Green 'Open to Work' Circle on LinkedIn.. to put or not to put? - a podcast by Elena Agaragimova

The Green "Open to Work" feature on your profile. To put or not to put?
While the "open to work" indicator on LinkedIn can be a useful tool for job seekers, it is important to weigh the potential pros and cons before deciding whether or not to use it. Ultimately, the decision should be based on your individual circumstances and goals.
Quick note: remember that this feature came into play during the pandemic - that was 3 years ago - it is simply not effective any longer and might backfire vs help you. This came into play when we are all coming together as a community to see where we can help each other in the global pandemic. That no longer applies - as much as we want to help each other, things have changed. I am frankly surprised LinkedIn still kept that feature that long.
As a recruiter - if I am interested in your profile - I will reach out to you regardless if you have "open to work" or not. I will still contact you to explore.
🟢 Pros:
People know you are looking for work
🔴 Cons:
Perception of desperation: Some employers or recruiters may perceive the "open to work" indicator as a sign of desperation, which could negatively impact your professional reputation and perceived value as a candidate.
Potential for discrimination: Unfortunately, there is always a risk that some employers or recruiters may discriminate against job seekers based on their current employment status or other factors. By indicating that you are "open to work," you may be more vulnerable to such discrimination.
You might come off as someone who wants others to do homework for them - it screams "look at my profile because I am looking for work and help me figure out what I should do" aka you are waiting for people to come to you. That rarely works in job search.
My two cents - REMOVE IT. It adds no value to your job search or your profile.
Instead do the following:
✅ Focus on creating an awesome profile
✅ Tell your story in a way that is authentic and that sells
✅ Connect with people and engage with your network
✅ Make it easier for people to help you by knowing what you want, what you bring to the table (your unique value proposition) and stay proactive in your job search
There is no magic formula in job search - it is about experimenting with strategies and seeing what works and what doesn't work and adjusting accordingly.

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