Chapter 5 of 7 · 5 checks · 3 min
Open to Work and recruiter search
How the Open to Work feature works, the visibility trade-off it involves, and the basics of showing up when recruiters search.
Turn on Open to Work with specific job titles, locations and work typesMust
Why it matters and how to check
Open to Work tells LinkedIn and recruiters you are looking. Turn it on from your profile with the Open to button, then Finding a new job. Fill the form with the exact job titles you want, the locations, whether you want on-site, hybrid or remote, and start date.
These preferences shape who finds you, so be specific. "Software Engineer", "Backend Developer" and "Python Developer" are better than one vague title. Check your job recommendations a few days later: if they are off, adjust the titles.
Do
- Add several close title variants you would accept
- Include remote if you want roles abroad
Avoid
- Titles you would not actually accept
Choose the Open to Work visibility that fits your situationMust
Why it matters and how to check
LinkedIn gives three visibility options. All LinkedIn Members makes your status visible to everyone, including people at your current company, and adds the #OpenToWork frame to your photo. Recruiters only shows it only to people using LinkedIn Recruiter, with no photo frame. Visible only to you just tailors your job recommendations.
If you are employed, Recruiters only is usually the safer choice. LinkedIn says it tries to hide your status from Recruiter users at your current company, but it cannot promise complete privacy. If you are a student or between jobs, the public frame has little downside.
Do
- Use Recruiters only while employed
- Mark your current role as "I am currently working here" so LinkedIn knows which company to hide you from
Avoid
- Assuming Recruiters only is fully private
Use the words recruiters search for in your headline, About and ExperienceShould
Why it matters and how to check
Recruiters find people by searching keywords such as job titles, skills and locations. If the words they type are not on your profile, you will not appear, however good your work is. Use the common title for your role ("Frontend Developer", not only "UI Ninja") and spell out technologies the standard way.
Place the main keywords in your headline, current job title, About section and Skills. To check, search LinkedIn for your target title plus your city and see whose profiles appear and what words they use.
Do
- Use standard job titles alongside any creative internal title
- Spell out acronyms once, for example Amazon Web Services (AWS)
Avoid
- Stuffing the same keyword into every line
Set an accurate location and a contact email you checkShould
Why it matters and how to check
Many searches filter by location, so set the city you live in or want to work in. If you are open to relocating or remote work, say so in Open to Work preferences and your About section rather than listing a city you do not live in.
Under Contact info, add an email you read daily and your portfolio or GitHub link. Check by viewing your profile as a connection would and clicking every link.
Do
- Add your portfolio and GitHub under Contact info
Avoid
- A university email that will stop working after you graduate
Apply and message people directly instead of only waiting to be foundShould
Why it matters and how to check
A good profile helps people say yes, but most early-career developers still get interviews by applying and reaching out. Use your profile as the landing page for those actions: apply to roles, then send a short note to an engineer or recruiter at the company with one line on why you fit.
Track what works. If you send twenty applications and hear nothing, the issue is usually the role match or the CV, so compare both against the job posts.
Do
- Send short, specific connection notes that mention the role
Avoid
- Mass copy-paste messages to strangers asking for a job