How to Change Job Preferences on LinkedIn Effectively in 2026?

[RichardLynn]

I just went through updating my job preferences on LinkedIn, and it’s actually pretty simple once you know where to look. The first step is to click on your profile picture in the top-right corner and select “View Profile.” Then, look for the “Open to Work” button below your headline. If you don’t see it, click the “Add profile section” button and choose “Open to Work” from the dropdown. A pop-up will guide you through setting job titles, locations, start dates, and whether you want to show this to recruiters only or all LinkedIn members.

Here’s a quick breakdown of the key settings you can adjust:

Setting	What It Does
Job titles	Add up to 10 titles that match your target roles
Locations	Specify cities or remote options
Start date	Choose when you’re available
Visibility	“Recruiters only” hides it from your current employer
Notification preferences	Control email and app alerts for new matches

I make sure to review my preferences every three months because job markets shift fast. Also, don’t forget to update your “Skills & endorsements” section to align with the new roles—it helps LinkedIn’s algorithm match you better. One tip: if you’re passively looking, set visibility to “Recruiters only” so you don’t alarm your current boss. The whole process takes under five minutes, and the changes reflect immediately.

[BryceAnn]

Honestly, I only touch my job preferences when I’m seriously hunting. I go to Settings & Privacy > Job seeking preferences, and I toggle off the “Show to recruiters” option until I’m ready. That way, no one at my current company gets a notification. Privacy is everything to me, so I keep it locked down.

[AngeloRose]

My trick is to use the LinkedIn mobile app—go to the “Jobs” tab at the bottom, tap the gear icon in the top-right corner, and you’ll see “Job preferences.” I update mine monthly to reflect new contract roles I’m interested in. The notification settings there are clutch for not getting spammed.

[VonJuliana]

I update my job preferences every quarter, especially after finishing a certification or adding a new skill. I find that changing the job titles to match emerging trends (like “AI Product Manager” instead of “Product Manager”) gets me more relevant recruiter messages. The location filter is also key—I set it to “Remote” and “Hybrid” to cover all bases.

[StPresley]

The first time I tried to change my job preferences, it took me a while because the menu is buried. Here’s what worked for me: on desktop, click “Open to Work” under your profile photo, then hit “Edit” in the bottom-right corner of the pop-up. You can also access it via “Jobs” > “Preferences” on the left sidebar. Don’t forget to save after each change—I once lost my edits because I closed the tab too fast.