Many users use social networks to find a job that suits their training and experience. Recently, it has become fashionable, especially in LinkedIn, use the hashtag #OpenToWorkWe are going to explain to you what the meaning is, why many users use this hashtag and the reasons why you should not use it.
LinkedIn, the social network, allows users to share experiences and knowledge, as well as to contact other professionals. The “Open To Work” function was launched some time ago, which aims to help job seekers improve their visibility.
Its purpose is to enable recruiters and talent hunters to identify unemployed people. Despite the positive idea, the reality is that all these professionals have started to use this label for the opposite purpose. When they see a profile with it, they directly discard it and we will explain the reasons.
Reasons why you should not use it
If you have LinkedIn, you will have noticed that there are people in your network with the text “#OpenToWork” in their profile picture. This is one of the two possibilities that the social network offers. Specifically, they are these:
- Share with all LinkedIn members: It is designed so that anyone on the social network can see that you are looking for work. This is precisely the one that shows the green frame with the text #OpenToWork. This tag can be seen by anyone who logs into this network.
- Share only with recruiters: only those who are dedicated to searching for talent within this social network. No one, except these professionals, will really know that you are looking for work, not even in your company. Although LinkedIn warns that someone from your company could see it, they do not guarantee total privacy.
You should know that human resources experts have been warning for some time that they automatically download users whose profile contains the text #OpenToWork. While they do point out that the second option is the most interesting and the one that can really help us.
The first reason given for not using this hashtag is that recruiting professionals do not look for employees on this social network, they look for talent. This means that it is not enough to “brand ourselves” but we must demonstrate our capabilities and knowledge.
Something that many recruiters point out is that using this element denotes a certain desperation on the part of the user. It doesn’t matter if you have left your job voluntarily, it was because the company closed or for any other reason.
You should know that using this hashtag does not imply anything. We will not be selected before the rest of the candidates or we will be valued above the rest. The order does not matter to the hiring professionals, they are looking for talent, people who can contribute beyond official training.
Many professionals looking to recruit talent are looking for “passive candidates.” These are people who are working and do not seem to be looking for a new job. It should be noted that recruiters emphasize that it is easier to find work when you are just starting out than when you are unemployed.
More recently, it has been detected that many scammers are taking advantage of users who use this tag. They choose to try to obtain the data of the unemployed person under any pretext and then use it to their detriment.
Professionals point out that the best way is to share value. This means regularly sharing content that contributes, whether it is our own or news, and giving our point of view. The idea is to generate interactions and show ourselves. Really, this is what can help us the most.