LinkedIn's New AI Features: Job Seekers, Are You Ready?

Learn more about LinkedIn’s new AI features and how they revolutionize this platform. Get ready to take your career to new heights with cutting-edge technology.

Imagine a world where your traditional four-year college degree is merely a delightful addition to your resume and not the be-all and end-all. A world where your skills, adaptability, and continuous learning reign supreme.

Welcome to LinkedIn 2024 - a year filled with LinkedIn's new AI features!

With the dawn of artificial intelligence (AI) driving its core functions, LinkedIn is not just redefining how recruiters search for their next candidate but also reshaping how job seekers should present themselves on this platform.

This evolution isn't merely a tech upgrade; it's a game-changer in the job-hunting landscape, highlighting skills and accomplishments instead of traditional paths like degrees.

Let me show you how the future could shape up for you and what you'll need to do to adapt as a job seeker in case you decide to look for a job after LinkedIn implements its AI.

LinkedIn's New AI Features: The Dawn of a New Era

Just when we thought they couldn't get any better with their features for recruiters, they're now rolling out the red carpet for a grander entrance: The first wave of its AI transformation.

Let’s dive in to unravel what this means for the world of recruitment and how recruiters will be searching for candidates:

1. Natural Language Makes Its Debut
   Gone are the days of complex Boolean searches or tediously checking multiple filter boxes. The future is conversational. Recruiters can now simply type what they're looking for, as naturally as they'd say it out loud. Think, "Find me a dynamic marketing professional with startup experience based in San Francisco," and voilà – AI does the magic.

   

   Source: LinkedIn

2. A Holistic Candidate View
   AI isn’t just about simplifying search; it's about enriching it. Once recruiters define their ideal candidate, LinkedIn will pull up profiles that not just match the exact criteria but also those that resonate with the broader attributes. It's about similarities in skills, industries, and companies, allowing a richer and more diverse pool of candidates to emerge.
   

3. Spotlight on the Active and Engaged
   In a move that's bound to excite active job seekers, LinkedIn is also emphasizing responsiveness and intent. If you're keen on new opportunities, actively engaging on the platform, or showing interest in specific companies, you're likely to get spotlighted.
   

   Recruiters can now easily filter candidates based on engagement markers like "Open to Work" status, company interest, and even InMail response rates. LinkedIn can already show some of this data, but I am sure they will expand the list of signals that let recruiters know you're interested in new job opportunities.
   

   LinkedIn collects so much data about us they should be able to predict when we're ready for a new job before we even realize it ourselves!

Refining Your Profile: No More Just Job Titles!

If you thought simply listing your job titles on LinkedIn was enough, think again. We're entering an era where the specifics matter more than ever.

So, let's dive into how you can give your profile that much-needed shine.

• Describing Your Role Like a Pro
  Simply stating you in your job description as a "Working as Marketing Manager", or "Develop and maintain software applications," or keeping it blank doesn't cut it anymore.
  
  Instead, delve into the nitty-gritty. Did you lead a team that drove a 20% increase in sales? Or did you develop an app that solved a particular customer issue? Spell it out. Let the world know about the tasks you tackled and the accomplishments that made you proud.

  Your LinkedIn description is more than just your job title, it will play a significant role in the future. And don't worry; I'll be testing LinkedIn AI and sharing tips on how to make the most of it!

  

  I am sure that in the near future, some LinkedIn AI tool will be able to create a professional job description based on the information you share. But the more accurate and filled with the right words your profile is, the better chance you have to attract recruiters. Generic job descriptions won't get you great results, so it's important to make them personal and tailored to your strengths.
  

• Skills Spotlight
  Remember that section on LinkedIn where you list your skills and get endorsements? It’s not just a decorative piece. With recruiters now having the ability to dig deeper with AI tools, showcasing in-demand skills can give you a significant edge.
  

• The Learning Never Stops

  Continuous learning isn’t just a fancy phrase – it's your ticket to staying relevant. Platforms like LinkedIn Learning offer a myriad of courses, like AI basics, that can bolster your profile. And the best part? You can showcase these courses right on your profile, letting recruiters know you’re committed to growing and evolving.

  

  Skill Assessments are a great opportunity to test and assess your skills. Plus, LinkedIn's AI might start prioritizing people who have taken these tests.

  

• Global Networking
  Gone are the days when networking was limited to business cards and occasional coffee meetups. Expand your connections – interact with professionals who share your job title but are from different corners of the world, varied industries, and unique companies. Not only does this make your profile stand out, but it also gives you a chance to learn from diverse professionals.

How AI is Shaping the Future of Jobs

"Change is the only constant." This old adage rings particularly true today, as Artificial Intelligence (AI) continues to redefine the very fabric of our professional lives.

Let me tell you about the crystal ball gazing Ryan Roslansky, LinkedIn's CEO, did recently at the 12th annual Talent Connect event. He talked about LinkedIn’s new AI features, the strategic role of HR, and so many other interesting things. Let me share a few highlights with you.

• The DNA of Jobs is Changing
  Roslansky dropped some serious knowledge bombs during his Talent Connect talk. Gone are the days when a job was just a title. In the future? Jobs will be a cocktail of skills and tasks. Think of it as a personalized playlist of what you bring to the table.
  

• AI’s Growing Role in the Workspace
  Roslansky emphasized that as AI advances, it's not just going to sit in a corner. It’ll actively redefine job tasks. Some of what we do now might be handled by our AI pals.
  
  This doesn’t mean machines are taking over our jobs. It means the nature of these jobs is changing. For instance, routine data entry might become obsolete, but analyzing and interpreting that data? That's where human expertise shines!
  So, it’s less of a competition and more of a collaboration with AI.
  

• Continuous Learning is NOT Optional

  I am telling every job seeker about this and its importance all the time, but when the LinkedIn CEO stresses it, you know it’s big. The nature of skills is fluid. What’s hot today might not be tomorrow. And the solution? Lifelong learning. That's right – staying updated is the new job security.
  
  With AI altering job tasks, it’s no surprise that the skills required for these evolving jobs are also changing. Traditional HR systems are adapting, and learning isn’t just about that degree you earned a decade ago. Staying ahead means continuously updating your skill set. Remember, gaps emerge, but they can be filled. All you need is the commitment to learn and adapt.
  

• Human Skills in the Age of Machines
  While technical skills and AI proficiency are crucial, let’s not forget our innate human skills. Soft skills – empathy, communication, teamwork – remain at the forefront. Even in an AI-driven workspace, human-centric skills are indispensable.

A Glimpse Into the Recruiter's Dashboard

The way LinkedIn presents candidates to recruiters is undergoing a significant shift. Gone are the days of tediously sifting through countless profiles. In its place? A futuristic, AI-powered dashboard that makes talent scouting a breeze.

Imagine typing into a search bar, "Find me a senior growth marketing leader near our offices who has worked at high-growth companies." And voilà! A curated list of profiles pops up, each fitting your description. The secret sauce behind this magic?

Natural language processing (NLP). This AI tool crafts a “project”, similar to a saved search, and serves up candidates based on the given criteria.

And it doesn't end there. Let’s say a recruiter wants to narrow their search further. Typing something like, "Only include candidates open to work," ensures the AI removes any candidates without that specific tag. This process is akin to having a conversation with your computer — a smart one at that!

And there's more good news. The reimagined recruiting tool aids hiring teams in reducing the time spent hunting for the perfect candidate. According to experts like Srinivasan, it also helps uncover talent gems that might have previously gone unnoticed.

Why is all this important?

AI will be using the information you have on your profile - the keywords, phrases, and other stuff that could affect your chances. Your activity (or lack thereof) on LinkedIn can actually influence how visible you are and how easily job seekers can find you.

But remember, having the right information is only one part of the puzzle. Having a LinkedIn profile that stands out (All-star status), along with a great LinkedIn profile photo, also makes a difference.

College Degrees vs. Skills: The Balancing Act

In a world where automation and AI are rapidly evolving, the weight given to a traditional college degree is being re-evaluated. While historically, a college degree might have been the golden ticket to a promising career, today's workplace dynamics challenge this convention.

At a recent event in New York City, LinkedIn's executives had a wake-up call for recruiters. Data from workers across 63 million organizations showed an intriguing trend. The emphasis? A shift from conventional qualifications like degrees towards tangible skills and accomplishments.

During the Talent Connect Summit, LinkedIn CEO Ryan Roslansky shed light on this transformation. He highlighted that future jobs would focus more on "human and people-oriented skills" as routine tasks become automated. With AI taking over certain aspects of roles, the dynamics of the job market are bound to change.

But here's a heartening fact: 72% of American executives, as per LinkedIn's survey, still value soft skills more than hardcore AI skills. This means qualities like communication, leadership, and empathy still hold immense value in the workplace!

In this balancing act, while technical prowess and AI expertise are certainly valuable, it's the amalgamation of these with human-centric skills that will truly make a candidate stand out. And as jobs transform and redefine themselves, it's this unique combination that will likely dictate success in the evolving professional world.

LinkedIn AI wave

The future is undeniably here. As LinkedIn takes giant strides into integrating AI into its platform, both job seekers and recruiters are witnessing a monumental shift in how the job market functions. Gone are the days when a mere title could secure you the job of your dreams.

Now, it’s all about of skills you have, the continual learning you engage in, and how adaptable you are to the ever-changing dynamics of the professional landscape.

But don't let the AI-driven evolution intimidate you. Instead, view it as an exciting opportunity to take charge of your career in ways that weren’t possible before. By leveraging the AI features LinkedIn is rolling out, not only can you present yourself in the best light, but you can also get a clearer picture of what the job market values most.

Whether it's refining your profile to showcase a broader range of skills, engaging in continuous learning, or simply being more strategic in your networking, there are ample avenues to make yourself stand out.

As we stand on the cusp of this AI revolution in professional networking and recruitment, there’s one thing we can be sure of: those who embrace the change, stay informed, and adapt will thrive. The world of LinkedIn in 2024 and beyond promises a more skill-centric, dynamic, and interconnected professional ecosystem.

It's time to gear up and be a part of this exciting journey!

The Future-Proof Short Guide to Job Seeking in an AI Era

Navigating the job market? Do you feel like you're hearing "AI" everywhere you turn?

Discover the five essential strategies every job seeker must know to stay ahead, be noticed, and secure that dream position. This isn't just another advice piece – it's your roadmap to success in a rapidly evolving professional world. Curious? Let's get started!