How To Write an Open To Work Post on LinkedIn

An Open To Work post on LinkedIn can be an invaluable job-seeking tool—if you use it the right way.

Unfortunately, many job seekers write posts that are too vague, too emotional, or too passive to inspire their network to help them out. It’s important to provide context for your search so that your contacts know what you can do, and a strong call to action, so that they feel compelled to connect you with opportunities.

How To Post an Open To Work Update

LinkedIn makes it easy for job seekers to let their network know about their job search. To post your update, start by updating your LinkedIn profile to enable the “Open To Work” feature:

• Click the “Open to” button under your name and headline in the upper lefthand corner of your profile.
• Select “Finding a new job” from the drop-down menu.
• Add your job preferences including job titles, remote/on-site roles, job locations, start date, and full- or part-time work.
• Choose which audience sees your message. If you choose “All LinkedIn members,” your profile picture will appear with a green #OpenToWork frame, and your open-to-work status will be visible to the network. If you choose “Recruiters only,” only members of LinkedIn Recruiter will receive notification that you’re looking for work.
• Click “Add to profile.”
• On the next screen, you will have an option to write a post notifying your network.
• Click “Start a post” to write.
• On the next screen, you will see suggested text for your message, as well as related hashtags like #opentowork.
• Edit the message and hashtags and click “Post” to publish.

 

7 Tips for Writing an Open To Work LinkedIn Post

Here’s how to brainstorm, write, and promote your post for maximum effect:

Know What You Want

Think about your dream role. Make a list of your ideal job titles, duties, responsibilities, even employers. Would you work remotely, in person, or hybrid? Consider the best schedule for you—full-time, part-time, flexible. Think about what you’d like to learn and how you’d like to grow in the role. Do you hope to be promoted within an organization, learn a new skill set, or support a particular set of values?

Realistically, you may need to be flexible about some of these factors. But start by figuring out what’s most important to you in a job. Include the most essential in your post.

Be Positive

Whether you were part of a mass layoff or a one-off termination, you may very well have negative feelings about your former employer. Your feelings are legitimate but airing them on social media won’t help you land your next job.

Employers want to hire candidates who are positive, enthusiastic about their open job, and eager to start fresh. Talking about your issues with your old company won’t help create the impression that you’re ready to bring your best self to your new role.

Customize Your Message

If you’re already active on LinkedIn, you’ve probably noticed that many Open To Work posts sound similar. That’s because a lot of users stick with the suggested text:

Hi everyone – I am looking for a new role and would appreciate your support. Thank you in advance for any connections, advice, or opportunities you can offer. #OpenToWork

The problem with using the template is that it doesn’t differentiate you from any other jobseeker. A recruiter who sees that post won’t know what you can do for their organization, what you’ve accomplished in the past, or what unique qualifications you bring to their open roles. Worst of all, they will probably get the idea that you don’t care enough to make an effort—not the impression you’re hoping to make during a job search.

Tell Recruiters What You Can Do

This is the most important part of your Open to Work LinkedIn post. Employers hire candidates to solve problems and achieve goals. Your post needs to persuade them that you’re the person to do that.

Include your most important hard and soft skills, accomplishments, and qualifications. Use current job postings in your field as your guide. Are employers looking for a specific technical skill, certification, or niche expertise? List it in your post.

Also, include a link to your portfolio or website if you have one. There’s no better proof of your talents than your past projects.

Make Your Post Do the Work

If you’re not used to bragging about yourself, beware of the urge to craft a passive post that tallies your skills and achievements, but doesn’t ensure that your post is visible or invite recruiters to contact you.

Include the #opentowork hashtag, as well as industry-specific hashtags like #salesjobs, #manufacturingjobs, #userexperiencedesign, etc., to make your post appear in search. Close your post with a call to action that asks your contacts to tag, share, or message you with leads.

Match Your Profile to Your Post

Writing an Open To Work post provides you with an opportunity to reassess your LinkedIn profile. Now that you’ve recently looked at job ads in your field, you have a better idea of what employers are seeking. Make sure your profile includes keywords from those ads, especially those related to skills, qualifications, and work experience.

Pay It Forward

The best thing you can do to expand your network and boost your job search is to be a good contact. Share your connections’ Open To Work posts, offer LinkedIn recommendations and endorsements, and connect colleagues with open opportunities whenever you can. You’ll be doing a good deed while also ensuring that others will be invested in helping you with your search.

Avoid These Mistakes When Posting

Looking for work is often a stressful experience, especially if you’ve just lost your job. When emotions are running high, it’s crucial to be careful with your professional communications. Make sure to avoid pitfalls like:

Airing Your Grievances

Vent to your close friends—and keep it offline. Complaining about your former employer will make you look bad and might scare away recruiters.

Writing Too Much (or Too Little)

One of the issues with using LinkedIn’s suggested Open To Work text is that it’s a very short message. Being concise is all well and good but your post needs to be long enough to include the important information: what you’re looking for in your next job and what you have to offer an employer.

On the other hand, it’s also easy to go on too long, especially if you’re worried about landing your next role. Ideally, keep your message to two or three short paragraphs—an introduction that lets employers know that you’re looking for work, a brief summary of your skills and qualifications, and a call to action that invites contact and assistance.

Being Desperate or Aggressive

Again, it’s easy to let your feelings influence your communications. But it’s important to remember that an Open To Work post is a sales pitch. Even if you’re desperate for work, it’s a bad idea to come right out and say that in your post. Your goal is to persuade with your abilities, not to appeal to hiring managers’ emotions. (Plus, you don’t want to negotiate your next salary from a position of desperation.)

Sample ‘Open To Work’ LinkedIn Announcement

Use this Open To Work LinkedIn post to let your contacts know that you’re looking for your next opportunity.

Hi, LinkedIn friends! I’m looking for my next customer service management role and I’m hoping you can help.

I have seven years of experience as a customer service manager for businesses ranging from small local organizations to global enterprises. I pride myself on hiring, training, and supporting the best CSRs in the business—and I have the KPIs to back it up! My teams at XYZ Company had the highest first call resolution and lowest average handle time scores in the organization. I thrive in fast-paced environments and offer empathy, curiosity, and a genuine desire to connect with others.

I’m excited to put my customer service experience, cost reduction skills, and love of building teams to work for a new employer. I’m open to remote jobs and on-site and hybrid roles in the Los Angeles area.

Feel free to tag, share, or otherwise boost my post or to reach out to me directly with questions or opportunities. Thank you for your help!

#opentowork #customerservicemanagement #customerservicejobs

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