In this article you will learn how to let recruiters know you are open to work with the free LinkedIn profile feature.

As a LinkedIn member you can let recruiters know you are open to work by activating the Open to Work feature. By activating this feature, LinkedIn will help your profile show up in search results when recruiters are looking for suitable job candidates. This is a free feature for all LinkedIn members. The Open to Work feature can let recruiters and your network on LinkedIn know you’re open to new job opportunities. It also let’s you specify the types of job opportunities you’re interested in and your preferred location, including whether you are open to remote opportunities.

How to Let Recruiters Know You are Open to Work

This feature can be accessed via your LinkedIn Profile. It’s best activated when you are logged into your profile and at a desktop computer or laptop.

Click on the Add goal button (as shown in the image) and select Finding a new job.

Please note: The Add Goal button used to be the Open to button.

Here’s a step by step guide to activating the Open to Work feature via your LinkedIn Profile.

1. Click the Me icon at the top of your LinkedIn homepage.
2. Click View profile.
3. Click the Add goal button below your headline
4. Click Finding a new Job
5. Click Looking for job opportunities.
6. Provide the requested information in the pop-up window that appears (you can choose up to 5 job titles)
7. You can choose whether all LinkedIn members or only recruiters can see that you’re open to job opportunities. If you choose to share with all LinkedIn members, LinkedIn will add a green #OpenToWork photo frame to your profile photo.
8. Click Add to Profile.

The benefit of this feature is that it helps your LinkedIn profile show up in search results when recruiters are looking for suitable job candidates. It’s also a way to let anyone viewing your LinkedIn Profile know that you’re looking for work (if you choose the option to let all LinkedIn members see you’re open to jobs). Importantly, this feature is also available for those of you who are gainfully employed, but are open to being contacted by a recruiter for job opportunities.

Your Privacy on LinkedIn with the Open to Work Feature

LinkedIn take steps to prevent LinkedIn Recruiter users who work at your company and related companies from seeing your shared career interests, but do not guarantee complete privacy. If your organisation’s hiring managers or HR department have the LinkedIn Recruiter license, they should not be able to see you are open to being contacted.

Need help with LinkedIn?

Browse Think Bespoke’s website library and knowledge base for helpful articles about LinkedIn Training, LinkedIn Profile, LinkedIn Marketing and Career Management.