LinkedIn introduced its Job Match feature in French on September 10. This tool helps job seekers understand how well their profile aligns with the requirements of a job posting, even before they apply. It provides a matching score and a slider that shows the level of alignment, from low to high. When users click on "afficher les détails de correspondance de votre profil" ("show profile match details"), they see a breakdown of the criteria they already meet, skills to highlight, and areas where their profile may fall short compared to the employer's expectations. Jill Raines, head of employment search experiences at LinkedIn, explained that the feature aims to reduce the time job seekers spend reviewing each posting, as companies often present job requirements in different ways. This tool complements LinkedIn’s natural language search feature, which was launched in April. Premium subscribers can access an additional feature called "Top Applicants," which shows whether their profile ranks among the top 10% of candidates for a given job. LinkedIn reported that users with this feature apply 7% less to low-matching job postings and 22% more to those where their profile strongly aligns with the job. The feature is designed to discourage job seekers from applying to every posting they find, which can be inefficient. In France, hiring activity remains about 31% below the levels seen in January 2019, and the hiring rate for early-career candidates has dropped by 19.2% year-on-year in July. The number of applications per job posting has nearly doubled since 2022, yet 41% of candidates receive no response after applying. Recruiters also report that 73% of the applications they receive do not meet the advertised criteria. Jill Raines highlighted the challenges job seekers face in a competitive market, noting that many feel they have to apply to numerous jobs just to get a response. This trend is further fueled by generative AI tools, which can help applicants create resumes and cover letters but do not necessarily improve their chances of getting hired. Job seekers often begin looking for new opportunities six to eight months before making a career move, and some start researching job postings up to a year in advance. Despite the introduction of Job Match, users are still free to apply to any job posting, even if it has a low matching score. However, they are gently encouraged to consider more suitable options. If a candidate has all the required skills for a job, they are still advised to tailor their resume and cover letter to the specific position. LinkedIn has addressed concerns about potential AI biases, stating that reliability is crucial in job searching and that they regularly test and improve their tools. The company has used AI in hiring-related functions for over a decade and continues to refine its safeguards. The data used to calculate matching scores—such as a user's profile, interactions, and publications—remain on the candidate’s side and are not shared with recruiters. LinkedIn emphasized that it follows its own principles for responsible AI use. The Job Match feature is initially available to Premium subscribers in France, with plans to gradually expand access to all members.