Navigating the Job Market: To Badge or Not to Badge?
In today’s competitive job market, making your job-seeking status known can be a double-edged sword. With over 220 million people globally using LinkedIn’s “open to work” feature, it’s essential to weigh the pros and cons of publicly declaring your availability.
The Rise of the “Open to Work” Badge
Since its introduction in 2020, the “open to work” feature has seen a 35% increase in usage, reflecting the challenging job market. This feature allows users to signal their job-seeking status to recruiters, either privately or publicly, with a green badge on their profile.
Recruiters’ Mixed Reactions
While some recruiters see the badge as a convenient way to identify potential candidates, others are more skeptical. Debra Boggs, founder and CEO of D&S Executive Career Management, believes that publicly displaying the badge can make job seekers appear desperate, which may not be attractive to hiring managers.
To Badge or Not to Badge?
For entry-level and mid-level job seekers, Boggs recommends using the private “open to work” option, which only recruiters can see. This approach allows job seekers to signal their availability without raising red flags. However, Tatiana Becker, founder of NIAH Recruiting, takes a more liberal stance, encouraging job seekers to proudly display the badge.
The Changing Job Market Landscape
Becker argues that the stigma surrounding job hopping has diminished since the Covid pandemic and subsequent layoffs. In today’s job market, being open about your job-seeking status is no longer seen as a negative trait.
The Benefits of Badging
According to LinkedIn, using the “open to work” feature doubles the chances of getting a recruiter to message you. Publicly displaying the badge can increase this likelihood by 40%. Recruitment consultant Tiffany Dyba notes that there are more desperate practices on LinkedIn, making the badge a relatively harmless way to get noticed.
Ultimately, It’s Your Call
So, should you badge or not? The answer lies in what works best for you. Dyba’s advice is to “do what you feel is best for you,” as there is no one-size-fits-all approach to using the “open to work” feature.
Leave a Reply