What is LinkedIn Open to Work?
Open to Work is a LinkedIn feature that signals to recruiters and your network that you are actively looking for a new job. It can appear as a green ring around your profile picture and helps your profile surface more often in recruiter searches.
In 2026, LinkedIn gives you two visibility choices that significantly change who can see this signal — and choosing the wrong one can accidentally reveal your job search to your current employer.
Recruiters Only vs All LinkedIn Members
This is the most important decision when setting up Open to Work.
All LinkedIn Members
Who sees it: Visible to everyone, including your current employer and colleagues
Best for: Unemployed job seekers or those who do not need to hide their search
Recruiters Only
Who sees it: Visible only to people using LinkedIn Recruiter (mostly external recruiters)
Best for: Currently employed professionals who want a private, discreet job search
How to set up Open to Work in 5 steps
Go to your profile and click 'Open to'
On your LinkedIn profile page, click the 'Open to' button just below your headline. This opens options for finding a new job, providing services, or other career-related visibility settings.
Select 'Finding a new job'
Choose this option and fill in your target job titles, location preferences, and the types of roles you want — full-time, part-time, contract, internship, or remote.
Choose your visibility setting
This is the most important step. Choose 'All LinkedIn members' if you want everyone to see the green ring, or 'Recruiters only' to keep it private from your network while remaining visible to recruiters using LinkedIn Recruiter.
Add the green ring to your photo (optional)
If you chose 'All LinkedIn members,' you can also add the visible green Open to Work ring around your profile picture for extra visibility. This step is skipped automatically if you chose Recruiters Only.
Keep your profile and skills updated
The Open to Work setting works best alongside an updated headline, skills section, and recent activity. Recruiters searching LinkedIn filter by skills and keywords, not just the Open to Work flag.
Add the Open to Work ring to your photo free
Use the free Profile Picture Generator to add LinkedIn's green Open to Work ring directly to your photo, along with a clean background and professional border — no design skills needed.
Try the free generatorFrequently asked questions
Can my current employer see that I have Open to Work on?
Not if you set it to Recruiters Only. This setting hides the green Open to Work banner from your public profile and only shows it to people using LinkedIn Recruiter — typically recruiters at other companies. Your current employer and colleagues will not see it unless they specifically have a Recruiter license.
Does Open to Work hurt my chances with my current employer?
If set to Recruiters Only, no — it remains private from your network and current employer. If set to Everyone, it is visible to all your connections, which could raise questions at your current job. Most job seekers who are employed should choose Recruiters Only.
Does the green Open to Work ring actually help you get hired?
It increases visibility in recruiter searches and signals immediate availability, which can result in more InMails and connection requests. However, it works best combined with a strong headline, complete profile, and relevant skills — the ring alone does not replace profile quality.
How do I add the Open to Work ring to my profile picture?
Go to your profile, click the camera icon on your photo, and select Open to Work frame, then choose your job titles and other details. Alternatively, you can use a free profile picture generator tool to add the ring digitally before uploading your photo.
Should freelancers use Open to Work?
Yes, but select the option for freelance or contract work specifically when setting it up. This tells recruiters and potential clients you are available for project-based work rather than only full-time roles.