Editor’s Note
New data highlights a tightening labor market where both job seekers and recruiters face heightened challenges, with competition intensifying on both sides of the hiring process.
LinkedIn data shows US applicants per open role have doubled since the spring of 2022.
Nearly two-thirds (65%) of people say finding a job has become more challenging, citing competition as the main hurdle, followed by uncertainty about whether they’re a fit for a role and skills gaps.
Recruiters have fewer open roles to fill and face higher stakes: two-thirds (66%) of recruiters say it’s become harder to find qualified talent over the last year, as they face growing pressure to fill roles faster (42%) and uncover ‘hidden gem’ candidates (39%).
93% of recruiters say they plan to increase their use of AI in 2026, and 59% say it’s already helping them discover candidates with skills they wouldn’t have found before.
Two-thirds of recruiters (66%) plan to increase their use of AI for pre-screening interviews in 2026, which 70% believe will help them have more valuable conversations with candidates.
81% of people have or say they plan to use AI in their job search and nearly half (48%) say AI tools boost their interview confidence.
For professionals:
Take steps to navigate your job search with confidence, including actionable advice, tips for using our tools, access to free courses and more.
With AI-powered people search, type what you’re looking for in plain language and LinkedIn will surface relevant people, unlocking the potential of the world’s largest professional network.
Additionally, verifying certain information that’s displayed on your Profile is a great way to help build trust and credibility. Verified members get 60% more Profile views and 30% more connection requests, and have a higher chance of hearing back in the job search.
Those looking to explore new opportunities can look to LinkedIn’s annual Jobs on the Rise ranking of the fastest-growing jobs, which includes insights on key skills and learning resources to gain those skills, hiring hotspots, and links to open jobs.
For businesses:
Small businesses can find and connect with qualified candidates faster using LinkedIn Hiring Pro, an AI agent that helps hirers identify, shortlist, and reach out to the most relevant talent. Nearly 60% of hirers find a candidate to interview within the first week, and those who report time savings see an average of 6+ hours saved weekly.
Recruiters can uncover hidden gem candidates and save hours per role with Hiring Assistant, LinkedIn’s AI agent for recruiters. Companies like AMD, Aurecon, Chewy, Expedia Group, Fabletics, Insite, Jacobs, Siemens, Wipro, and more are using it to uncover qualified talent faster. Early adopters are saving 4+ hours per role, reviewing 62% fewer profiles, and seeing a 69% improvement in InMail acceptance rates.