Why is it hard to get a job on LinkedIn?

Getting a job through LinkedIn can be challenging for several reasons. LinkedIn has become one of the top places for companies to post jobs and for job seekers to find openings. With over 740 million members worldwide, there is a vast pool of talent on LinkedIn looking for work. This increased competition means it takes more effort to stand out and get noticed by recruiters and hiring managers.

Some key factors that make getting hired on LinkedIn difficult include:

• Stiff competition – With hundreds of applicants per job, candidates really have to showcase their skills and experience to rise above the crowd.
• Limited screening – Unlike a traditional application process, recruiters often just glance at your profile, so it must immediately grab their attention.
• Lack of personal connection – It can be hard to make an impression without chatting in person or over the phone to build rapport.
• No clear applying process – Applying for roles is inconsistent, with some postings lacking a clear way to formally submit interest.

Mastering LinkedIn’s platform and features, crafting an engaging, keyword-rich profile, expanding your network, and proactively messaging hiring managers are key to overcoming these obstacles.

Why is competition so fierce on LinkedIn?

One of the main reasons getting hired through LinkedIn is challenging is the sheer number of qualified candidates going for the same roles. With over 722 million members, LinkedIn’s massive user base translates to:

• 267 million monthly active users
• 20 million active job listings
• Over 14 million unique U.S. job listings posted per year

Additionally, LinkedIn makes it very easy for anyone to apply for jobs, often with just the click of a button. This leads to positions attracting hundreds of applicants. According to LinkedIn’s data, the average job posting receives around 250 applicants. But for top companies, application numbers can soar into the thousands.

For example, when Apple posted a software engineering role, it received over 4,000 applications in just 2 weeks. The flood of applicants makes it extremely difficult for recruiters to thoroughly evaluate each candidate. They often spend just seconds skimming a profile before deciding whether to progress someone to the next stage.

This volume of applications also allows companies to be highly selective, screening for candidates with very specialized skills and qualifications. With so many options, they can afford to only hire people who closely match their ideal candidate criteria.

Applicants per LinkedIn job posting

With such intense competition on each job ad, candidates really have to go above and beyond to distinguish themselves and capture a recruiter’s interest right off the bat. It’s no longer enough to just have a decent resume – you need to strategically optimize your LinkedIn presence to stand out.

Why are recruiters’ assessments so limited?

Because they are inundated with so many applicants, recruiters unfortunately cannot give each submission an in-depth review. They simply do not have the time or resources to thoroughly evaluate hundreds of candidates for a single role.

To cope with the volume of applications, recruiters generally take the following approaches:

• Quick profile reviews – Skim through just your profile headline, location, current position, and skills sections.
• Keyword scanning – Use LinkedIn search tools to filter for candidates with key terms from the job description in their profile.
• Automated screening – Use automated tools like LinkedIn Recruiter to rate and shortlist candidates based on profile completeness, skills, and endorsements.

Unfortunately, these techniques mean your whole profile likely won’t get considered and you could get unfairly screened out. According to LinkedIn, 85% of hiring managers admit to dismissing candidates that don’t have key buzzwords in their profile that match the job listing.

To overcome this, you really have to optimize your profile and use strategic keywords in your headline, skills, experience summaries, and endorsements so you pass through the initial scan. Visually, you want your profile to look compelling as well, with a professional photo, polished background sections, and strong recommendations.

Making the top of your profile pop gives you the best chance of catching a recruiter’s eye and having them devote those crucial extra seconds to engaging further with your application.

Average time recruiters spend screening candidates

Why is networking important on LinkedIn?

With limited screening time, it’s also vital to make personal connections with recruiters and hiring managers on LinkedIn. This helps put you on their radar so they recognize your name and face. Networking moves you from just being another faceless application to someone they have engaged with.

However, plainly applying for jobs has less opportunity for this engagement. Sending InMail messages, joining relevant groups, and connecting with company employees are ways to get personally connected. This can increase your likelihood of having your application reviewed and progressing forward.

According to LinkedIn, candidates who are referred to a role by a current employee are up to 4 times more likely to get hired than other applicants. Any way to get recognized by the right people puts you miles ahead.

Building out your network with relevant contacts in your target industry also gives you:

• Insider knowledge – Hear about openings before they are formally posted.
• Employee referrals – Get recommended by connections for openings at their companies.
• Warm introductions – Have a contact facilitate an introduction to a recruiter or hiring manager.

This interpersonal engagement creates a critical layer of personal branding and relationships that plain applying alone often lacks. Investing in networking pays dividends in getting your foot in the door.

Likelihood to get hired with an employee referral

How can you enhance your LinkedIn presence?

To overcome LinkedIn’s competitive hiring landscape, you need to take steps to enhance your presence and catch a recruiter’s attention. Here are key ways to optimize your profile and leverage connections:

Profile Optimization

• Include a professional headshot and background photo
• Write a compelling, keyword-rich headline and summary
• Showcase key skills, certifications, and volunteer work
• Tailor experience descriptions using power words
• Publish relevant articles and content
• Get endorsements and recommendations
• Ensure your profile is 100% complete

This polish makes your profile engaging and informative, showcasing your fit for roles in your target field.

Relationship Building

• Proactively connect with key players at target companies
• Join relevant industry and alumni groups
• Actively engage in conversations and establish expertise
• Follow target company pages for insider news
• Attend online events and conferences
• Send thoughtful InMail messages to introduce yourself
• Request informational interviews

Nurturing your network leads to critical exposure, referrals, and insider opportunities.

Should you enhance your profile with premium features?

LinkedIn offers several premium features as part of its paid Job Seeker subscription that can further enhance your presence and competitiveness. Key benefits include:

• Profile boosts – Pay to have your profile prominently displayed to recruiters more often.
• InMail messages – Directly contact any user, even if you’re not connected.
• Candidate insights – See how you compare to other applicants and get tips to improve.
• Interview prep – Access an inside look at a company’s interview practices and culture.
• Job post insights – See real-time data on roles such as applicant numbers and industry demand.

These perks provide an added edge, especially with contacting coveted recruiters and researching target roles. However, at around $30 a month, it’s a significant investment. The free account options can still get you very far if leveraged strategically. But for some job seekers, premium access may be worth the price.

Evaluating the cost versus expected return for your needs is something to assess. If you can afford it, premium can tip the scales when used proactively. But it is still ultimately your core profile content, networking activity, and interview performance that matter most.

What alternatives should you consider?

While LinkedIn is a top destination for online job hunting, it shouldn’t be your only approach. Diversifying your job search across multiple platforms and avenues can help improve your chances, especially when LinkedIn competition is fierce.

Some alternative job search strategies to consider include:

• Watch company career sites directly for openings
• Attend local job fairs and networking events
• Leverage your school’s alumni network and career center
• Connect with recruiters on sites like Indeed and Glassdoor
• Check listings on niche industry job boards
• Join relevant professional associations
• Follow companies on social media for opportunities
• Consider freelance work to build experience
• Connect with staffing agencies and recruiters in your field

Diversifying like this ensures you have a multifaceted approach for your search. You can strengthen your candidacy by showcasing different aspects of your background across these channels.

While challenging, getting a job through LinkedIn is certainly possible with persistence and the right strategy tailored to cut through the noise. Don’t get discouraged if it takes time. With the right preparation and approach, you can land the right fit.

Conclusion

Competing for jobs on LinkedIn comes with stiff challenges. With hundreds of candidates per role, limited screening time, and lack of personal connections, it can be hard to stand out. But by taking steps to optimize your profile, build relationships, and diversify your search, landing a job is achievable. Play to LinkedIn’s strengths while also expanding beyond it and leveraging all connections at your disposal. With a strategic, proactive approach, your next position is within reach.