This is the biggest job search hack I’ve ever discovered!
STOP USING LINKEDIN TO FIND A JOB.
Do you people not understand that finding a job on LinkedIn is a lottery at this point.
1 billion people use LinkedIn, half are looking to network the other half looking for a job.
Besides the website is full of ghost jobs that companies will never fill.
It’s good to network and find recruiters or roles of people in your network. Blindly applying for jobs on there is a waste of time.
Do this instead, google all of your local companies, save them on a spreadsheet and go directly to their website and apply. The easier it is to apply, the more applicants will be submitted.
I still think LinkedIn is a great tool for many things, but at this point job hunting on there is almost fruitless.
Jobadvisor
No, LinkedIn is generally not considered the most effective way to find a job in 2025 if you are relying solely on its public job board for applications. While it remains a powerful tool for networking and professional visibility, applying for jobs directly on LinkedIn is increasingly inefficient due to high competition, a significant number of "ghost jobs" (18%-22% of postings), and low response rates.
The text emphasizes that for job hunting in 2025, it's more effective to:
- Apply directly on company websites: This helps avoid high competition and ghost listings.
- Prioritize networking and referrals: Up to 70-85% of jobs are filled this way.
- Engage with recruiters strategically: Build genuine relationships rather than sending mass applications.
In summary, while LinkedIn is excellent for networking and building your professional brand, it's best to supplement or prioritize alternative job search tactics over mass-applying on its public job board.
Jobadvisor
Is LinkedIn Still Effective for Job Hunting in 2025?
LinkedIn remains the world’s largest professional network, with over 1 billion users and a robust ecosystem for networking, learning, and job searching12. However, the effectiveness of using LinkedIn for job applications—especially through its public job board—has become increasingly debated.
The Reality of LinkedIn Job Applications
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High Competition: With millions of active users, job postings on LinkedIn often attract hundreds or thousands of applicants, making it difficult to stand out by simply submitting a resume12.
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Prevalence of Ghost Jobs: A significant portion (18%–22%) of job postings on platforms like LinkedIn are so-called "ghost jobs," meaning companies have no real intention to fill these roles. In the U.S. alone, over 1.6 million potential ghost jobs were identified on LinkedIn in a recent analysis3.
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Low Response Rates: Many job seekers report frustration with unresponsive recruiters and limited feedback after applying, especially when relying solely on cold applications or generic outreach4.
Where LinkedIn Excels
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Networking and Visibility: LinkedIn’s true power lies in networking and personal branding. Recruiters are more likely to engage with candidates who come recommended or who have a strong, active presence on the platform25.
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Industry-Specific Success: LinkedIn is particularly effective in fields like technology, finance, marketing, and professional services, where recruiters actively source candidates2.
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Mid-Career Professionals: Those with established networks and experience tend to see the most benefit. Recent graduates and entry-level candidates face tougher odds due to competition with seasoned professionals2.
Alternative Strategies: Direct Outreach and Networking
Many experts now recommend supplementing or even prioritizing alternative job search tactics over mass-applying on LinkedIn:
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Direct Company Applications: Researching local companies, tracking them in a spreadsheet, and applying directly on their websites can help you avoid the competition and ghost listings prevalent on large job boards.
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Networking and Referrals: Up to 70–85% of jobs are filled through networking and referrals, not public postings. Building relationships, seeking referrals, and leveraging your connections—both online and offline—are often more effective than cold applications5.
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Engaging with Recruiters: Use LinkedIn to find and connect with recruiters, but focus on building genuine relationships rather than sending mass messages or applications15.
Summary Table: LinkedIn vs. Direct Outreach
| Method | Pros | Cons | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| LinkedIn Job Board | Large volume of postings, global reach, AI matching | High competition, ghost jobs, low response rates | Mid-career, tech/finance roles |
| Direct Company Sites | Lower competition, more genuine openings | Time-consuming, less centralized | All career levels |
| Networking/Referrals | Access to hidden job market, higher success rates | Requires effort to build and maintain relationships | All career levels |
Conclusion
LinkedIn is still a powerful tool for professional networking, learning, and visibility. However, relying solely on its job board for applications is increasingly inefficient due to competition and ghost postings. Combining LinkedIn networking with direct outreach to companies and leveraging personal referrals remains the most effective job search strategy in 2025235.
Citations:
- https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/linkedin-2025-ultimate-platform-professionals-job-seekers-rajni-devi-hazaf
- https://www.resufit.com/blog/is-linkedin-a-good-place-to-find-a-job-a-data-driven-analysis/
- https://www.marketbeat.com/articles/more-soul-crushing-than-ever-popular-hiring-platform-finds-around-20-of-its-postings-were-ghost-jobs-2025-01-13
- https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/decoding-linkedin-job-hunting-challenges-realities-omar-7yz8f
- https://www.cobloom.com/careers-blog/best-ways-to-find-a-job
- https://www.reddit.com/r/jobsearchhacks/comments/1k4oqcq/three_reasons_why_applying_directly_on_the/
- https://www.selectrecruiting.net/post/how-to-find-a-job-without-using-linkedin
- https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/finding-a-job/how-to-apply-job-online
- https://www.sparkhire.com/learn/candidate-experience/promote-job-applications/
- https://www.eurekapg.com/the-direct-approach-personalizing-your-job-application
- https://resumeworded.com/blog/is-it-better-to-apply-on-indeed-or-company-website/
- https://www.intelligenthq.com/unlocking-opportunities-how-to-find-jobs-from-linkedin-in-2025/
- https://www.halpinservices.com/2025/01/15/3-ways-to-look-for-a-job-in-2025/
- https://www.pauwelsconsulting.com/insights/career-advice/ten-benefits-of-applying-directly-on-an-employer-s-own-website
- https://www.recruiter.com/recruiting/enhancing-your-website-to-benefit-recruitment-3-tips/
- https://www.designgurus.io/blog/job-hunting-in-2024-is-linkedins-open-to-work-badge-your-secret-weapon
- https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/job-seekers-linkedin-should-learn-10-facts-2025-micah-ocran-kun3f
- https://aiapply.co/blog/is-linkedin-worth-it
- https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/why-does-job-searching-feel-so-much-harder-2025-dorothy-mashburn-x3hjc
- https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/job-search-strategies-2025-beyond-how-stay-ahead-new-market-miller-r98sc
- https://micheal.dev/blog/getting-hired-in-2025/
- https://www.forbes.com/sites/hvmacarthur/2024/12/19/strategies-for-job-seekers-best-practices-for-a-strategic-job-hunt/
- https://www.reddit.com/r/careerguidance/comments/kukqzm/how_do_you_apply_to_jobs_do_you_use_websites_like/
- https://www.thebalancemoney.com/finding-jobs-at-company-websites-2060028
- https://www.assessfirst.com/en/create-an-effective-career-site/
- https://www.themuse.com/advice/how-to-apply-for-a-job-online
- https://texta.ai/blog/linkedin/unlocking-the-key-to-success-achieving-a-high-success-rate-in-linkedin-recruiter-searches
- https://citypersonnel.net/job-search-tools-you-should-be-using-in-2025/
- https://www.tealhq.com/post/non-traditional-job-search
Answer from Perplexity: pplx.ai/share