How to announce you're #OpentoWork on LinkedIn (There's a better way to do it!)

Last week I introduced the Open to Work Info Sheet and I encouraged you to write one and make a list of people to send it to. (Click here to read last week’s newsletter in case you missed it.) Here's what the Open to Work Info Sheet looks like (click here to get your own Open to Work Info Sheet template ):

This week I’m covering the last step of the Open to Work Info Sheet process: Announce that you’re #OpentoWork on LinkedIn.?

But first, a mindset check about reaching out to your network or posting for help on LinkedIn. You might be hesitant to reach out to your network for fear of bothering others, or worry about posting on LinkedIn because you might look “desperate.”?

While your feelings are natural and quite common, I can assure you that this is not the case. People are generally quite happy to help, especially if you make it easy for them with the Open to Work Info Sheet. You will be rewarded for your vulnerability and candor, I promise.?

ANNOUNCE YOU’RE OPEN TO WORK ON LINKEDIN

There are two ways to announce you’re #OpentoWork on LinkedIn: 1) Change the settings on your profile, and 2) Write a post about it.

STEP 1: CHANGE THE SETTING ON YOUR PROFILE

STEP 1: Click on the “Open to” button below your Headline.

STEP 2: Click “Finding a New Job.”

STEP 3: Add your job preferences including job title, type, and location. NOTE: You can add up to five job titles and five locations.?

STEP 4: Now you have two options:

1) Choose “Recruiters only” (the “Open to Work” green banner WILL NOT appear on your photo, this option is best for those who are passively and quietly looking for work. Only recruiters using LinkedIn Recruiter will see you’re open to work).

2) Choose?“All LinkedIn members” (the “Open to Work” green banner WILL appear on your photo, this option is best for those who are actively and openly looking for work). Click here for more details about #OpentoWork from LinkedIn Answers.?

A NOTE ABOUT THE “OPEN TO WORK” GREEN BANNER: This is a hotly debated topic on LinkedIn - should you post the green banner or not? Some argue that the green banner makes you look “desperate,” but I disagree, and the recruiters I talk to prefer the green banner too - it makes their jobs easier because you’re easier to find (LinkedIn Recruiter is quite expensive, and not all recruiters use it. So some recruiters might not know that you’re open to work if you have this turned off). Today’s job search is tough, and I say that you use every tool available to you - including the green banner.?

The only negative thing about the “Open to Work” green banner is that it opens you up to unwanted pitches on LinkedIn. Within minutes of posting the banner, you will get messages from resume writers, MLM schemes, franchise opportunities, and other types of pitches and spam. Just block the messages and move on. I think it’s a small price to pay for the benefits of the green banner, but you can decide for yourself.?

STEP 2: WRITE A LINKEDIN POST ABOUT IT?

After creating your #OpentoWork settings, LinkedIn will encourage you to write a post about it. It will create a generic statement like the image below:

DO NOT USE THIS STATEMENT! I say "ugh" every time I see one of these. Everyone uses it and you will not stand out. Plus, it doesn’t share any of the vital information from your Open to Work Info Sheet.?

Instead, draft a post ahead of time in a separate document and then copy + paste the post in LinkedIn. Here are suggestions about what to include in your post:?

1. Start with a story: “After being laid off in December and taking time to regroup with family, I am now on the job market and ready to work.”?
2. Follow up with a paragraph that follows this format: "I'm looking to work in [insert job title/industry]. My background is in [describe your industry/role], and I want to leverage my skills in [list key skills] to [describe your mission/ideal job]. Do you know anyone in the [name of company] or [name of industry] who can help? I am interested in meeting people for informational interviews, job opportunities, and to expand my network."??
3. Now you can just copy + paste the information from your Open to Work Info Sheet: List your ideal jobs and industries, and your most relevant skills.
4. List your ideal companies and tag them in the post (type “@CompanyName” to tag).
5. List your most impressive and relevant accomplishments in bullet points, preferably with numbers that illustrate your impact.
6. OPTIONAL: Include a “FUN FACTS” section so that people get to know your personality. LinkedIn has gotten more social, and your connections appreciate learning more about you outside of your professional experience. This is what drives real connections!?
7. Include a call to action encouraging your networking to support your job search: “If you know of any companies hiring product managers, or recruiters in the tech space, or if you spot any product management roles, please send them my way. And please like or comment on this post to improve visibility.” (This isn’t pushy, I assure you. People WANT to help!)
8. Offer help to your network: “Thank you for your support and if there is any way I can use my knowledge, resources, or connections to help you, please let me know.”
9. Keep it short: People don’t read long paragraphs - our eyes glaze over it. Aim for short paragraphs, short sentences, and use emojis and bullet points to break it up.?
10. Attach your Open to Work Info Sheet: Create a version that doesn’t include your contact information (for privacy reasons). Post that version on LinkedIn then pin it to your “Featured” section so it remains at the top of your profile.?
11. Reach out to your network and send them the link to your post. Ask them to “like” and comment on it to improve your post’s visibility.?

SAMPLE #OPENTOWORK LINKEDIN POST:

After my entire team was laid off in February, I took time to process the shock, regroup with my family, and take many hikes in the woods. I am now ready to look for a new job, and I hope you can help!?

I’m looking for a fundraising role in the nonprofit sector, ideally in environmental conservation or education. I am an industry-accredited financial professional and I want to leverage my skills in business development, negotiation, and relationship-building to raise money for important causes.?

IDEAL JOBS:?

I’d like to work in fundraising: Fundraising Manager, Director of Development, Major Gifts Fundraising Manager, Philanthropy Officer, or Director of Annual Giving. Seeking full-time remote or hybrid roles in the Boston area.?

IDEAL COMPANIES:?

Strong preference for nonprofits dedicated to environmental conservation and education. I am drawn to organizations like @The Nature Conservancy, @Natural Resources Defense Fund, @The Learning Trust, @Massachusetts Audubon Society, and @The Trustees of Reservations.

ACCOMPLISHMENTS:?

I have extensive experience managing large budgets and various departments. Past successes include:?

• Spearheaded and successfully closed three high-value mergers worth $500 million.
• Coordinated with 40+ stakeholders across five organizations to ensure continuous management and smooth financial transitions during mergers.?
• Reduced deal cycle times by 20% using streamlined project management methodologies.

SKILLS:?

Financial analysis ? Project management ? Business development ? Financial modeling ? Negotiation ? Strategic planning ? Budget management ? Relationship building?

FUN FACTS ABOUT ME:

? I love to travel and have visited 16 countries so far (my favorites are Thailand, Australia, and Greece).

? My favorite pizza topping is pineapple (controversial, I know).

? My favorite season is winter because I love to ski.?

? I am happiest when I’m hiking in the woods with my two dogs, Frank and Betsy.?

Do you know anyone who works in non-profits, particularly in environmental conservation and education? Or do you know of any nonprofits looking for fundraising help? Please pass this along to anyone who might help me land my dream job! I am interested in meeting people for informational interviews, job opportunities, and to expand my network.?

Please comment or like this post to spread the message and thank you for your help! If there is any way I can use my network to help you, please let me know.?

REPOST YOUR LINKEDIN POST

Share your Open to Work Info Sheet every 3-4 weeks. (Yes, this is ok to do! Many people didn’t see it the first time or simply forgot about it.) You can post the same message again, or mix it up a little. Include pictures of you doing something interesting, or pictures of your pets or kids (people love that personal connection). Just be sure that every time you post, include your ideal job titles, location, the types of companies/industries that interest you, and your top accomplishments.?

And that’s it! That’s how you announce you’re #OpentoWork on LinkedIn. I know this was a lot of information to take in over the last two weeks, so bookmark this newsletter and reference it often as you’re working on your own Open to Work Info Sheet and LinkedIn posts.?

To your success,

- Emily

Thanks for reading this newsletter. I share practical career advice about the job search, personal branding, networking, LinkedIn, and building career confidence. The job search sucks. Let me help you make it a little easier.

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EMILY WORDEN is a certified professional career coach helping driven job seekers get hired, get paid, and get more confident in their personal and professional lives. She helps mid-career professionals with career transitions, whether they want to move into a new industry or return to work after a career pause. Emily created a proven five-step method to help people find jobs they love for more money than they were expecting - the typical client receives a job offer in three months with a 20% pay increase. Kick your career in gear at www.emilyworden.com .