Stop Saying “I’m Open” — It’s Hurting Your Job Search
- Lisa Frank
- Mar 17
- 1 min read
Networking works best when people know how to help you.
One of my biggest pet peeves? When someone tells me they’re “open.”
I get it. In this market, flexibility feels smart.
But here’s the problem:
When you’re vague, you make it harder for people to advocate for you.
Why it doesn’t work
When you say “I’m open,” people don’t know:
what roles to think of you for
what to listen for
what to say when your name comes up
So most of the time… nothing happens.
What to say instead
You don’t need a perfect answer. You just to give some direction.
Try something like this: “I’m looking for a mid-level internal communications role where I can support employee engagement and change management efforts .”
Or: “I want to move into a more consultative, client-facing PR role, working on consumer campaigns.”
Now you’ve given someone something they can actually repeat.
The real goal of networking
It’s not just about having conversations.
It’s about making it easy for people to talk about you when you’re not in the room.
That’s how opportunities happen.
That’s how your name comes up.
Frankly speaking
If people don’t understand what you’re looking for, they can’t help you find it.
Clarity doesn’t limit you.
It makes you easier to help.
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