LinkedIn launches AI tools to simplify job search, recruitment

• Published On: 15 January 2025 at 18:49

LinkedIn, the professional networking platform with over 1 billion users, is introducing two new AI-powered tools to streamline the job application and recruitment process.

The tools are intended to address long-standing frustrations shared by job seekers and recruiters.

The first tool, Jobs Match, gives job seekers immediate feedback on whether a specific job posting is worth their time. With users submitting applications at a rate of 9,000 per minute, LinkedIn hopes that this feature will assist applicants in navigating the overwhelming volume of competition.

LinkedIn is launching an AI-powered recruitment agent that will function as a virtual hiring manager for small businesses. This tool helps you create job postings, identify qualified candidates, and manage application workflows. Both tools are free for all users, even those without premium subscriptions.

Unlike recent LinkedIn features that utilised OpenAI's generative AI technology, these tools were created 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 internal data, future iterations may include external sources to improve their capabilities.

LinkedIn has previously used AI for connection recommendations and platform management, but these new tools represent a shift towards generative AI applications designed for job seekers and recruiters. Previously, LinkedIn focused on AI features that increased user engagement, such as automated conversation starters and content creation tools.

The tools are intended to address persistent inefficiencies in the job market. Filtering through thousands of job postings can be overwhelming for job seekers, and many applications are ultimately rejected. Managing applications is also difficult for recruiters, particularly in smaller businesses.

"Recruiters are spending three to five hours a day sifting through applications, with less than half meeting the required criteria," Rajiv informed me. "This is completely broken, and we know that."

By making these AI tools available to all users, LinkedIn hopes to improve platform utility and engagement. Rajiv stated that the number of users actively seeking jobs has increased significantly, with 5 million users enabling the "Open to Work" feature, a 40% increase over the previous year. In addition, 2.5 million small businesses use LinkedIn to recruit.

Despite its large user base, LinkedIn faces challenges in maintaining momentum as a recruitment platform. A recent Gartner survey found inefficiencies in LinkedIn's hiring tools, and layoffs across industries have increased the demand for easily accessible job-seeking resources.

By providing AI-powered solutions for free, LinkedIn hopes to attract more users while maintaining its paid recruitment services. These tools could help LinkedIn's case that it provides value at a time when its data collection practices are being scrutinised.