While job hunting on LinkedIn, many users add an “open to work” banner to their profile pictures. According to the platform’s data, about 33 million individuals are displaying this banner globally. However, a former Google executive and recruiter has labeled this banner as the “biggest red flag” for a candidate.
The “open to work” banner was launched by LinkedIn several years ago to inform recruiters that a user is actively seeking employment and is open for hiring.
Nevertheless, according to Nolan Church, a former recruiter at Google, using this banner is not advisable. He told CNBC, “There is a truism in recruiting that the best people are not looking for jobs.”
This sentiment is echoed by Lindsay Mustain, a former Amazon recruiter and now a career coach, who discussed with CNBC that recruiters prefer to pursue candidates, not the other way around, emphasizing the “power dynamics” in hiring.
Mustain also noted that having the “open to work” badge might lead recruiters to feel they have the upper hand in negotiations, thinking, “Because you need something from me, that means that I have the power in this conversation.”
The ‘Open to Work’ banner can be beneficial for smaller businesses
Some argue that the banner is effective and can be especially beneficial for smaller businesses, helping them quickly identify prospective employees.
“For those smaller companies, it can be really, really helpful in identifying new talent,” said Angelina Darrisaw, CEO of C-Suite Coach.
From LinkedIn’s perspective, the banner is a tool that simplifies the process of seeking assistance on the platform.
LinkedIn emphasized this in a YouTube video three years ago: “We’ve made it easier to ask for help on LinkedIn. Update your profile to let recruiters or the broader LinkedIn community know you’re #OpenToWork.”