Supercharge Your Job Search with this LinkedIn Feature

The “Great Resignation” may be over, but that doesn’t mean that workers have found roles they love. Many people, including the more than 200 thousand affected by layoffs this year, are looking for new or better jobs. Maybe you’re one of them! If so, you know job searching in an uncertain market is no easy task. 

Luckily, LinkedIn’s "Open To" feature can revolutionize the way you navigate the job search process. When you leverage this powerful tool, you can showcase your career interests and preferences, attracting relevant opportunities and increasing your chances of finding your dream job. In this article, we'll delve into the ins and outs of the LinkedIn "Open To" feature, equipping you with the knowledge to supercharge your job search.

What is the "Open To" Feature? 

The "Open To" feature on LinkedIn allows you to signal your interest in new career opportunities to recruiters, hiring managers, and your extended network. You can use it to indicate the type of job you're seeking, your preferred location, and whether you're open to remote work or relocation. Plus, you can also add your ideal start date, type of work (e.g. part-time or full-time), and whether you’d like this information to be visible only to recruiters or everyone on LinkedIn. 

To make the most of the “Open To” feature, I recommend providing as much information as you can so that you attract job opportunities that align with your aspirations as closely as possible. Let’s walk through the process. 

1. Locate the “Open to” button in the anchor section of your profile. 
   
   
2. Select “Finding a new job” from the dropdown. 
   
   
3. Add at least one and up to five job titles. Note that you can’t make up your job titles. You have to choose from LinkedIn’s prepopulated titles, but that’s good news because you won’t be found if you use unique titles no one is searching for.
   
   
4. Next, choose at least one and up to three preferred location types.
   
   
5. Then, add at least one and up to five locations. LinkedIn will automatically populate the location you’re using on your profile as one of the five, but you can remove it if you want to relocate. 
   
   
6. Optionally, you can choose to indicate your start date—either immediately, if you’re actively applying now, or flexible, if you’re casually looking. 
   
   
7. You can also choose to indicate your preferred employment types, including Full-time, Part-time, Contract, Internship, or Temporary. 
   
   
8. Because you may or may not want your search status to be public, you can choose your visibility—either recruiters only or all LinkedIn members. In the latter case, you’ll turn on the #OpenToWork photo frame. Note that LinkedIn tries not to show your “Open To” status to folks at your current company, but it can’t guarantee total privacy. 
   

Once you’ve saved your “Open to” settings, LinkedIn will prompt you to start a post. If you’re searching publicly, my advice is to follow LinkedIn’s lead and let your network know. It’s also important to make sure your profile—especially your headline—is up-to-date and full of terms that highlight your skillset. If you change nothing else, also be sure to include the words “Open to Work,” or something similar, in your headline so that you’ll pop up in search results for those keywords if recruiters try to find candidates that way. 

To fully leverage the “Open To” feature, don’t just set it and forget it. Engaging with others is an essential aspect of leveraging the feature effectively. Actively participate in relevant industry groups, share insightful content, and contribute to discussions on LinkedIn. All these activities will increase your visibility and can lead to new opportunities. 

LinkedIn’s “Open To” feature puts the ball in your court and allows you to showcase your unique job criteria. When you take the time to thoughtfully indicate your settings, update your profile, and show up in discussions, your chances of finding the right role increase. You never know when the perfect opportunity will fall into your lap. 

If you’re a little stuck when it comes to your profile, I’d love to help. My Rock Your Linkedin Profile Guide walks you through exactly how to update your LinkedIn presence so you know you’re putting your best foot forward. This DIY-style resource gives you just enough support to make your profile your own—a must for any job seeker.