LinkedIn Open to Work Badge: To Use or Not to Use?

The use of LinkedIn Open to Work Badge It is frequently discussed online, because some consider it advantageous, and others see clear disadvantages.

The fact is that when searching for a job, resources to highlight your profile are very important, as long as they are well regarded by recruiters.

With that in mind, in today’s content we will explain the different points of view surrounding this controversy, so that you can make a decision on the subject. Keep reading and check it out!

LinkedIn’s Open to Work Badge: A Job Search Strategy. Really?

The search for a job is one of the most challenging phases in anyone's life, after all, the chance of getting an opportunity in the first few attempts is low.

As a result, employment platforms invest in resources to highlight profiles, in order to make it easier for recruiters to locate talent.

On LinkedIn, one of the available features is the Open to Work Seal, which loosely translated means “Available for work”, that is, it indicates that the user is looking for professional opportunities.

Considering that LinkedIn is a network widely used by recruiters, having this badge on your profile helps to highlight your search, making it easier to attract connections from those looking for candidates for selection processes.

However, the use of this seal is surrounded by controversy, as some are concerned about the image of “unemployed” that it may convey, while others do not see any problem with it.

Who is right? Below we will see some considerations about this, in order to get closer to a conclusion.

Benefits of using LinkedIn's Open to Work Badge

To understand any type of controversy, it is important to evaluate both sides.

Therefore, we will start by evaluating the advantages of using LinkedIn's Open to Work Badge.

Attract the LinkedIn algorithm 

Social networks work through algorithms, and this feature determines profiles compatible with your interests and suggests connections.

On LinkedIn, the algorithm focuses on bringing together people with similar professional profiles and interests.

So, by using LinkedIn's Open to Work Badge, you ensure that the algorithm understands that you are looking for professional opportunities, and therefore indicates compatible profiles and opportunities.

The badge makes it easier for recruiters to find your profile

Although it is common for recruiters to contact all types of profiles, professionals in the field prioritize speaking to people interested in new opportunities.

Therefore, by using LinkedIn's Open to Work Badge, you make this interest clear, which makes it easier for job recruiters to find your profile.

++Systemic Thinking: characteristics and importance in companies (valorizei.com).

Disadvantages of placing the seal on the profile 

And finally, we come to the controversial part: many users of the social network claim that using LinkedIn's Open to Work Badge hinders rather than helps in the job search. Here's why:

They will know that you are unemployed

We all know that being out of the job market is not an advantage in selection processes. 

Many recruiters see this as a sign of professional unsuitability, after all, if a professional is unemployed there is always a personal reason, right? (No, but unfortunately this meaningless association is very common).

So, for many users of the social network, using LinkedIn's Open to Work Badge exposes the professional to this type of prejudice.

Not all recruiters feel this way, but considering that some do have similar opinions, many users prefer to avoid being exposed to judgment.

Or who is looking for a new job

It is not uncommon for a professional to be looking for a new opportunity while still employed. 

The issue is that when using LinkedIn's Open to Work Badge, this search becomes obvious, and this can cause problems if a manager at your current job sees it.

Every employee is free to seek new opportunities, but this search is seen by some managers as a lack of commitment to the current job.

Therefore, users who are against the use of the seal consider it dangerous, as dismissal could occur if the manager becomes resentful. 

After all, is it worth using the seal?

By now you know both sides of the controversy surrounding the use of LinkedIn's Open to Work Badge.

As we can see, those who find its use harmful are concerned about the impact that the seal may have on the image.

Those who see it as advantageous are more concerned with approaching opportunities and the right people to get a job.

Therefore, there is no conclusion on the subject, as it all depends on what is really important to you in this search.

If you are employed, it might be worth rethinking its use, as it may indicate dissatisfaction with your current job, even if indirectly.

In any case, LinkedIn allows you to leave the badge active only for profiles indicated as recruiters, so if you want to reduce the “negative points”, it is worth activating this option.

Remember that you can activate or deactivate the badge whenever you want on your social network profile, so make your decision calmly. 

Read also: What does a Zootechnician do? Learn about the profession! – Valorizei.