagement: As mentioned, you’re likely to get substantially more attention from recruiters with the badge on . They know at a glance you’re available, which can put you at the top of their outreach list when time is tight. Many recruiters will start with candidates who have signaled they’re open, since those folks are more apt to respond quickly.

• Wider Network Support: The badge effectively crowdsources your job search to your LinkedIn network. By openly signaling your status, you invite colleagues, alumni, and friends to send opportunities your way. People can’t help you if they don’t know you need help – #OpenToWork makes sure they know. That supportive nudge can surface “hidden” jobs (unposted roles or internal openings) through referrals.

• No Cost & Easy to Use: It’s free and only takes a minute to set up. There’s very little effort or risk in turning it on. If you decide it’s not working out, you can toggle it off just as easily. This low commitment means you can experiment; for example, try the public badge for a few weeks to gauge results. If it doesn’t help or you feel uneasy, you can switch to private or turn it off – no harm done.

• Potential Leverage in Hiring: Anecdotally, having the badge might lead to multiple offers or interviews at once, which can increase your bargaining power. If recruiters see you as “in-demand” (because multiple companies are reaching out to you), you might have an easier time negotiating better salary or perks. It’s not the badge itself doing this, but the increased volume of interest it can generate.

⚠️ Cons (Possible Downsides)

• Zero Privacy (If Public): The most obvious downside of the public badge is that everyone knows you’re job hunting – including your current boss. If you’re still employed and don’t want to broadcast that you’re on the market, a public #OpenToWork can be awkward or even risky. It could prompt difficult conversations at work, or in worst cases, jeopardize your current position. The private setting is safer for discretion, but as noted, it’s not foolproof – there’s a small chance someone at your company could find out . So if secrecy is a must, it’s probably better not to use the public badge at all.

• “Desperation” Stigma (Debatable): There’s been debate about whether the green badge makes candidates look desperate. A few hiring managers and recruiters (a minority) have voiced negative opinions – for instance, some have called it “cringe” or a signal that a person isn’t a top-tier candidate . One recruiter quoted by CNBC even likened the badge to “asking for a handout on a street corner.” 😬 The good news is that surveys show most recruiters don’t see it this way. In fact, 91% of hiring professionals said the #OpenToWork banner does not deter them from contacting a candidate . Only a small ~9% sliver viewed it as a red flag. So while the stigma exists in some circles, it appears to be the exception, not the rule. Still, it’s something to be aware of: a handful of people might judge the badge negatively. (On the flip side, many career experts point out that if an employer is turned off just because you indicated you’re looking, that might be a company you’d think twice about anyway.)

• Not a Magic Wand – Profile Matters: Turning on #OpenToWork won’t guarantee you a job. Think of it as a spotlight – it shines attention on you, but what people see when that spotlight is on is what really counts. If your LinkedIn profile is out-of-date, sparse on details, or not showcasing your skills, the badge alone won’t help much. In fact, some recruiters might ignore profiles with a badge if the profile itself looks incomplete or inactive, worrying it could be a fake or not worth their time. So, you still need to put in work to optimize your profile (more on that below). The badge is most effective alongside a compelling profile and resume. Also, if you end up sporting the badge for many months, a few folks might wonder why you haven’t been snatched up yet – but generally, duration alone isn’t a huge issue (especially in tough job markets).

• Less Useful for Execs: Context matters – at very senior levels (think C-suite executives), it’s uncommon to publicly announce a job search on LinkedIn. Top executives often find roles through private networks or headhunters, so the #OpenToWork badge might even look a bit out-of-place in those circles. If you’re at a high level in a field where personal branding and confidentiality are critical, you might lean towards a more discreet job search approach (and likely wouldn’t be broadcasting with a green banner).

• Minor Risk of Spam/Scams: Being visibly “open to work” can occasionally attract unsavory attention. Unfortunately, scammers and spam recruiters do exist on LinkedIn. If you advertise that you’re job hunting, be prepared for the possibility of a few sketchy messages (e.g. fake "job offers" that ask you to pay, or MLM schemes, etc.). This isn’t a reason to avoid the feature—just stay vigilant and use common sense. If someone reaches out with something that seems too good to be true or asks for weird stuff (like money upfront), approach with caution whether you have the badge or not.

In summary, the downsides of OpenToWork mainly boil down to privacy and perception. For many people, the benefits (visibility and opportunity) outweigh those concerns, especially if you’re in a secure position to job hunt openly. But it’s wise to consider your personal situation. If you need to keep things on the down-low, you might opt for the private mode or hold off on using the feature until you’re ready to go public.

Tips to Make the Most of #OpenToWork

If you do decide to use OpenToWork, remember that it’s just one tool. To really maximize your chances:

• Optimize Your LinkedIn Profile: Treat your profile like a living resume. Make sure your headline and About section include relevant keywords and clearly state what you do (or want to do). Update your experience with accomplishments and skills. Add a professional profile photo if you haven’t (it helps a ton). The idea is that when recruiters or connections see your #OpenToWork badge and click your profile, they’ll be impressed by what they find. (Pro tip: If you only use the private recruiters-only setting, consider subtly indicating you’re open in your headline or summary – e.g. “Product Manager open to new opportunities” – so that regular viewers get a hint of your status without an official badge .)

• Stay Active on LinkedIn: Don’t just flip on the badge and disappear. Engage on the platform a bit. Share or comment on industry news, post insights, or even make a post about seeking opportunities (some use the hashtag #OpenToWork in posts too). Activity can increase your visibility on LinkedIn’s feed and show recruiters you’re motivated and knowledgeable. Plus, your connections might spot your posts and realize you’re looking.

• Use the Feature as a Conversation Starter: You can mention in messages or interviews that you’ve made your search public. It signals confidence and proactiveness. For example, if a recruiter calls you, you might say, “As you probably saw on my LinkedIn, I’ve made it clear I’m exploring new opportunities.” It reinforces that you’re serious and enthusiastic about finding the right role.

• Keep Applying and Networking: #OpenToWork is helpful, but don’t let it be the only thing you do. Continue applying to jobs through other sites, attending networking events (even virtual ones), and reaching out to contacts. The badge increases your inbound leads, but you should still drive your job search actively rather than waiting for everything to come to you.

• Monitor and Adjust: Pay attention to how things go once you turn on OpenToWork. If you’re getting positive results – great! If not much is happening, consider tweaks: Is your profile fully fleshed out? Could your preferences (titles/locations) be too narrow? You might experiment with turning the public badge off for a bit if you suspect (or have evidence) that it’s not being received well in your field. LinkedIn gives you flexibility to change settings, so you’re in control.

How Apt Can Help #OpenToWork Job Seekers

Being “Open to Work” is a fantastic step in signaling your availability – but what next? This is where Apt comes in. Apt is an AI-powered career platform that acts like a personal career coach and mentor, designed to supercharge your job search and career development. If you’ve put the #OpenToWork banner on, Apt can help you make the most of that status by ensuring you’re presenting the best possible version of yourself to recruiters and by guiding you toward your ideal career path.

Apt isn’t just another generic career test – it’s a comprehensive career support system trusted by over 100,000 people . In fact, it has a stellar 4.9-star rating (based on 1,500+ reviews) and has been featured by major outlets like Fox News, CNN, The Wall Street Journal, TechCrunch, and MSNBC as a leader in AI career guidance. The platform uses advanced AI (analyzing over 1.8 trillion data points along with proven personality science) to deliver shockingly accurate career recommendations tailored to you . By taking Apt’s insightful 10-minute career quiz, you’ll discover careers and roles that align with your personality, strengths, and interests – some of which you may never have considered but could be perfect fits.