The Open to Work Banner Hurts Your Chances More Than You Think
Lindsay Mustain ran a controlled experiment testing LinkedIn profile photos with and without the #OpenToWork banner. The results across Competence, Likeability, and Influence are more damaging than most job seekers realize.
I tested the #opentowork banner on my profile photo.
Here's the 3rd test. The most shocking results of all!
You may want to rethink your profile photo.
People always ask me
"Do I add a banner or not?"
So, I ran a test of my photos with the #opentowork banner - and without.
The tests were performed to judge photos in a controlled voting environment, based on:
Competence, Likability, and Influence.
Results with the banner:
- Competence: down 2.9 pts
- Likeability: down 3 pts
- Influence: down 3.3 pts
SAME PHOTO. The only difference? The banner.
A 3-point drop is not cosmetic. It is catastrophic.
It is a full downgrade in perceived authority.
Influence is the perception most tied to leadership and hireability.
This is called unconscious bias.
You might think your photo doesn't influence perception (or you might think that it shouldn't). Both my experiment and the research say otherwise. It's unfair, I know.
But it's a fact, and when we embrace the truth, we can take action to change it.
According to a Princeton study, we form first impressions in 1/10 of a second based solely on someone's face.
Those snap judgments decide whether we see someone as competent, likable, and trustworthy.
Your photo is the first thing people see on LinkedIn. It decides whether someone looks at the rest of your profile. It sets the tone for how everything else is viewed.
Related: Diagnosing a stalled job search.
Frequently Asked Questions
For the full framework, read Hireability Gap.
Ready to close your Hireability Gap™ and land a six-figure remote role without applying? Start here at SixFigureRemoteCareerStrategy.com.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the Open to Work banner hurt your LinkedIn profile?
Yes. A controlled study testing the same profile photo with and without the #OpenToWork banner showed a 2.9 to 3.3 point drop across Competence, Likeability, and Influence. That is not cosmetic. It is a full downgrade in perceived authority before a recruiter reads a single word.
What factors does a LinkedIn profile photo affect?
According to Princeton research, first impressions form in 1/10 of a second based solely on a person's face. On LinkedIn, that first impression determines whether someone looks at the rest of your profile and sets the tone for how everything else is perceived. Competence, Likeability, and Influence all hinge on it.
Should senior professionals use the Open to Work banner?
No. The data shows it decreases perceived authority and hireability before anyone reads your headline, summary, or experience. The Open to Work signal belongs in your LinkedIn settings where only recruiters using LinkedIn Recruiter can see it - not as a visible banner on your profile photo.
What is unconscious bias in hiring?
Unconscious bias means hiring decisions are influenced by factors candidates cannot fully control, including split-second visual signals. The Open to Work banner triggers a bias that reads as lower authority and neediness, even when the viewer is not aware of it.
How do I close my Hireability Gap™?
Start with the full framework at Hireability Gap, then get a personalized assessment at SixFigureRemoteCareerStrategy.com.
