As many of you know, Linkedin now has an”Open to Work” feature, designed specifically for professionals to discreetly signal their availability for new opportunities. Whether you’re considering a shift to a different bank, a move to private equity, or exploring other financial avenues, this feature can be a game-changer.
Here’s how to navigate it:
Activating the Feature
To indicate your open-to-work status, click on the “Add New Profile Section” button located next to your profile picture. From there, select “Looking for a new job” in the Intro section at the top. You’ll be presented with two sharing options: “share with recruiters only” or “share with all LinkedIn members.”
Which Option to Choose?
1. “Share with recruiters only” – This is the recommended choice for investment bankers. By selecting this, only recruiters with access to LinkedIn’s premium “LinkedIn Recruiter” platform will be notified of your availability. Given the competitive nature of the investment banking sector, being visible to this select group can increase your chances of landing a prime opportunity. Moreover, many top-tier banks and financial institutions use this platform for their talent acquisition.
A Note for Those in Active Roles: While LinkedIn ensures that recruiters from your current organization cannot see your open-to-work status, there’s always a slim chance that through networking, this information might be shared. However, this shouldn’t deter you. If questioned, a simple response highlighting your proactive approach to understanding the market can suffice. After all, in the dynamic world of investment banking, staying informed is key.
2. “Share with all LinkedIn members” – This option places an open-to-work badge around your profile picture. For investment bankers, this might not be the most discreet choice. Broadcasting your job-seeking status so openly might raise unnecessary questions or assumptions about your current role or career trajectory.
In Conclusion
LinkedIn’s “Open to Work” feature offers a strategic way for investment bankers to navigate their next career move. By opting for the “share with recruiters only” setting, you can maintain discretion while ensuring visibility among key decision-makers in the finance world. Remember, in the high-stakes realm of investment banking, every move should be calculated and strategic.
