Last week, LinkedIn launched its first AI agent, the Hiring Assistant, designed to help recruiters quickly identify candidates and spend more time on the high-value parts of the hiring process. AI is now stepping in where applicant tracking systems (ATS) and manual searches left off. Unlike traditional tools that match specific keywords or phrases, an AI agent actively learns from recruiter feedback and adapts to provide more refined candidate suggestions. This change means job seekers may need a new approach to get the most out of LinkedIn’s AI-powered features.

Until now, LinkedIn’s main tools for recruiters were manual searches and ATS filters. Recruiters would conduct keyword searches to find candidates with specific skills or experience, often sifting through hundreds of profiles to find matches. For job seekers, optimizing a LinkedIn profile to get noticed meant including job-specific keywords and using phrases from company job descriptions.

For example, if a company’s job description emphasized “strategic communication” or “project management,” including those phrases in your LinkedIn profile improved your chances of being seen. Many job seekers list specific skills or certifications that match the role, such as “Google Analytics” or “budget forecasting” for a marketing role. And in most cases, it meant fine-tuning your resume for each job application, a task that could take a serious amount of time.

LinkedIn’s new Job Assistant introduces more sophisticated matching, looking beyond exact keywords and traditional qualifications. The AI ​​agent identifies candidates through both obvious markers (such as skills listed on a profile) and more subtle indicators that suggest someone might be successful in a role, even if they don’t have the exact background that the job description specifies .

For example, the Hiring Assistant may screen candidates for a financial analyst role who don’t have direct finance experience but have strong data science analytical skills. Similarly, someone with experience in customer service might be recommended for a communications coordinator role, as both jobs require strong interpersonal and problem-solving skills. This ability to recognize transferable experience means the AI ​​agent can surface more diverse candidates, potentially widening the talent pool and making job seekers with less traditional backgrounds more visible – a thing good if you want to move into a new industry.

The hiring assistant’s adaptability is also significant in how they learn from the recruiter’s feedback. As recruiters provide feedback on which candidates are a good fit or not, the AI ​​agent refines its understanding of what a “good fit” means. Over time, this learning process will lead to more personalized candidate recommendations that reflect a recruiter’s preferences.

So what does this mean for you, the job seeker? We don’t know the details yet, but we can make some informed recommendations. Continue to optimize your resume for ATS systems. Because recruitment agencies are so new, most companies will continue to use ATS. In its announcement, LinkedIn said its hiring assistant was only made available to select customers, including AMD, Canva, Siemens and Zurich Insurance. While the list will grow, it will take time.

An AI agent gives you a better chance of finding a job in another field, so highlight those skills. Describe your achievements in terms of skills and impact rather than just specific tasks to help the AI ​​see the right potential. This is the time to explore your options, and a program like ChatGPT can help: ask what types of jobs your experience makes you a good candidate for that aren’t the typical next-step roles.

Don’t hesitate to list experience or certifications that seem only indirectly related to your main field, but could broaden your appeal. For example, coding knowledge can set you apart in a digital marketing role, even if it’s not a requirement.

LinkedIn’s AI integration is just getting started. In April 2025, LinkedIn plans to launch Wave 1 of its Talent Solutions expansion. With minimal details revealed, we know that recruiters will be able to contact candidates with AI-assisted messaging, speeding up communication between candidates and recruiters. As a job seeker, it will become increasingly important to keep your profile up to date and show that you are active in the job market.

Leslie Meredith has been writing about technology for more than a decade. As a mother of four, online value, usefulness and safety are top priorities. Do you have a question? Email Leslie at [email protected].