More than half of workers globally plan to look for a new job in 2026, according to LinkedIn Research, while the number of U.S. applicants per role has doubled since spring 2022.
The competitive job market has left some candidates vulnerable to scams, prompting LinkedIn to implement new safety features for job seekers, Oscar Rodriguez, vice president of product at LinkedIn, announced Jan. 29.
“When the search gets this competitive, it can leave jobseekers feeling pressured, and sometimes taking chances they wouldn’t otherwise consider,” Rodriguez said.
Verification requirements expanded
LinkedIn now requires workplace verification for members adding recruiter job titles to their profiles. The platform has also increased visibility of verification badges on job postings to help candidates identify legitimate opportunities.
Verified members receive 60 per cent more profile views, 30 per cent more connection requests, and 19 per cent more messages from enterprise-licensed recruiters, according to LinkedIn data.
Automated scam detection implemented
The platform has deployed improved scam detection tools to identify potentially harmful content before job seekers encounter it. InMails from suspicious accounts outside a user’s network now move automatically to spam folders.
LinkedIn has also reduced visibility of automated comments, which the company says are more likely to contain harmful or low-quality content.
Enforcement actions strengthened
LinkedIn has removed pages impersonating legitimate companies and increased enforcement against repeated or harmful violations. The platform typically removes fake accounts quickly, which Rodriguez said prompts scammers to move conversations off-platform rapidly.
Job scam tactics identified
More than one-third of job scams now involve low-quality resume-writing services, according to LinkedIn. The platform has introduced AI-powered resume feedback tools to reduce reliance on third-party services.
Scammers are five times more likely to contact job seekers from outside their network compared to genuine interactions. They are also twice as likely to request moving conversations off-platform.
Rodriguez advised job seekers never to provide bank account details before the onboarding process and to avoid employers requesting encrypted software downloads for interviews or offering high pay for minimal work after single remote interviews.
The company recommends keeping all job search interactions on LinkedIn where safety tools can monitor activity. Additional resources are available at linkedin.com/jobsearchguide.
