The professional networking platform with over 1 billion users, LinkedIn, is introducing two new AI-powered tools designed to make the job application and recruitment process more efficient.
The tools aim to address long-standing frustrations faced by job seekers and recruiters alike.
The first tool, Jobs Match, provides immediate insights to job seekers on whether a particular job posting is worth their time. With users currently submitting applications at a rate of 9,000 per minute, LinkedIn hopes this feature will help applicants navigate the overwhelming volume of competition.
For smaller businesses, LinkedIn is launching an AI-powered recruitment agent that functions like a virtual hiring manager. This tool assists in crafting job postings, identifying qualified candidates, and managing application workflows. Both tools are available for free to all users, including those without premium subscriptions.
Unlike recent LinkedIn features built using OpenAI’s generative AI technology, these tools were developed in-house using LinkedIn’s proprietary AI systems and first-party data. Rohan Rajiv, LinkedIn’s director of product management, explained in an interview that while the current tools rely on LinkedIn’s internal data, future iterations may incorporate external sources to enhance their capabilities.
LinkedIn has a history of deploying AI for connection recommendations and platform management, but these new tools mark a shift toward generative AI applications tailored for job seekers and recruiters. Previously, LinkedIn focused on AI features designed to boost user engagement, such as automated conversation starters and content creation tools.
The tools are designed to tackle persistent inefficiencies in the job market. For job seekers, filtering through thousands of job postings can be daunting, with many applications ultimately overlooked. For recruiters, especially at smaller businesses, managing applications is equally challenging.
“Recruiters are spending three to five hours a day sifting through applications, with less than half meeting the required criteria,” Rajiv said. “This is completely broken, and we know that.”
By making these AI tools accessible to all users, LinkedIn aims to enhance platform utility and engagement. Rajiv noted that the number of users actively seeking jobs has grown significantly, with 5 million users enabling the “Open to Work” feature, a 40% increase from the previous year. Additionally, 2.5 million small businesses currently use LinkedIn to recruit.
Despite its expansive user base, LinkedIn faces hurdles in retaining momentum as a recruitment platform. A recent Gartner survey highlighted inefficiencies in LinkedIn’s hiring tools, and layoffs across industries have amplified the need for accessible job-seeking resources.
By offering AI-driven solutions for free, LinkedIn hopes to attract more users while maintaining its paid recruitment services. These tools could potentially strengthen LinkedIn’s argument that it provides value at a time when its data collection practices are under scrutiny.
