LinkedIn research: 76% say job search has become tougher, citing competition, uncertainty about role fit and skills gaps

New research from LinkedIn, the world’s largest professional network, shows many professionals feel lost in an AI-driven hiring process. While 87% are comfortable using AI at work, many feel uncertain about how it’s being used in hiring, with 77% saying there are too many stages in the process and 66% finding it increasingly impersonal⁴. Recruiter response time and lack of feedback makes the wait even more overwhelming, leaving professionals across all generations with the same struggle: how to make their application stand out (48% agree).

The research also shows that AI has moved from a productivity aid to a confidence-builder for Indian job seekers, with 94% planning to use it in their job search and 66% saying it boosts their interview confidence⁴. Around 76% of job seekers say finding a new role has become tougher over the last year. LinkedIn data shows that applicants per open role in India have more than doubled since early 2022, intensifying competition and leaving many feeling unprepared. And it’s not just job seekers feeling the pressure. Nearly 74% of Indian recruiters say it’s become harder over the last year to find qualified talent.

This challenge is reshaping career paths. Almost a third (32%) of Gen X job seekers are considering new functions or roles, while 32% of Gen Zers are looking for roles outside their current industry. At the same time, more people are stepping outside of traditional roles and into entrepreneurship, with ‘founder’ rapidly growing on LinkedIn.

 Nirajita Banerjee, LinkedIn Career Expert and Sr. Managing Editor, LinkedIn India News, said “AI is now a foundational part of how careers are built and how talent is evaluated across India’s job market. What professionals need most is a clear understanding of how their skills translate into opportunity and how hiring decisions are actually made. When used with purpose, AI tools can bridge that gap by helping people identify the roles they’re right for, prepare with intent, and focus their learning where it matters most. That’s where LinkedIn helps job seekers and hirers meet the moment.”

This research was conducted by Censuswide in November 2025 among 19,113 respondents who work full time/part time or who are unemployed but are currently looking for a role (aged 18-79)* between November 13 and November 28, 2025, and among 6,554 global HR professionals between November 10 and November 27, 2025. Markets included the United Kingdom, United States, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Brazil, Sweden, the Netherlands, India, Singapore, Australia, and MENA (Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates). Censuswide abides by and employs members of the Market Research Society, which is based on the ESOMAR principles. Censuswide is a member of the British Polling Council.

 As competition intensifies, LinkedIn Jobs on the Rise shows which roles are growing now

To help job seekers feel better prepared for 2026, LinkedIn’s India Jobs on the Rise report highlights the fastest-growing roles over the past 3 years. This year’s list is led by Prompt Engineer (#1), AI Engineer (#2), and Software Engineer (#3), showing sustained demand for AI and tech talent. Beyond pure tech, the rankings show healthy demand across sales and brand strategy, cybersecurity, and advisory functions. At the same time, roles such as Veterinarian, Solar Consultant and Behavioural Therapist are also on the rise.

LinkedIn’s India Jobs on The Rise 2026:

1. Prompt engineer
2. AI engineer
3. Software engineer
4. Manager of Artificial Intelligence
5. Strategic advisor
6. Media buyer
7. Sales specialist
8. Behavioural therapist
9. Veterinarian
10. Solar consultant
11. Brand strategist
12. Legal specialist
13. Cyber security specialist
14. Founder
15. Director of business development

Jobs on the Rise: LinkedIn Economic Graph researchers examined millions of jobs started by LinkedIn members from January 1, 2023 to July 31, 2025 to calculate a growth rate for each job title. To be ranked, a job title needed to see positive growth across our membership base and sufficient job postings in the past year, as well as have grown to a meaningful size by 2025. Identical job titles across different seniority levels were grouped and ranked together. Internships, volunteer positions, interim roles and student roles were excluded, and jobs where hiring was dominated by a small handful of companies in each country were also excluded. Additional data points for each of the job titles are based on LinkedIn profiles of members holding the title and/or open jobs for that title in the country.

LinkedIn Career Expert tips to help people in their job search

• Take steps to navigate your job search with confidence: Go to com/jobsearchguide for actionable advice, tips for using our tools, access to free courses and more.
• Meet the moment: The job market is shifting quickly, so it’s important to get prepared and take action. Start by looking at trends in your industry and thinking about what you want in your next role. Identify the skills that will help you get there and take a few concrete steps today to build momentum and confidence.
• Get comfortable with AI in your job search: AI is shaping almost every part of the job search, from finding roles to being pre-screened by recruiters and preparing for interviews. The key is to start small. Why not try exploring LinkedIn’s job match tool to help speed up your search for the right role?
• Keep your Profile fresh: Your Profile is often the first place employers look. Make sure your skills and experience are up to date and clearly highlighted, and verify information such as workplace and identity to help build trust – this will be key in separating yourself from the competition.
• Mark your Top Choice job: If you’re a Premium subscriber, mark a job as a top choice when applying through Easy Apply to signal to recruiters you have strong interest in a job they’ve posted. Selecting Top Choice increases your likelihood of receiving a recruiter message by 43%.
• Lean on your network: Your network is a powerful resource. Engaging with posts, commenting, or reaching out directly can provide support, spark opportunities, and open doors you might not expect. Try LinkedIn’s new AI-powered people search – by searching for people in plain language – to unlock the potential of your network.
• Discover new opportunities: Explore the fastest-growing roles in LinkedIn’s Jobs on the Rise, with actionable insights to help professionals land their next role, including key skills, hiring hotspots, learning resources, links to open roles, and more.