About that green #OpenToWork badge...
If you are currently using the #OpenToWork badge on LinkedIn, or if you are considering using it, I recommend asking yourself these questions:
1️⃣ “What evidence do I have that the #OpenToWork badge is an effective way to land a good-fitting role at a good-fitting company?”...“What % of the people I personally know on LinkedIn have landed such a role as a direct result of using this badge?”
2️⃣ “If nearly everyone is #OpenToWork for the right opportunity [they are even if they deny it!], how does broadcasting that I’m open to work help me stand out?”...“If everyone is open to work, is the badge necessary?”
3️⃣ “Do recruiters look for people who are #OpenToWork / unemployed, or do they look for qualified candidates, regardless of their employment status and whether they are an active or passive job seeker?”
4️⃣ “Would I walk into a networking event – or any public place – with a nametag that says #OpenToWork, or would I be more strategic about who I discuss my job search with, and how?”...“If more strategic IRL, then does it make sense to also be more strategic online?”
5️⃣ “If, as Bill Leonard says, there are only a handful of companies (maybe 10?) that I’d be a good fit for at any given time in my career based on mutual values, goals, interests, mission, culture, leadership style etc., how does the #OpenToWork badge help me land a role at one of those companies?”...“Since I’ve done my homework and know which companies are a good fit for me, are there better ways of landing a role at one of these companies?”
6️⃣ “Does the #OpenToWork badge help or hurt my brand and first impressions people are forming about me, which research and my intuition tell me are super important?”
7️⃣ “If I’ve been using the #OpenToWork badge for months and it hasn’t helped me achieve my job search goal [hopefully a good fitting job at one of your target companies!], does it make sense to keep using it?”
The above questions are meant to help you think critically about whether using the #OpenToWork badge is right for you. Maybe it is. I don’t doubt that the badge has helped many people achieve their job search goals. Good for them. The question is whether they are the exception or the rule.
🗝 Sometimes an easy job search tactic isn’t the best - or even an effective - one.
Think about it. In your head.
[This article was originally published on LinkedIn on 2/27/23: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/green-opentowork-badge-bill-leonard-mhrm%3FtrackingId=US438dGnQgmFuB1PeLQPmw%253D%253D/?trackingId=US438dGnQgmFuB1PeLQPmw%3D%3D]