Will the ‘Open to Work’ Banner Hurt Your Job Hunt?
Here’s My View
After 20 years in recruitment, I’ve never once heard a recruiter say this:
“I found a great candidate on LinkedIn. Strong experience. In the right location. Profile looks brilliant. But… they’ve got that green ‘Open to Work’ banner on, so I’m going to pass.”
It’s never happened.
And yet, this is a common worry among job seekers.
So let’s talk about it.
What the Banner Actually Does
The ‘Open to Work’ banner is just a signal.
It tells people you’re open to opportunities.
That’s all.
And from a recruiter’s perspective, that’s helpful.
We know you’re more likely to respond.
We know you’re actively looking.
It saves time for both sides.
But What About Perception?
Some people worry the banner looks desperate.
Or that it might put off employers.
Let’s be honest:
- If your experience is a match, no one will pass because of a banner.
- If your experience isn’t a match, no banner will fix that.
Hiring managers care about what you’ve done, not whether you’re using a graphic.
Use It If You Want To
This is the key point:
If the banner helps you feel visible, use it.
If you’d rather be discreet and only show recruiters, that’s also fine.
LinkedIn gives you control over who sees it.
But don’t overthink it.
The banner doesn’t make or break your chances.
Your experience, skills, and how you present yourself—that’s what matters.
A Final Thought
Job searching is hard enough.
Don’t worry about something that most recruiters don’t even notice.
Focus on updating your profile, growing your network, and having good conversations.
That’s what gets results.
Thank You
Thanks for visiting recruiterpaul.eu
I hope you found this post useful.
If you’d like to connect, share feedback, or talk about your hiring plans, I’d love to hear from you.
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