LinkedIn’s Latest Update: Notice Period and Salary Fields on Open to Work Profiles
Job hunting just got a little smoother thanks to a practical upgrade from LinkedIn. The social network for professionals has introduced two new fields within its Open to Work feature: Notice Period and Expected Annual Salary. This addition gives recruiters a clearer sense of a candidate’s availability and compensation expectations, helping align timelines and roles early in the hiring process.
What the Update Includes
Previously, candidates could signal openness to new opportunities, but recruiters often faced back-and-forth to confirm start dates and salary. The new fields—Notice Period and Expected Annual Salary—appear when users select Open to > Finding a new job on their profiles. LinkedIn emphasizes that these details are designed to be visible only to recruiters, even if the user’s Open to Work status is public to others in their network.
How to Enable and Use the Features
To enable the new settings, follow these steps:
– Go to your LinkedIn profile.
– Click Open to → Finding a new job.
– Enter your target job titles, preferred salary range, and your notice period.
– Decide whether your Open to Work status should be visible to recruiters only or to your entire network.
These fields can be updated at any time, allowing you to reflect changes in your situation—such as a negotiated extension or a different salary target as you explore opportunities.
Why This Matters for Job Seekers
The primary benefit is speed. For recruiters, knowing a candidate’s earliest available start date and salary expectations up front reduces time spent on scheduling, compensation discussions, and misaligned offers. In markets where long notice periods are common—such as India, where 60–90 days notice is typical—this feature could dramatically shorten the hiring cycle by surfacing compatible candidates earlier in the process.
Beyond speed, the update also enhances transparency. Employers can quickly assess whether a candidate’s availability fits current vacancies, especially for urgent or high-priority roles. For job seekers, clearly stated notice periods and salary expectations can improve the quality of recruiter outreach, making conversations more efficient and productive from the first contact.
Strategic Tips to Maximize Visibility
To get the most from these new fields, consider the following best practices:
- <strongBe precise but reasonable with your notice period. If you’re currently employed but negotiating a shorter transition, reflect the minimum you could accept rather than the ideal scenario.
- <strongSet a realistic salary range. Use a reasonable range that aligns with your skills, experience, and local market norms to avoid mismatches later.
- <strongHighlight critical skills and achievements. With the Open to Work tag, a robust skills list (at least five skills) correlates with higher recruiter engagement.
- <strongBalance privacy with visibility. If you’re actively seeking roles but want to control who sees your status, leverage the recruiters-only option to protect your network.
LinkedIn’s data also suggests broader profile optimization helps; profiles with a richer skill set tend to be viewed more often, and turning on Open to Work can double the likelihood of receiving recruiter messages. In short, these updates aren’t just about timelines—they’re about presenting a complete, transparent picture that accelerates matches.
What Recruiters Should Know
From a recruiter’s standpoint, the new fields simplify candidate screening and reduce guesswork. In fast-moving industries or regions with tight labor markets, the ability to immediately gauge availability and compensation expectations can be the difference between a quick hire and a prolonged search.
As LinkedIn continues to evolve its recruiting tools, both job seekers and employers gain a clearer signal of fit and readiness. The platform’s emphasis on transparency, speed, and efficient matching aligns with the modern job market’s demand for faster, smarter hiring processes.
Bottom Line
If you’re job hunting, this is a clear cue to update your LinkedIn profile with your notice period and salary expectations. The more specific you are, the easier it becomes for recruiters to determine fit and move candidates through the funnel faster. Use these fields thoughtfully, keep them current, and watch as your recruiter outreach quality improves.
