LinkedIn reveals new job-matching tool for Australians

LinkedIn has unveiled new research outlining the challenges faced by Australian job seekers and a new job-matching feature designed to aid in the application process.

The data indicates that 59% of Australians plan to look for new employment opportunities in 2025. However, many are encountering difficulties in the process. Some 51% report being "ghosted" by potential employers, meaning they have not received responses to their applications.

The research highlights that the job search experience has become more arduous, with 55% of respondents noting an increase in difficulty over the past year. A significant proportion of job seekers are feeling disheartened, with 67% expressing frustration at the current state of the job market.

Key drivers for professionals seeking new roles include the quest for higher wages, cited by 49% of respondents, and a better work-life balance, which is driving 36% to search for alternative employment.

Facing these challenges, many job seekers are broadening their search parameters. Australians are applying for an average of seven jobs each week, and 65% are exploring opportunities outside their current industries or roles, up from 52% in the previous year.

Recruitment professionals are also experiencing difficulties, with many applicants not meeting job criteria. Nearly 17% of human resources professionals spend between three to five hours daily reviewing applications, and 95% report that most applications do not match the listed requirements.

Cayla Dengate, LinkedIn Career Expert, commented, "In today's competitive job market, it's tempting for job seekers to apply to as many roles as possible, hoping to increase their chances. However, casting a wide net often leads to disappointment and a lack of response from recruiters, rather than leading to a dream role." She advises job seekers to pursue roles that align more closely with their skills.

To address these challenges, LinkedIn is launching a job match feature that will assist users in aligning their skills and experience with job opportunities. This feature seeks to help users focus their job searches on roles where they are more likely to receive a response.

In addition, LinkedIn has made free LinkedIn Learning courses available to aid professionals in their job search. These courses include "Building Career Agility and Resilience in the Age of AI" and "Landing a Job as a Skills-First Candidate," and will be accessible without charge until the end of March 2025.

Dengate offers several tips for standing out in the job market during 2025, starting with adaptability and the importance of matching skills to roles. She stresses the value of maintaining an up-to-date LinkedIn profile and suggests that building one's network can lead to new opportunities. Lastly, she recommends looking at LinkedIn's "Jobs on the Rise" for information on in-demand roles and skills.