I've disagreed with something posted on the internet…
*tumbleweed*
Ok, that isn't shocking considering the widespread nonsense regularly posted online.
But this time, it's something incredibly reductive that's also connected to jobs and careers.
I felt I should comment.
Green badge, not red flag
This is a horrible take.
And as you can see by the ratio of comments, I wasn’t the only one who had some thoughts.
I'm 90% certain it was engagement bait as judging by her replies to those who commented, she backs down very quickly.
And if it was bait, I've bitten… but not for the sake of it.
Whether it was bait or not, it's a really unhelpful post and actually quite harmful to those on the job hunt.
If you haven’t seen the open to work badge, it’s a green strip that – if you choose to turn it on – semi-circles your profile picture, making it clear you’re looking for a new role.
That little green banner could be the reason you find your next opportunity, so deciding to turn it on is a huge step.
What it's not, is a red flag or a sign of desperation.
(I won't delve into the tweet’s reference to the hiring badge, but that is also a ridiculous take).
Job hunting is hard
More often than not, you’re doing it quietly as you look to take that next step from where you are now to somewhere new.
You don’t want to risk any issues if your existing employer was to find out, or awkward conversations where they might try and convince you to stay – even when your heart isn’t in it anymore.
This is normal.
But, in a situation where leaving a job wasn’t your choice, it's even harder.
For obvious financial reasons, being out of work can make you feel hugely vulnerable.
It can also quickly manifest as imposter syndrome, where you start to question your skills, knowledge and capabilities – particularly if you've been made redundant.
And the longer you’re out of work, the worse these feelings can get.
However, you shouldn't feel ashamed.
Nor should it stop you from adding open to work to your LinkedIn profile picture.
(You might even take the additional step to write a post about your situation).
And there's a reason why those types of LinkedIn posts get high engagement – many people have been in a similar situation themselves and will know what you're going through, so they'll want to help.
But you can only get that support if people know your situation, and sometimes that little green circle on LinkedIn is where you might need to start.
It happened to me once before and I've never forgotten the supportive comments and messages.
Nor the opportunity that followed.
Overcoming the fear of being open about your situation might lead to a conversation that puts your career back on track.
Turning that badge on, or announcing you're looking for work, is not desperate.
It's incredibly brave.