Should you use LinkedIn’s “Open to Work” feature?

First, a quick thank you and welcome to the 14 new readers who joined last week 🙂

This week has been… a lot. Personally and professionally.
Little space to breathe. A bit of mental clutter. Not my most productive week, honestly.

But kids are back to school, routines are coming back, and I’m hoping for a smoother rhythm. Yet I stil wanted to get that Newsletter out for today!

And today I’m touching on the ongoing debate:
The “#Open to Work” feature : yes or no?

You might hate my answer… but it’s not black or white. Because that small green ring says a lot. For some, it opens doors. For others, it can backfire.

I thought I would give you my opinion:

IF you’re looking for speed and volume: go for it

LinkedIn is the first stop for 97% of recruiters.
And members using the feature are more likely to receive InMails.

In fast markets (junior roles, contracts, startups, tech), it can really speed things up.

My take:
If your goal is speed and volume, the feature definitely help. Especially early career or during a quik transition.

It gets tricky when…
After speaking with many recruiters, some interpret the banner as urgency.
When 2 similar profils show up, the one without the feature can look more “in demand” or passive (which recruiters often like).

This matters more for senior or leadership roles, where image and positioning count.

To be honest, its true for senior profiles, the banner can work against you.

But let’s be clear, there’s no single truth.

I had 2 clients laid off the same week.
One skipped the feature, took time to reflect, and got approached by headhunters.
The other put the feature  up immediately and signed a contract 4 weeks later.

2 paths.2 great outcomes.

So what should you do?
You can set your profile to “Open to recruiters” without showing the public banner.

It ‘s a great compromise if you are in doubt. you can find in on your Linkedin profile

My rule of thumb:
Junior / pivot / fast re-entry → use it
Senior / leadership → stay discreet + targeted outreach

The tool isn’t good or bad. It just needs to match the story you want your profile to tell.

Exciting news for French readers who are looking for a job🔥🔥🔥

I’ll be hosting a webinar (in French) on Wednesday 11th Feb, 12:00–1:30pm HK/SG time to talk about the best approach to stay confident and motivated during your job search process, especially in a foreign country.

I’ll share practical tips, tools, real stories and mindset shifts to help you keep your energy up and your head clear.

👉 All the details are here.
I’d love to see you there!

Best,

Stephanie