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I woke up this morning and immediately picked up my phone. Doom scrolled social media. Yes, I’m an addict, like everyone else.
First few things I saw on both LinkedIn and Twitter: people complaining about someone's post on the LinkedIn “Open To Work” banner.
Dammit. Not again. Another mundane topic where we beat a dead horse then drag it through the mud.
What’s worse: with all the response posts and comments, not a single person linked or named the source of everyone’s frustration. (More on this in a bit.)
I still haven’t seen the post in question. No idea who wrote…whatever it is.
In the grand calculus of the universe, it doesn’t matter if you use the Open To Work banner or not. It also doesn’t matter what LinkedIn Influencers say about it. Or any other topic, frankly.
What would be useful? Actual data. i.e. Does it help people get jobs? Does it hurt? Is it a red flag?
Not opinions. But actual numbers to back any of this up. I haven’t seen any studies done. If you have, please, pretty please, shoot me the link. (Seriously.)
The only ‘fact’ I can offer is at Hirewell, we make sure to reach out to people who have the banner up when they’re aligned with searches we’re working on. Because they’re open to work. Duh.
That doesn’t mean we don’t reach out to people who don’t have it up. It's a ‘nice to know’ and ‘perhaps worth another reach out’ type of deal.
Past that: I don’t have any facts. I’m not sure anyone else does either.
Here’s the thing: everyone can make their own decision on this. We’re all adults. If you’re a job seeker, use it. Or not.
The LinkedIn Open To Work banner is not going to make or break your job search. Or your career.
It’s been talked about way, way too much.
In the spirit of moving on: the subtweeting has to stop. Talking about another person’s writing (referencing it directly) without naming them or linking the piece is bush league.
If someone wrote something publicly, it’s out there. You’re not “naming and shaming” by bringing attention to it. (That’s when you out something that was done privately.)
What you’re really doing is not giving people the opportunity to respond or defend their point of view. Talking about them behind their back. Super lame.
On that note: if someone could shoot me the post people keep talking about, that’d be great.
Now, let’s retire this topic for good and move onto something else…
You can follow me on LinkedIn here and Twitter here. Join the discussion on this LinkedIn post (or give it a 👍) here.