Fast Company recently published an article this spring on the LinkedIn “open to work” badge.

The content provides the pros and cons of using the badge on your profile.

And, if you choose to use it should you use it for everyone or just recruiters?

There are obvious pieces of advice.

Like only showing recruiters if you have a full-time job and don’t want your employer to know.

However, there was more debate on the pros and cons if you don’t have a job than I expected.

A bit more research uncovered articles from CNBC, Lifehacker, and Forbes that I found interesting.

LinkedIn released the feature in 2020 and the Forbes article was published just after that.

The others are more recent.

All have mixed reviews on the pros and cons of using the feature.

In the end, it all comes down to perception.

Do people view the badge as a reason to lean in and learn more about someone?

Or, a reason to lean back and look elsewhere.

The reasons stated for leaning in:

People know you are available to work now, not months from now.

They know you are interested in finding a role.

The reasons stated for leaning back:

Some believe the badge makes people look desperate.

Others feel it might make you a target for spam and scams.

My Perspective

I think the perceptions tie to legacy employment issues.

An old-school view that someone who is “open to work” is desperate and can’t hold a job. 

Totally wrong.

We are in a world where very qualified and productive employees are part of massive layoffs.

Being “open to work” is a new phase we all go through (or will go through).

The stigma needs to go away.

The singular focus of the LinkedIn profile doesn’t help. 

With a large percentage of the workforce in freelance or fractional roles, it’s very likely that some of their hours are “open to work”.

Maybe LinkedIn needs to add an “open for projects” option.

This would enable those with bandwidth to note they could take on more.

Delineating those looking for full-time vs. freelance work.

LinkedIn could also consider agencies and coaches and create a badge of “accepting clients”.

Your Turn

What do you think of the “open to work” badge? 

Do you think there is a stigma that needs to be overcome?

Would adding other badges on LinkedIn help other types of job seekers?