A significant consequence of the COVID-19 pandemic has been its impact on the global economy. Currently, 12.6 million individuals are unemployed in the United States, while the International Labour Organization estimates that approximately 245 million full-time positions worldwide have been affected.

In response to these challenges, LinkedIn is introducing a new Career Explorer feature designed to assist individuals in their job searches. This tool, currently available in beta in English with plans for additional languages, differs from traditional job search engines. It identifies potential career paths based on a person’s existing skillset, even those they may not have previously considered, and suggests further training to enhance their qualifications.

Alongside this launch, LinkedIn is also introducing a new portal dedicated to developing digital skills, subtle profile picture “frames” to signal job-seeking or hiring status, and resources to aid in interview preparation.

These releases follow the company’s announcement of reaching 722 million members (though this figure differs from active user numbers, which are not publicly disclosed), and Microsoft’s recent earnings report indicating a 16% revenue increase for LinkedIn compared to the same quarter last year.

While specific figures are not revealed, the growth is attributed to Marketing Solutions, its advertising division, suggesting a potential need to invigorate its Talent Solutions business, which focuses on jobs and recruiting.

The Career Explorer tool is arguably the most noteworthy of these new features.

Developed with adaptability in mind, LinkedIn is utilizing its extensive data to map common career transitions, combining this with current job market demands to help individuals explore alternative employment options.

This is particularly beneficial for those facing limited opportunities in their current field, or for individuals considering a career change prompted by job loss (or the circumstances created by COVID-19).

LinkedIn provides a compelling example of how this works, noting that a food server and a customer service specialist – a currently in-demand role – share a 71% overlap in skills.

While neither is traditionally categorized as a “knowledge worker” (an interesting positioning for LinkedIn, given its historical focus on this demographic), both roles involve customer interaction. The Explorer then recommends training opportunities (available on the LinkedIn platform) to develop or refine any lacking skills.

The Career Explorer represents an advancement in LinkedIn’s broader strategy to expand its education/training (LinkedIn Learning) and recruitment/job search businesses by creating tools that integrate both aspects. Last year, the company launched a skills assessment tool with a similar purpose: tests designed to verify existing skills and identify areas for improvement for specific job roles.

Amidst the pandemic, this initiative took on a more urgent role in economic recovery, with skills training developed in collaboration with Microsoft (LinkedIn’s parent company) to address digital skill gaps in the employment market, ultimately contributing to economic rebuilding. LinkedIn reports that approximately 13 million people have utilized these tools to acquire new skills for high-demand jobs.

The intention behind these new tools is to demonstrate that despite job losses, employment opportunities still exist. LinkedIn currently lists over 14 million open positions, with nearly 40 million users visiting the site weekly to search for work, and three individuals securing employment every minute. The goal is to effectively connect people with available opportunities.

Considering that LinkedIn, with its 722 million users, has long been a central hub for professional networking and job searching – both in terms of user traffic and revenue generation – launching these tools not only enhances LinkedIn’s value as a job-search partner. It also fosters the continued evolution of its jobs business during a period that might otherwise experience stagnation. Despite the activity on LinkedIn, unemployment remains substantial and some forecasts predict further increases before improvement occurs.