LOUISVILLE, Ky. — LinkedIn recently launched a new feature that helps job seekers identify in-demand skills and apply for jobs.

What You Need To Know


  • New mini-site helps job seekers apply for jobs, identify skills

  • Goal is to get people back to work amid pandemic, economic crisis

  • Includes three-step process

“I’m really glad to see them roll something like this out because obviously with the pandemic, a lot of people have been furloughed, been laid off, or their companies have gone out of business,” said Dave Hatter, a cybersecurity consultant with IntrustIT. “The timing is really excellent for folks who are looking for a job.”

The goal of Opportunity, the mini-site, is to get more people back to work faster. LinkedIn said, “We’re excited to launch a global skills initiative aimed at bringing more digital skills to 25 million people worldwide by the end of this year. Our goal is to help those who have become unemployed due to the COVID-19 pandemic and resulting economic crisis get the skills they need to land their next job. By giving free access to the skills and training that job seekers need to get jobs, we hope to do our part and help connect job seekers around the globe to new opportunities.”

The new site will guide people through the three-step process. The first step takes people to a listing of the most in-demand skills, based on insights from LinkedIn’s 690 million members, 50 million companies and 11 million job listings. 

Step two is to search and apply for jobs. The third step is to prepare for interviews. LinkedIn provides information and best practices to help applicants do their best in interviews. 

Hatter thinks it will be very helpful and worth it for job seekers to check out for themselves. He wants to warn people who are on the hunt for a new job to be wary of scammers who look to try and take advantage of those who are out of work.

"The FBI has been warning for some time as has the Better Business Bureau of job-related scams particularly in light of the COVID-19 pandemic.”

Hatter advises job seekers to do their research when they spot a posting. Legitimate sites might have job posts that scammers set up to steal someone’s money or sensitive information.

“I just want to warn people, while I think this new LinkedIn feature is great and hopefully will help a lot of folks,” said Hatter. "Just be really careful and do your homework before you submit any sensitive information to anyone. Make sure it is a legitimate company and that the job is legit."