'Open to Work' | HR needs to see beyond the 'red flag' of this LinkedIn banner

HR professionals who are in the niche of hiring, talent and recruitment will be familiar with the 'Open to work' badge on LinkedIn. A green 'flash' across the bottom of the person's profile picture, it shows that they are, essentially, looking for a role.

You might find it useful when you're searching for new talent. Or, like former Google recruiter Nolan Church, you might find it a bit 'ick'. Church said recently that the tag is the 'biggest red flag' to hiring managers, and that it can suggest 'desperation' on behalf of the person who is showing themselves as 'open to work'.

But is it as clear cut as a 'red flag' - or is this simple little green swish of availabilty saying far more than 'open to work'?

Church also said that recruiting is like dating - hence the 'red flag' reference. If saying you're 'open to work' is a red flag, does that mean as a recruiter you discount everyone who has the badge on their profile? Because in the current climate it feels like that's more and more people each day.