“How do I search job” is one of the top on Google search. Who knows when the normal will return, or the new normal will be the only reality in the future. LinkedIn can help in your job search strategy.

Like it or not, pandemic has disrupted the equilibrium in the global job market too. Particularly, Canadian Immigrants can use LinkedIn for Job Search, but how? 

I find similarity between real estate market and the job market. If market is hot, everything sells. But in the current scenario, job market is uncertain. Job seekers have outnumbered the opportunities. There is a general agreement that current job market is perhaps worst then 1930’s economic depression. If this continues few more months, 2021 can be a very different year for the job seekers!

In Canada, immigration numbers have dropped by 64% compared to similar period last time. Job loss numbers are appalling. RBC Economics reported that in April 2020, women workforce dropped by 55%, worst since 1980.

In the US, whatever was gained between 2010-2019, is almost wiped-out. US job market currently stands at 11.1% jobless rate.

Economists are not positive about quick of what is called a V-shaped recovery. As the period of uncertainty extends, there is lesser hope for a quick recovery.

Let’s accept that there is a new normal. Consider it the situation that will remain there in foreseeable future. Accept that we cannot escape form what is out there. The only option is to face it and learn to deal with it.

The Process of Reinventing:

One of the basic strategy in the new normal is to reinvent yourself. Reinvention comes in many types and shapes. Some would change their industry, some would learn a new tool, some would build their skills to do more and better.

The process of reinventing starts with building an inventory of your existing skills. It is difficult to forget what you had been doing in the past, but while reinventing, past experience has lesser value, your skills to deliver would have a bigger weightage.

Job Search Starting Point:

In the new normal, what will be your new starting point?

Would you need a new resume, would you invest in getting your LinkedIn Profile optimized, or invest in a career coaching session?

These are some essential decisions to be made to move forward. Answers to these very important question will take you to the next step called goalsetting.

The Process:

Now that you have a starting point and the goal, you need to work on the process of moving from your starting point towards achieving your goal.

Action points, expected results and milestones.

What should be your priority?

While developing a strategy, if you consider things that are not in your control, the strategy will fail. Ideally, concentrate efforts that you can influence. Another point is to avoid jumping too far or too high, even baby steps taken in a strategic manner are considered good progress.

Define your priority based on your resources such as finances, skills, time etc. If you can afford to learn a new skill, go to a college or training center. If your resume or LinkedIn profile sucks, get it fixed.

LinkedIn will be the King for Job Seekers:

Because that’s where the action is. With over 50 million companies and over 660 million users, LinkedIn is the most powerful platform to network professionally and to gain access to some interesting career opportunities are not otherwise advertised.

Reason is simple, LinkedIn has created some excellent tools for recruiters such as LinkedIn Recruiter. It is a platform making recruiters’ life easier with its intelligent filters that work with LinkedIn’s algorithm. LinkedIn users with active and optimized profiles have better chances of appearing in searches.

Forbes recently shared views from a select panel of 14 experts from Forbes Coaches Council about the role of Artificial Intelligence in job search and recruiting industry. They all are of the view that Artificial Intelligence is becoming the industry norm.

At all levels, AI will be the new normal in hiring process. Analyzing job market competitiveness, to candidate selection and virtual interview or tests, AI is already taking the lead.

LinkedIn is changing to meet the market demand. Integrating Artificial Intelligence in to its algorithm for executive hiring, identifying cultural fit, social media profiling etc will provide new dimensions to recruitment industry.

Artificial Intelligence at LinkedIn is integrated to do the match making of a query run by a user, to match as narrowly as possible the user profiles, jobs or contents. LinkedIn uses a set of relevance metrics.

User feeds, content, comments and all other actions go through the AI sorting mechanism. What we see on our screen, is all what AI think is relevant for us. All that is done with a simple focus, the relevance.

As Artificial Intelligence takes a bigger role in this process, LinkedIn profile optimization and targeted content strategy will increase its value as the shortest and the most effective way to tap into recruiters search!

How many times a common user considers these facts?

I would say, hardly. However, those who have optimized profiles, standout among the ever growing LinkedIn’ user-base, they stand better chances in meeting their career goals, rest are irrelevant!