In 2025, nearly three in five (59%) Australian professionals will look for a new job in 2025 as they search for higher wages (49%) and a better work-life balance (36%).
However, according to new research from LinkedIn, the process is getting harder with over half of candidates have been ‘ghosted’ by companies during their job search process meaning they haven’t heard back from potential employers after reaching out.
In fact, some four in ten Australians say they have been applying for more jobs than ever before, but 57% are hearing back less.
The trend highlights growing challenges job seekers face in the current market, with two-thirds (67%) of Aussies saying they are frustrated by the job search experience, and 55% agreeing the process has become even harder over the last year.
For many, the job search has become a numbers game, and they are increasingly open to exploring new career paths.
Aussie job seekers say they apply on average for seven roles per week, and 65% are seeking opportunities outside of their current industry or role, which is up from 52% last year.
However, hirers are increasingly challenged by people applying for roles that don’t match their skills. Almost a fifth (17%) of HR professionals spend between 3 to 5 hours a day just reviewing applications, with 95% saying that most job applications received do not meet the listed criteria. LinkedIn’s new data shows that 41% of Australians don’t know how to match their skills to jobs.
LinkedIn career expert, Cayla Dengate said:“In today’s competitive job market, it’s tempting for job seekers to apply to as many roles as possible, hoping to increase their chances. However, casting a wide net often leads to disappointment and a lack of response from recruiters, rather than leading to a dream role.
“With more people looking for jobs this year, professionals should shift their approach and be more strategic in applying for roles that match their skillset, so they stand out.”
To help job seekers adapt their approach, LinkedIn is rolling out a new job match featurethat shows members how their skills and experience line up with open positions, helping them better focus their search on the opportunities where they’re more likely to hear back.
Available until March 31, 2025, LinkedIn has also unlocked free LinkedIn Learning courses to help professionals succeed in the job hunt, including Building Career Agility and Resilience in the Age of AI and Landing a Job as a Skills-First Candidate.
Dengate shared her tips to nail job searching on LinkedIn and how to stand out in 2025; “Be adaptable – it’s important to be adaptable to change and upskill in areas that are in high demand from employers,” she said.
“Do you best to match your skills to what recruiters are looking for in the job specs.
“And more than ever in today’s job market, it’s important to keep your LinkedIn profile current, as it’s often the first place that those hiring look to discover talent and learn more about candidates.
“Also, don’t forget to tap into your network,” Dengate added. “Building and nurturing connections is key to opening doors. Regularly engage with your LinkedIn network and their posts to strengthen relationships, which can lead to job opportunities.”