Forget “Open for Work” – job seekers love being labeled “Desperate” on LinkedIn

Younger workers are leading the way in normalizing behaviors that have long been taboo in the professional world. The latest trend they’re pushing is being unapologetically open about how tiring their job search is and how desperate they are to get hired somewhere.

On LinkedIn, users can change their profile to display an “Open for Work” banner – but job seekers are now placing a banner saying “Desperate” on their profile photos to make their situation clear.

It all started with a viral LinkedIn post from Courtney Summer Myers, who initially used the banner herself and was looking for a job as a graphic designer or illustrator with six years of experience in print and digital.

“Firing is not a reflection of a lack of skill, talent or work ethic – it is simply bad luck,” she wrote. “No one should be ashamed that they have to pay their rent, bills, feed their family or feed themselves.” The post received more than 400,000 likes, with other users in the same boat updating their images with the same banner.

While being unemployed for a longer period of time than expected can be a red flag for some recruiters, employees who publicly express their despair say a difficult job market and stigmatization of their situation are more to blame than their lack of skills and their employability.

“What is not reality is the assumption that someone who is open to work is less qualified or experienced than someone else with similar skills who happens to be employed,” Mo Reddy, a contract recruiter, said in a statement Post with his profile photo and a banner that reads “Proudly open and competent at work.”

“For those who say it’s a sign of desperation – well, it is. When you’re struggling to make ends meet, when you have to provide for your children and when you’re unsure how you’re going to keep a roof over your head – that’s the reality,” he said.

Reddy has been in recruiting himself for the past 15 years, typically taking on projects on a contract basis, but has been looking for a full-time position “for years,” he said. “You can get some very lucrative contracts, but there is no job stability,” he said.

The desperate banner also points to another trend on LinkedIn where users are posting to build their personal brand within their professional networks, with more content showcasing their personalities and personal lives.

While some think that posting on the platform becomes too personal, others think it’s a great tactic to really stand out from the crowd while maintaining and building professional relationships. And younger employees in particular value their own authenticity and using social media to show what they stand for.

Some HR professionals are embracing the shift toward transparency about their situation, like Kaitlin Howes, HR business partner at employee experience platform Reward Gateway. “The idea of ​​being transparent, letting people know where you stand, what you’re looking for, building trust and coming from a place of openness feels really wonderful to us,” she said.

“I think it shows that younger generations feel more comfortable being really honest about their situation and not being afraid to be open about the work. There is nothing wrong with being transparent when looking for something new,” she said. At the same time, those who are desperate for work are actually great candidates.

“We want you to look forward to working with us. We want you to be your true self in our interviews. And what better way to do that than to just communicate openly and transparently about where you are and what you need,” she said.

“Desperate people work ten times harder. Why? There is more at stake. Isn’t it crazy that ambitious, motivated and well-meaning people get rejected from jobs because they care too much?” Sara Dalsfelt, CMO at Adway, wrote in a Linkedin post.