Have you recently activated the “Open to Work” badge on LinkedIn? Maybe you did it because you urgently need a job, or perhaps you just want to explore opportunities. But before celebrating that recruiters now know you’re available, it’s worth asking yourself: “What job am I actually looking for?”
It may sound like a simple question, but many candidates don’t have a clear answer. According to a 2023 LinkedIn report, more than 60% of job seekers don’t define their career direction. As a result, they get approached for roles completely unrelated to their goals, waste time in irrelevant interviews, and sometimes even accept jobs that don’t fit—simply because they never defined what they truly want. Here’s what can go wrong with your LinkedIn presentation—and how you can fix it to craft a profile that helps you land the right job.
Lack of direction – the biggest obstacle in job hunting
Imagine you’re a recruiter and you see a profile marked “Open to Work” without any details. What would you think? Most likely: this person is “open to anything.” And unfortunately, that usually signals they don’t really know what they want.
Many candidates write something like: “Looking for a role in HR, marketing, sales, or administration.”
But this kind of description doesn’t help anyone—not the candidate, nor the recruiter who’s searching for specific roles like:
- Digital Marketing Specialist in e-commerce
- Service Technician in the automotive industry
- IT Project Manager in Cluj-Napoca
Clarity isn’t a luxury—it’s essential if you want your profile to show up in the right searches.
Where do you want to work? Say it clearly and you’ll be found
Another critical but often overlooked element is location. LinkedIn uses location as a primary filter in recruiter searches. LinkedIn foloseste localizarea ca filtru de baza in cautarile recrutorilor.
If you’re based in Brașov but open to relocating to Sibiu—or to remote jobs—but don’t mention it, your profile may never appear in relevant searches. And if you’re in Iași but willing to work in Bucharest without stating that, you’re missing opportunities.
Turn your LinkedIn profile into a persuasive mini-pitch
The “Open to Work” badge is only a signal. What truly convinces recruiters is your description. Think of it as your elevator pitch: in just a few sentences, say who you are, what you want, the value you bring, and where you’d like to work.
For example:
“Digital marketing specialist with 5 years’ experience in e-commerce, passionate about boosting conversions and optimizing online campaigns. I’m looking for roles such as Digital Marketing Manager or Content Strategist in Bucharest or remote. Open to international projects.”
This short statement is powerful: it communicates experience, target roles, location, and availability. The recruiter knows instantly if you’re a fit.
What to include in your LinkedIn description
- Target roles – choose 2–3 clear positions, not 10 different fields.
- The value you bring – concrete results, unique skills, relevant certifications.
- Location – your current city plus willingness to relocate or work remotely.
- Availability – shifts, travel, international collaboration (if relevant).
- A personal touch – something that sets you apart in your profession.
How Smartemp can help you
At Smartemp, a company with over 13 years’ experience in staff leasing, recruitment, career counseling, and HR administration, we don’t just optimize your LinkedIn profile. We help you move from “open to opportunities” to “ready for the right job”:
- Define your career direction: together, we identify 2–3 clear career paths based on your experience, interests, and potential.
- Rewrite your LinkedIn profile: we turn your “About” section into a compelling, results-driven presentation.
- Choose the right location and industries: to maximize your visibility in recruiter searches.
- Create an application strategy: how to respond quickly, position yourself in conversations, and negotiate effectively.
The Open to Work badge may open doors—but only clarity and direction will get you the job you want. Define your target roles, showcase the value you bring, highlight what makes you unique, and specify where you want to work.
And if you’re still figuring it out—you’re not alone. The Smartemp team is here to help you find the answers, articulate them clearly, and make your profile stand out. That way, when a recruiter reaches out, you’ll be exactly the candidate they’ve been looking for.
Sources:
- LinkedIn Global Talent Trends 202
- Qureos.com – How LinkedIn’s Open to Work Feature Impacts Your Job Search
- TryApt.ai – What Does Open to Work on LinkedIn Really Do?
- Arxiv.org – Impact of Non-Traditional Credentials on Hiring
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