LinkedIn Open to Work Badge - May 21, 2024

TODAY’S TO DO 🚩

Make AI your job search buddy. 💻 A tool like ChatGPT can quickly summarize job listings, generate a list of the top employers in your area, help you add the most relevant skills to your résumé, and even practice for your interview. 50 interview prep prompts →

GETTING AHEAD 🚀

The LinkedIn “Open to Work” badge: Is it worth it?

LinkedIn has become the cornerstone of the modern job search. And since its launch back in 2003, the platform has rolled out many a feature to help users find, apply for and land their dream job — including the “Open to Work” badge.

This green banner, which you select to display on your profile, is a digital flare that signals “Hire me!” — but does it really help or hinder your job search? 🤔

On the plus side, the “Open to Work” feature is like wearing a neon sign that tells recruiters you’re available. It can increase your visibility, making you more likely to catch the eye of someone looking for your particular skill set.

It’s also especially useful if you’re pivoting industries or roles because it underscores your eagerness and openness to new opportunities, both locally and internationally.

However, there’s a flip side. 😬

For one, it might signal desperation, especially if it’s been on your profile for a while. This could potentially devalue your perceived worth in the eyes of some employers.

Additionally, it might attract unsolicited offers that don’t match your career aspirations, leading to a flood of irrelevant job opportunities.

The “Open to Work” badge can also sometimes overshadow the other, more important parts of your profile, like your skills and accomplishments. Instead of focusing on the badge, recruiters should ideally be drawn in by your professional story.

Whether turning on the “Open to Work” feature helps or hurts your job search largely depends on how it’s used and perceived. Use it wisely, tweak your profile to highlight your strengths, and you might find it’s more of a beacon than a burden. 🚨

After all, in the job hunt jungle, visibility is key — but so is how you present that visibility.

— Chris Leitch

GROWTH HUB 🌱

⚖️ TO CONSIDER: Want to get ahead in life? Take a look at these valuable life lessons.

❌ TO DODGE: Bad bosses are master manipulators. Identify the bad ones with these signs.

🌱 TO GET YOU THERE: These 20 skills will make you irresistible to employers.

TOGETHER WITH 🤝 THE VIRTUAL SAVVY

Launch Your Virtual Assistant Career

Have you thought about working as your own boss? As a virtual assistant, you can use skills that you likely already have to start an at-home business. Small business owners are looking for VAs to handle tasks like data entry, answering customer service emails, social media posting, calendar management, and more. This Virtual Assistant Checklist and Starter Guide from The Virtual Savvy will show you the exact steps to take to get started in your VA career. 

CAREER INSPO 💡

IN THE SPOTLIGHT 🔦

A LinkedIn hack you must know 🤫

Have you ever wondered what recruiters see on LinkedIn when searching for the strongest candidates? They, in fact, have a very different view compared to you!

Former recruiter Sho Dewan shows you what a recruiter’s screen looks like, advising you what to pay attention to if you’re looking to stand out!

WORK TRENDS 📈

Workers deserve to be compensated for the rise of AI. 🤖 That’s the view that Professor Geoffrey Hinton, the “godfather of AI”, supports, expressing that he is “very worried about AI taking lots of mundane jobs” and that “that’s going to be very bad for society”. Read the interview →

TODAY’S GIFT ⚡

EXTRA BRAIN FUEL 🧠

👻 What to Do If You’re Ghosted after an Interview: Though disappointing, ghosting does happen. So, how do you navigate it?

🤗 How to Include Volunteer Work in Your Résumé: Charity work can be a real asset in your job search! Learn how and when to showcase it.

👔 What to Wear to Work: A change of seasons means a change of work outfits. Visit our guide for inspiration!

THE BREAK ROOM 🍴

🧡🧡🧡 Yes, loved it!
💩 Nope, could have been better…