While LinkedIn dominates as the most popular social media site for both job seekers and companies to find networking opportunities and build professional connections, new trends constantly emerge, and the role of the platform is always evolving. To make the most of their LinkedIn presence, users on both sides of the recruiting equation need to stay aware of these trends and know how to leverage them.
For job seekers, tapping into these trends can get you noticed before the rest of the crowd—and in a saturated market, that could mean the difference between landing a job or losing out to other candidates. For recruiters, staying up on trends will help maximize the number of qualified candidates you have access to, which affords a breadth of options.
To find out how job seekers and recruiters can prepare to make the most of them, we asked 11 members of Forbes Coaches Council for their predictions around up-and-coming LinkedIn trends. Here's what they told us.
Forbes Coaches Council members share their best advice on leveraging emerging LinkedIn trends.
Photos courtesy of the individual members.1. Moving Toward Online Training And Certification
LinkedIn is making its move toward distance education and online training, offering fresh courses such as digital marketing and social media management. Plus, it gives the opportunity to update your new achievement in your profile and connect with people with the same qualifications. Its variety is extensible, and soon enough, LinkedIn will compete with colossal certification organizations. - Jill Douka MBA, MCC, Global Academy Of Coaching
2. Including A Virtual Meeting Space
I predict the emergence of LinkedIn merging with some type of virtual meeting space, such as Microsoft Teams or Zoom. If a recruiter could effectively advertise and communicate within the same resource, that would be efficient! Imagine the ease of communication, and then sprinkle in recorded résumés—now that would be fantastic! - Dr. Teresa Ray, PCC, Dr. Teresa Ray
3. Integrating Further With Microsoft Products
LinkedIn is already trying to become the be-all when it comes to recruitment, sales and networking platforms. The value of LinkedIn is the data in the members' files. Look for parent company Microsoft to add value to the platform through further integration with the company's other solutions, namely its CRM platforms (lead generation), Microsoft Word (résumé development) and other tools. - Scott Singer, Insider Career Strategies
Forbes Coaches Council is an invitation-only community for leading business and career coaches. Do I qualify?
4. Increasing Group Hosting Capabilities
As people move away from Facebook for a variety of reasons, LinkedIn has the opportunity to replace one thing Facebook does well: hosting groups. This will be a great alternative for existing business teams and for creating new pools of talent, especially with virtual public learning offerings. We can all prepare by engaging more deeply with the group connection aspects of LinkedIn, not just one to one. - Erin Rocchio, Erin Rocchio Consulting, Inc.
5. Seeing A Rise In Prospecting
LinkedIn will start seeing a rise in prospecting as people begin to use it more than ever before. Consumers will start to use it to start and grow new businesses. The platform will become a hub for job seekers, those affected by COVID-19 and otherwise. To prepare, recruiters need to have a dedicated system for finding the best talent, and job seekers need to ensure their profiles are up to date. - Jon Dwoskin, The Jon Dwoskin Experience
6. Facilitating More Personal Introductions
In addition to submitting an online application, candidates will be able to attach a video cover letter to create a more personal introduction. In preparation for this, get clarity on your story: Who are you? What are your strengths? What do you bring to the team? What are you seeking in a transition? Be able to articulate this in five to seven minutes as your new virtual elevator pitch. - Shelli Hendricks, Blue Horizon Solutions
7. Becoming A Unique Source Of Candidates
My crystal ball says that, within five years, companies won't seek applications online; they will just source directly from LinkedIn. They will find the candidates based on algorithmic searching and AI and decide which ones they want to talk to. Candidates should prepare now in two ways: First, make sure your profile has relevant words, and then, learn networking for job search to reach the hiring team. - Dana Manciagli, Job Search Master Class
8. Expediting Social And Professional Proofing
Social and professional proofing will begin to carry greater weight as professionals want to know "who is endorsing this individual." With this, LinkedIn recommendations will begin to become more of a focal point. Recruiters and job seekers can prepare by tailoring their current functions to incorporate (review, consider, rank, track, etc.) recommendations. - Corey Castillo, Truth & Spears
9. Adding Different Candidate Interview Options
Ask any professional, executive or technical recruiter, and they'll tell you that LinkedIn's Recruiter platform is one of their top sources for candidates. This is because the tool makes finding and contacting candidates almost effortless. I foresee LinkedIn expanding the platform with features such as video profiles, audio introductions and even digital interviewing enhancements. - Cheryl Czach, Cheryl Czach Coaching and Consulting, LLC
10. Providing More Creative Ways To Enhance Profiles
I predict LinkedIn will provide more creative ways for job seekers to upgrade or enhance their profiles. The platform has added name pronunciation and "open to work" coding already. Don't be surprised if LinkedIn offers paid, premium à-la-carte options in the future. This would definitely be a revenue driver for the company, while also offering a good free product. - Karan Rhodes, Shockingly Different Leadership
11. Replacing The Need For Traditional Résumés
A résumé? What’s that? Something from the days of cassette tapes! When hiring, I trust what you decide to make public on LinkedIn more than what you may have “customized” or exaggerated on your résumé just for my eyes. LinkedIn is dynamic—with connections and public endorsements, it offers a degree of external validation that résumés don’t. - Chuck Ainsworth, AIIR Consulting & Pilgrimage Professional Development
