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Highlights

1. The "Open to Work" feature helps signal job availability with visibility options for all or recruiters only.
2. Activate the banner through profile settings, photo editing, or LinkedIn's feature launcher.
3. Stay responsive to recruiters; LinkedIn may deactivate the feature if you don't engage.
4. Use filters, groups, and personalized outreach to connect with job seekers effectively.
5. Combine in-mail and email outreach to engage potential candidates.

If you've spent time in sales, you know how important it is to find the right people for your team or an upcoming project. LinkedIn is the go-to hub for professional networking and employment services, offering opportunities to connect with talent.

Here’s the good news: LinkedIn’s "Open to Work" feature makes it easier to discover those hidden gems. So, in this guide, we’ll discuss effective methods to find LinkedIn connections who are open to work!

What Is the “Open to Work” Feature?

The Open to Work LinkedIn feature lets you announce that you're open to job opportunities. By enabling it, you can either:

1. Add a green frame to your profile picture for everyone to see.
2. Update your status so only recruiters can view it.

Visibility Options

1. Visible to Everyone: A green banner appears on your profile, making it clear to all users that you’re job hunting.
2. Visible to Recruiters Only: Your status is shown only to recruiters using LinkedIn Recruiter.

Keep in mind not all recruiters use LinkedIn Recruiter. Some might rely on Recruiter Lite or Sales Navigator, which may not show your "Open to Work" status. Choose the visibility setting that works best for your job search goals!

How To Set LinkedIn to Open To Work?

LinkedIn's "Open to Work" banner lets you show you’re seeking job opportunities. When you enable this feature, a green banner appears on your profile picture, signaling to recruiters and everyone on LinkedIn (including your current employer) that you’re open to new roles.

Here’s how to activate it:

Option 1: Use Your Profile Settings

1. Go to your LinkedIn profile.
2. Click on the “Open to” section under your profile header.
3. Choose “Finding a new job.”
4. Fill in the details:
5. Job Titles: Add positions you’re interested in.
6. Locations: Select where you’d like to work.
7. Start Date: Indicate your availability.
8. Job Type: Choose full-time, part-time, or contract work.
9. Select who can see your status:
10. All LinkedIn Members (including your current employer).
11. Recruiters Only (hides it from your employer).

Option 2: Edit Your Profile Picture

1. Open your profile and click on your profile photo.
2. Select the “Frames” option.
3. Choose the “Open to Work” frame.
4. Save your changes.

After applying the banner, you can customize your job preferences in the settings menu to help recruiters find you easily.

Option 3: Use LinkedIn's Feature Launcher

You can also activate the banner through LinkedIn’s feature launcher or a direct link provided by the platform. Adding the "Open to Work" banner makes it easier for recruiters to find and connect with you based on your preferences. 

How to Turn Off the Open to Work LinkedIn Setting?

If you’ve activated LinkedIn’s Open to Work LinkedIn feature, staying responsive to recruiters is essential. LinkedIn sends in-mail notifications to let recruiters know you're actively seeking opportunities. If you don’t respond to these messages or confirm your job-seeking status, LinkedIn may automatically deactivate the feature.

Here’s how you can manually turn off the “Open to Work” setting:

1. Go to your LinkedIn profile.
2. Locate the “Open to” section under your profile header.
3. Click Edit Status.
4. Scroll to the bottom of the menu and select Remove Status.

Once you disable the setting, your profile will no longer display the “Open to Work” banner, and recruiters won’t see you as actively seeking opportunities.

Pro Tip: If you're pausing your job search, consider updating your preferences instead of completely removing the status.

How to Find LinkedIn Connections Who Are Open To Work?

If you’re already using Sales Navigator to source leads, here’s some good news: You can also use it to find qualified job candidates. It’s a cost-effective alternative to LinkedIn Recruiter, starting at just $50/month.

Here’s 8 best methods to find LinkedIn connections who are open to work:

1. Use Filters and Boolean Search

1. Current Job Title Filter: Search for candidates with specific job titles, like "Sales Manager."
2. Keyword Search: Try terms like “actively seeking employment” or “looking for work.”
3. Boolean Modifiers: Expand your results using searches like:

"Open to Work" OR ((looking OR seeking) AND (work OR job OR opportunity OR opportunities)).

Pro Tip: Carefully review profiles to avoid false positives and save promising candidates for later.

2. Save Leads and Export Contacts

Want to scale your outreach? Save candidates as leads and use tools to export their profiles, including verified personal email addresses. This creates a larger candidate pool, but double-check profiles to ensure they meet your criteria.

3. Use “Headline” and “Summary” Filters

Refine your search by focusing on specific keywords in the Headline or Summary sections, such as:

1. Roles (e.g., "Sales Manager").
2. Skills or achievements.
3. Alumni from particular schools.

4. Join LinkedIn Groups for Job Seekers

Find candidates by joining job-seeker groups:

1. Use the “Groups” tab in Sales Navigator.
2. Search keywords like “Job Seekers” and filter by location or role.
3. Engage with group members to spot active job seekers.

5. Leverage Your Current Network

Don’t underestimate your own LinkedIn connections. Reach out to your network and ask if they know anyone seeking jobs hiring immediately. It’s free, effective, and helps you tap into trusted referrals.

6. Host and Participate in LinkedIn Events

Organize industry-specific webinars or events.

Example: Recruiting for a marketing role? Host a webinar on “The Future of Digital Marketing Trends.” This attracts professionals in the field, many of whom might be open to new opportunities.

Also, participate in relevant LinkedIn events or webinars to network with active job seekers.

Example: Join a leadership webinar if you're hiring managers to engage with professionals interested in career growth.

7. Craft Effective Job Posts

Create job post ads in LinkedIn groups specific to your industry for more visibility. Clear conditions and requirements must be included to attract qualified candidates and filter out unqualified applicants.

8. InMail and Email Outreach

Use personalized and engaging InMails to reach potential candidates directly. Include a compelling summary of the job opportunity to catch their interest. Also, use tools to collect email addresses from LinkedIn profiles and send job offers via email. Some candidates are more responsive to emails than LinkedIn messages, so combining channels can improve your results.

Summary 

LinkedIn's "Open to Work" feature is a powerful tool that helps job seekers and recruiters connect easily. Whether you're looking to showcase your availability or find LinkedIn connections who are open to work, using the right settings and strategies can make a big difference. By staying active, using personalized outreach, and leveraging LinkedIn’s search tools, you find new opportunities.

FAQs

How do I turn off the "Open to Work" on LinkedIn?

A1: To turn off "Open to Work," go to your LinkedIn profile, click the pencil icon next to the "Open to Work" section, and select "Delete from Profile." Confirm the action to remove it.

How To See Jobs Applied For On Linkedin?

Go to the "Jobs" tab on LinkedIn, then click on "My Jobs." Here, you’ll find a list of all jobs you’ve applied for or saved.

If I Search For Someone On LinkedIn, Will They Know?

If you have a private profile setting enabled, others won’t know you’ve viewed their profile. If your profile viewing is set to public, LinkedIn will notify them.