Many job seekers think that simply posting #OpenToWork on their LinkedIn profile will get them noticed by recruiters and hiring managers. Unfortunately, it's not that simple. For one thing, the hashtag is incredibly common - a quick search on LinkedIn shows that over 19 million people have used it in their profile or posts.

That means that your post is likely to get lost in the noise, making it harder for the right people to see it.

The Solution: Share Your Work and Qualifications

Instead of just saying that you're open to work, you should be sharing your work and qualifications with your network. This means highlighting the skills and experience that make you a great fit for the job you want, as well as the companies and people you want to be introduced to.

By being clear and specific about what you're looking for, you make it easier for your friends and colleagues to help you out. 

How to Do It Right 

To make the most of your LinkedIn profile, you should be doing the following: 

1. Clearly state the work you do and why you're great at it. Use specific examples and metrics wherever possible to demonstrate your value.

2. Highlight the companies and people you want to be introduced to. Make it easy for your network to help you out by telling them who you want to meet.

3. Share your portfolio and case studies that demonstrate your excellence. This is your chance to show, not tell, what you're capable of.

Finally, you should be instructing your personal network on how they can help you. This might mean asking for introductions to specific people or companies, or it might mean sharing your posts and updates with their own networks.

By giving your friends and colleagues specific actions to take, you increase your chances of getting noticed by the right people.

So What Next?

Stop just posting #OpenToWork and start sharing your work and qualifications. Be bold, yet honest. Demonstrate your skills and be clear about who you want to meet. Instruct your personal network on how they can help you.