2023 End-of-Year Job Market Report - Payscale
In 2023, we are seeing wages for the most in-demand jobs grow by double digits — from 18–24 percent — according to Payscale's online salary ...
“open to work” banner controversy
Some employers are also loath to consider people who are unemployed. These organizations prefer “passive” candidates, even though already-employed prospects are more difficult to convince to interview and take a new position. This prejudice was amplified recently in the <anchor>“open to work” banner controversy</anchor> in which a former Google recruiter told CNBC that job candidates who declare they are “open to work” using LinkedIn’s badge look “desperate,” which sparked a heated online debate.
Don't use LinkedIn's 'open to work' sign, says former Google recruiter
Don't use LinkedIn's 'open to work' sign, says former Google recruiter

[Skip Navigation](#MainContent)

[![logo](https://static-redesign.cnbcfm.com/dist/4aa16a5a247997e68dcd.svg)](//www.cnbc.com/make-it/)

[![logo](https://static-redesign.cnbcfm.com/dist/4aa16a5a247997e68dcd.svg)](//www.cnbc.com/make-it/)

[![logo](https://static-redesign.cnbcfm.com/dist/2469ed0a9a4cafdf055e.svg)](/)

[Success](/make-it/success/)

- [Startups](/make-it/start-ups)
- [Side Hustles](/make-it/side-hustles/)
- [Power Players](/make-it/power-players/)
- [Leadership](/make-it/leadership/)

[Money](/make-it/money/)

- [Earn](/make-it/earn/)
- [Spend](/make-it/spend/)
- [Save and Invest](/make-it/save-and-invest/)
- [Become Debt-Free](/make-it/become-debt-free/)

[Work](/make-it/work/)

- [Land the Job](/make-it/land-the-job/)
- [Get Ahead](/make-it/get-ahead/)
- [Closing the Gap](/closing-the-gap/)
- [Science of Success](/make-it/science-of-success/)

[Life](/make-it/life/)

- [Pop Culture and Media](/make-it/pop-culture-media/)
- [Psychology and Relationships](/make-it/psychology-relationships/)
- [Health and Wellness](/make-it/health-and-wellness/)
- [Real Estate](/make-it/real-estate/)

[Video](/make-it/video/)

- [Most Popular](/make-it/most-popular-video/)
- [CNBC TV](https://www.cnbc.com/tv/)

[Courses](/make-it-smarter/)

Menu

SEARCH [CNBC.COM](//www.cnbc.com)

[Land the Job](https://www.cnbc.com/make-it/land-the-job/)

# Don’t use LinkedIn's ‘open to work’ sign, says former Google recruiter: It feels ‘like desperation’

Published Tue, Oct 31 20239:27 AM EDT

![thumbnail](https://image.cnbcfm.com/api/v1/image/107063094-1652877465878-IMG_0087.JPG?v=1666113189&w=60&h=60&ffmt=webp)

[Gili Malinsky](https://www.cnbc.com/gili-malinsky-bio/)

ShareShare Article via FacebookShare Article via TwitterShare Article via LinkedInShare Article via Email

Source: Envato Elements

As many as 117 job applications are submitted on LinkedIn every second, [according to the site](https://news.linkedin.com/about-us#Statistics). To stand out from the pack and land your dream job, there are a number of steps experts recommend. [Use your banner](https://www.cnbc.com/2023/09/28/do-these-3-things-on-linkedin-and-be-head-and-shoulders-above-others.html) to show off professional accomplishments. Use featured links to give examples of your work. Update your profile regularly to ensure it reflects your many skills.

But when it comes to what not to do, "the biggest red flag on LinkedIn is the 'open to work' symbol," says former Google recruiter [Nolan Church](https://www.cnbc.com/2023/08/08/former-google-recruiter-biggest-resume-pet-peeves.html), now the CEO of talent marketplace [Continuum](https://www.joincontinuum.com/).

It's a "hot take," he says, but here's why he stands by it.

## It feels 'like desperation'

When it comes to [job interviews](https://www.cnbc.com/2023/10/18/3-ways-ive-messed-up-in-job-interviews-and-how-to-avoid-my-mistakes.html), you want to give the company you're interviewing with the sense that you have other options and that they have to fight for you. "Recruiting is like dating," says Church. "You have to make the other side feel like you're exclusive."

What you're signaling to hiring managers with the "open to work" sign on LinkedIn is that you'll take any job, says Church, from whoever reaches out to you, because maybe nobody is. "It actually feels to a hiring manager like desperation," he says.

As a recruiter, "you want to feel like that person really wants to work at _your_ company versus any company," says Church. And that sign makes it look like the opposite.

## 'When you look desperate, people don't want you'

Ultimately, recruiters believe "the best people are not looking for jobs," says Church. "You have to go and pull them out." Those people are always open to conversations with prospective employers, but they're happy where they are because their skills and talents have helped them build great opportunities for themselves.

That doesn't mean you shouldn't apply to jobs if you're looking for the next role, says Church. Just don't signal it so openly on LinkedIn.

"You have to create desire," he says. "For better or worse, it's just how humans are wired — when you look desperate, people don't want you."

_**DON'T MISS:** Want to be smarter and more successful with your money, work & life?_ [_Sign up for our new newsletter_](https://www.cnbc.com/make-it-newsletters/)!

_As technology reshapes business expectations, some leaders are embracing change and transforming their organizations for the future. Join the CNBC Evolve Global Summit on November 2 to hear strategies to adapt, innovate and succeed in this new era of business. Buy your ticket_ [_here_](https://bit.ly/3ZWnGZQ) _._

_**Check out:**_

[_**This common LinkedIn mistake can hurt your chances of landing a job offer—how to avoid it**_](https://www.cnbc.com/2023/08/31/career-expert-avoid-this-common-linkedin-mistake-when-job-hunting.html)

[_**The quick fix to improve your resume in 5 minutes, says hiring expert**_](https://www.cnbc.com/2023/08/16/if-you-only-have-5-minutes-to-update-your-resume-do-this-says-expert.html)

[_**Former Google recruiter's No. 1 resume red flag: 'There's zero chance you're going to move forward'**_](https://www.cnbc.com/2023/07/19/the-number-one-red-flag-on-a-resume-according-to-a-former-google-recruiter.html)

![What to say when an interviewer asks, Are you afraid of public speaking?](https://image.cnbcfm.com/api/v1/image/104909696-makeit_12202017_Job_Interview_S01E09_Public_Speaking_mezz.jpg?v=1529477070&w=750&h=422&vtcrop=y)

VIDEO0:0000:00

What to say when an interviewer asks, Are you afraid of public speaking?

[Make It](https://www.cnbc.com/make-it/)

[![make it](https://static-redesign.cnbcfm.com/dist/cf2f4452a6b54d2be146.svg)](/make-it/)

#### Stay in the loop

Get Make It newsletters delivered to your inbox

[Sign Up](/make-it-newsletters/)

#### About Us

Learn more about the world of CNBC Make It

[Learn More](/about-make-it/)

#### Follow Us

[CNBC.COM](https://www.cnbc.com/) [Join the CNBC Panel](https://cnbcrsh.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_dgRx5X1nYC0YjNI?Origin=makeitwebsite)

© 2024 CNBC LLC. All Rights Reserved. A Division of NBC Universal

[Privacy Policy](https://www.nbcuniversal.com/privacy?intake=CNBC)![California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) Opt-Out Icon](https://static-redesign.cnbcfm.com/dist/17269f1b6083fd5f61be.svg)

[Ad Choices](https://www.nbcuniversal.com/privacy/cookies#accordionheader2) [CA Notice](https://www.nbcuniversal.com/privacy/california-consumer-privacy-act?intake=CNBC) [Terms of Service](//www.cnbc.com/terms) [Contact](https://help.cnbc.com/contact)