How Do I Turn Off Open To Work On Linkedin

Turning off the "Open to Work" feature on LinkedIn is a straightforward process, but it’s essential to understand the implications and ensure you do it correctly. This guide will walk you through the steps, explain why you might want to disable this feature, and offer some tips for managing your job search discreetly.

Why Turn Off "Open to Work" on LinkedIn?

Before diving into the "how," let's consider the "why." There are several reasons you might want to disable the "Open to Work" feature:

• You've Found a New Job: The most obvious reason! Congratulations if you've landed a new role. Keeping the "Open to Work" badge active could send the wrong message to your new employer.
• You Want to Be Discreet: While the "Open to Work" feature is designed to be visible only to recruiters (in theory), there's always a chance your current employer or colleagues might see it. Turning it off ensures complete privacy.
• You're No Longer Actively Searching: Perhaps your circumstances have changed, and you're no longer looking for a new job. Deactivating the feature keeps your profile accurate and avoids unwanted solicitations from recruiters.
• You're Getting Too Many Irrelevant Inquiries: If the "Open to Work" feature is attracting a flood of irrelevant job opportunities, it can be more efficient to turn it off and focus on a more targeted approach to your job search.
• You Want to Refresh Your Approach: Sometimes, disabling the feature temporarily can give you a chance to re-evaluate your job search strategy, update your profile, and refine your target roles.

Step-by-Step Guide to Turning Off "Open to Work"

LinkedIn offers a simple interface for managing your "Open to Work" status. Here's how to turn it off, depending on whether you're using the desktop site or the mobile app:

On Desktop:

1. Log in to your LinkedIn account: Go to and enter your username and password.
2. Navigate to your profile: Click on your profile picture in the top navigation bar, then select "View profile."
3. Locate the "Open to Work" section: Scroll down your profile until you find the "Open to Work" box. It typically appears near the top, just below your introductory information. If you don't see it, it means the feature is already turned off.
4. Click the "Edit" icon: In the "Open to Work" box, you'll see a pencil icon. Click on it to edit your preferences.
5. Toggle the "Let recruiters know you’re open" switch: This is the main switch that activates or deactivates the "Open to Work" feature. To turn it off, simply toggle the switch to the "Off" position. The switch will turn gray when deactivated.
6. Confirm your choice: LinkedIn will ask you to confirm that you want to turn off the feature. Click "Save" or "Apply" to finalize your decision.
7. Remove the "Open to Work" frame (if applicable): If you have added the "Open to Work" frame to your profile picture, you'll need to remove it separately. Hover over your profile picture, click the camera icon, and select "Remove frame."

On Mobile App:

1. Open the LinkedIn app: Launch the LinkedIn app on your smartphone or tablet.
2. Tap your profile icon: Tap on your profile picture in the top left corner of the screen. This will open your profile menu.
3. View your profile: Tap on "View profile" to access your full profile.
4. Scroll to the "Open to Work" section: Scroll down until you find the "Open to Work" box.
5. Tap the "Edit" icon: Tap the pencil icon in the "Open to Work" box.
6. Toggle the "Let recruiters know you’re open" switch: Toggle the switch to the "Off" position to deactivate the feature.
7. Save your changes: Tap "Save" or the checkmark icon (depending on your device) to confirm your choice.
8. Remove the "Open to Work" frame (if applicable): If you're using the "Open to Work" frame, tap on your profile picture, select "Edit profile picture," and then "Remove frame."

Understanding the "Open to Work" Settings

When you enable the "Open to Work" feature, LinkedIn provides several options to customize your preferences. Understanding these settings can help you manage your job search more effectively:

• Who can see you're open: You have two options here:
  • All LinkedIn members: This option adds a green "Open to Work" frame to your profile picture, making it visible to everyone on LinkedIn. This can increase your visibility but may not be ideal if you want to keep your job search private from your current employer.
  • Only recruiters: This option hides the "Open to Work" badge from your profile picture and makes your availability visible only to recruiters using LinkedIn Recruiter. This is generally the preferred option for maintaining discretion.
• What kind of job are you looking for?: This section allows you to specify your target job titles, locations, and preferred work arrangements (e.g., remote, hybrid, on-site). Providing accurate information helps recruiters find you for relevant opportunities.
• Start date: You can indicate when you're available to start a new job.
• Job types: Specify the types of employment you're interested in (e.g., full-time, part-time, contract, internship).
• Locations: List the cities or regions where you're willing to work.

When turning off the "Open to Work" feature, it's a good idea to review these settings to ensure they are accurate and reflect your current job search status.

Alternative Strategies for a Discreet Job Search

If you're concerned about your current employer finding out about your job search, here are some alternative strategies you can use:

• Update Your Profile Strategically: Instead of using the "Open to Work" feature, focus on optimizing your LinkedIn profile with relevant keywords and skills. This will make you more visible to recruiters without explicitly announcing your job search.
• Network Actively: Reach out to contacts in your industry and let them know you're exploring new opportunities. Networking can be a powerful way to find jobs through word-of-mouth.
• Target Specific Companies: Identify companies you're interested in and connect with recruiters or hiring managers at those organizations. Send them a personalized message expressing your interest in working for them.
• Use LinkedIn Recruiter Lite (if possible): This paid subscription gives you more advanced search capabilities and allows you to contact recruiters directly.
• Adjust Your Privacy Settings:
  • Turn off activity broadcasts: In your LinkedIn settings, you can disable the option to broadcast your profile updates to your network. This prevents your connections from being notified when you make changes to your profile, such as adding new skills or updating your job title.
  • Control who can see your connections: You can choose to make your connections visible only to yourself, which prevents others from seeing who you're connected to. This can be helpful if you don't want your employer to know which recruiters or industry professionals you're connected to.
  • Review your profile visibility: Make sure your profile is set to "Public" so that recruiters can find you in their searches. However, be mindful of the information you share and avoid including anything that could reveal your job search to your current employer.
• Be Mindful of Your Activity: Avoid liking or commenting on job postings that are relevant to your field, as this could raise suspicions. Also, be careful about joining groups or following companies that are directly related to your job search.
• Consider a Separate LinkedIn Profile: While this is against LinkedIn's terms of service, some people create a second profile using a slightly different name or email address to conduct their job search more discreetly. However, be aware that this approach carries the risk of being discovered and having your account suspended.
• Use Job Boards and Company Websites: Explore job opportunities on other platforms like Indeed, Glassdoor, and company career pages. These channels can provide a more private way to search for jobs without alerting your LinkedIn network.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Forgetting to Remove the "Open to Work" Frame: Even after turning off the "Open to Work" feature, the green frame may still appear on your profile picture. Make sure to remove it separately to avoid confusion.
• Not Updating Your Profile After Finding a Job: Once you've accepted a new job offer, update your LinkedIn profile to reflect your new role. This will prevent recruiters from contacting you about irrelevant opportunities.
• Leaving Inaccurate Information on Your Profile: Keep your profile up-to-date with your latest skills, experience, and contact information. This will ensure that recruiters have an accurate picture of your qualifications.
• Being Too Vague in Your Job Preferences: The more specific you are about your target job titles, locations, and work arrangements, the better chance you'll have of attracting relevant opportunities.
• Ignoring Your Network: Networking is a crucial part of any job search. Don't be afraid to reach out to your contacts for advice, referrals, or job leads.

Fine-Tuning Your LinkedIn Profile for Job Search Success

Even without the "Open to Work" badge, a well-optimized LinkedIn profile can significantly increase your chances of being found by recruiters. Here are some key areas to focus on:

• Headline: Your headline is one of the first things recruiters see. Use it to showcase your key skills, experience, and target job titles.
• Summary: Your summary is your opportunity to tell your story and highlight your unique value proposition. Use keywords that are relevant to your industry and target roles.
• Experience: Provide detailed descriptions of your previous roles and accomplishments. Quantify your achievements whenever possible to demonstrate your impact.
• Skills: List all of your relevant skills and get endorsed by your connections. Skills endorsements can boost your profile's visibility in search results.
• Recommendations: Ask former colleagues, managers, or clients to write recommendations for you. Positive recommendations can add credibility to your profile.
• Education: Include your educational background, certifications, and any relevant coursework or projects.
• Keywords: Research the keywords that recruiters are using to search for candidates in your field and incorporate them throughout your profile.

Monitoring Your LinkedIn Activity

It's a good idea to regularly monitor your LinkedIn activity to see who's viewing your profile and what kind of jobs you're being considered for. This can give you valuable insights into the effectiveness of your job search strategy.

• Who's Viewed Your Profile: This section shows you which LinkedIn members have viewed your profile recently. If you see recruiters from companies you're interested in, consider reaching out to them directly.
• Job Views: This section shows you how many times your profile has appeared in job search results. If your job views are low, you may need to optimize your profile with more relevant keywords.
• Search Appearances: This section shows you the keywords that people are using to find your profile in LinkedIn searches. This can help you identify areas where you can improve your profile's visibility.

Staying Positive and Persistent

Job searching can be a challenging and sometimes frustrating process. It's important to stay positive, persistent, and proactive. Don't get discouraged by rejections or setbacks. Keep learning, keep networking, and keep refining your approach. Your next great opportunity is out there waiting for you.

Conclusion

Turning off the "Open to Work" feature on LinkedIn is a simple task, but understanding the implications and using alternative strategies for a discreet job search can be crucial for your career advancement. By following the steps outlined in this guide and optimizing your LinkedIn profile, you can effectively manage your job search and increase your chances of landing your dream job. Remember to stay proactive, network actively, and always present yourself in a professional and confident manner. Good luck with your job search!