LinkedIn continues to grow its offerings and capabilities, dominating other job search and career-building sites. As more and more professionals join the LinkedIn community to connect with others, it’s become the ultimate networking platform for both employees and employers.
Many job seekers use LinkedIn to research new opportunities and companies as they consider the best path to further their careers. Here, 14 members of Forbes Coaches Council explore trends they predict will impact LinkedIn users this year and what job seekers can do to prepare for them.
Forbes Coaches Council members discuss LinkedIn trends that job seekers should prepare for this year.
Photos courtesy of the individual members.1. LinkedIn Changing Into A Regular Social Media Platform
LinkedIn is changing from a professional networking platform to a regular social media platform. Work-life integration and soft skills have become new trends. Recording and posting real-life, fun activities with colleagues could be a new theme when all people return to work. Feeling comfortable while being recorded could be something the job seekers can prepare for. - Aina Alive, Bee Agile
2. LinkedIn Moving Into A Publishing Space
LinkedIn will keep its position as the platform for professional connections. Nowadays, LinkedIn matches companies with employees. I think it is gradually moving into a publishing space with articles and newsletters. Eventually, users will be able to sell products (such as digital books), feature videos, start podcasts and use audio and streaming as earning channels. - Tania Tome, Ecokaya
3. Company Leaders Getting Social On LinkedIn
More company leaders will start to get truly social on LinkedIn. Serious, career-minded professionals should start forming relationships with potential target companies’ leadership. Hiring through one’s known network is a great way for a business to reduce recruiting costs. So your presence and engagement combined with their recruiting needs can put you in the right place at the right time. - Tyron Giuliani, Selling Made Social
4. Using AI To Make Professional Connections
An increasing number of people use artificial intelligence on LinkedIn to make connections. Your ability to connect with a leader in the organization you’d like to work for might be jeopardized, as they’re getting 30 to 50 connection requests a day, which can feel overwhelming to them. Do your homework before sending a connection request to stand out from the crowd. Connect with others’ cares in mind, not just yours. - Christine Rose, CEOAccel
Forbes Coaches Council is an invitation-only community for leading business and career coaches. Do I qualify?
5. Giving Both An Emotional Experience And Factual Data
Beyond the technical trends, there continues to be relevancy and trending priority in developing compelling and data-driven human stories where customers realize the alignment, purpose and quality of a particular product or service. Giving them both an emotional experience and factual data to drive home the story is significant for competitive advantage, customer experience and ROI. - Lori Harris, Harris Whitesell Consulting
6. Personal Branding On LinkedIn
Overzealous personal branding on LinkedIn would impact users’ authentic personal influence on the platform. Many individuals think that putting their best foot forward on LinkedIn or writing stories about their achievements adds to their brand, but if you are the only one sounding your horn, it comes across as inauthentic. Rather, find others who can validate your skills and achievements. - Jedidiah Alex Koh, Coaching Changes Lives
7. LinkedIn Getting More Cluttered
LinkedIn is getting more cluttered—you have to stand out! LinkedIn is growing fast in terms of new users, content posts and engagements. This is great, but it makes it more competitive. The difference between a strong LinkedIn profile and a weak one isn’t about your accomplishments. It is about taking time to master the platform. Invest more in a great profile and content that cuts through the noise. - Krista Neher, Boot Camp Digital
8. Striving For Integrated Connectedness
Integrated connectedness is what people are striving for. Thus, a single platform must be able to connect with others in multiple media formats and create spaces for different objectives, both professional and therapeutic. As a job seeker, know that the hybrid format of work and lifestyle spaces creates both fluidity and greater accountability for self-growth, discipline and commitment. - Arthi Rabikrisson, Prerna Advisory
9. Submitting Video Résumés
Video résumé submission would be an ideal next step LinkedIn could adopt to distinguish itself from the competition. Job seekers should prepare to be comfortable speaking before a camera and presenting as well. - Abraham Khoureis, Dr. Abraham Khoureis
10. Becoming A More Personal Platform
LinkedIn continues to be the most democratic place for branding and thought leadership, which is a boon for job seekers. The thing to watch this year won’t be changes to the platform but changes to how people use the platform. More personal stories are going viral, reflecting the “bring your whole self to work” movement. Keep it professional, but keep it real. - Randi Braun, Something Major
11. Using AI And Machine Learning To Find Talent
Organizations will continue to use AI and machine learning to find talent. Job seekers will increasingly need a compelling personal digital brand optimized on LinkedIn so that the algorithms can find the profile and categorize the same as the top talent in their industry. - Richard Chiumento, The Rialto Consultancy
12. Building Solid Positioning And Brand Authority
LinkedIn is currently one of the most powerful, engaging and active resources where companies, job seekers and prospects can connect, network and build initial rapport. One trend with the highest impact is an opportunity to build solid positioning and brand authority to stand out from the competition in real time by publishing articles and videos and optimizing your profile and Sales Navigator strategy. - Asha Mankowska MA, Your Favorite Business Coach & Consultant
13. Posting Videos And Updating Bios In Real Time
One of the things I think will become much more prevalent on LinkedIn are video posts. Along with that, people will begin updating their bios more in real time with up-to-date descriptions and information about themselves. It will become very important for employers to stay up to date on LinkedIn to catch potential fits for their company. - Jon Dwoskin, The Jon Dwoskin Experience
14. Implementing A Hidden Job Market Strategy
Implementing a hidden job market strategy is imperative for a successful career transition. Hiring managers are flooded with connection requests. Use the tool that LinkedIn is, as it is very powerful, but also evolve your other job search skills with traditional methods of networking to increase your opportunities. Networking is about relationships, introductions and a “how may I help you” approach. - Gayle Draper, Intentional Careers and Human Resources
