By Jeff Altman, Big Game Hunter
EP 3111 Recent changes in LinkedIn have rendered the old way of writing your profile worthless.
Okay, let’s get started. Do you feel like you’re just yelling into the void on LinkedIn lately? Well, I’m here to tell you that you’re not imagining it. The game has completely changed.
In this explanation, we’ll break down what’s happening and give you the strategies you need to win in 2025. So let’s start with the hard facts, the very grim numbers. Organic reach, the number of people who see your stuff for free, is basically broken.
Some data show that the year-on-year decrease is as high as 50%. See, it’s not just some tiny drop, it’s a huge shift in who sees your content and more importantly, your profile. So, what does this actually mean for you? This does beg the question, can you become invisible? I mean, if you’re still using an old strategy from a few years ago, the answer is probably yes.
But hey, don’t panic, we’re going to show you how to become visible again, not just to the right people, but to the right algorithms. This is at the heart of change. Old game, it’s all about volume and virality, right? Just throwing stuff out there and hoping something catches fire.
The new game is completely different. It’s all about demonstrating real expertise and, crucially, maximizing a metric called dwell time. So, what’s going on behind the scenes? Well, think of it this way, you are fighting a war on two fronts right now.
On the one hand, LinkedIn has a new content algorithm that is looking for completely different content than before. On the other hand, you have to impress a whole new audience. Artificial Intelligence Tools Recruiters Now Use to Find Talent.
Well, let’s delve into the first aspect, the new algorithm. You have to understand this term: dwell time. This is the new gold standard.
The algorithm no longer really cares about quick likes or simple shares. What it really wants to know is, how long has it been since someone actually stopped scrolling and took the time to view your post? The longer they stick around, the more your content gets pushed out. Look at this, it’s all about timing now.
It’s not just the content you post that matters, but also the time you engage in it. Your post actually went through the judgment phase. The first hour is a critical quality check.
If you can get good, meaningful comments and engagement during the so-called golden window (the first two hours), the algorithm will reward you. If you miss it, your post is basically dead in the water. So, want to know pro tips for nailing gold windows? It’s actually pretty simple, but it makes a huge difference.
The data is very clear on this point. If you reply to comments on your post within the first hour, your visibility can increase by 35%. That’s huge.
This is where the algorithm really rewards you for having real conversations. Okay, this is the human-oriented algorithm. But remember that second front I mentioned? Your audience has changed a lot.
24 hours: The small change that quadrupled your interview rate
It’s no longer just people reading your profile. 87% of recruiters use LinkedIn as their primary tool. Increasingly, they’re letting artificial intelligence do the heavy lifting, parsing your entire profile for context.
This is a very important point. These AI recruiters do more than perform simple keyword searches. They’re using what’s called conversational search.
You know, the hiring manager just has to type something natural like find me a marketer who is good at handling crisis situations. AI actually understands the intention behind it. Therefore, your profile must be in that language.
So the big question is, how do you do this? Okay, this is the first part of our script. You have to start thinking of your profile as something specifically built for AI. We call it recruiter SEO.
It’s all about structuring your message so these new tools can find you and understand your value immediately. It all starts with your title. Seriously, this is the most important part of your entire profile.
The old practice of just putting the job title out there is over. The new AI optimization method is this simple formula. Your target position, plus the key skills recruiters are looking for, plus a unique value prop that shows your impact.
Okay, let’s talk about the about part because a lot of people get it wrong. You have to eliminate those vague, empty buzzwords. Phrases like dynamic leader or results-oriented, they are absolute poison for your profile.
Not only would humans roll their eyes at them, but AI parsers wouldn’t be able to verify them. They are just empty claims, not facts. So here’s the fix.
You can replace each of these claims with quantitative evidence and hard numbers. Don’t say you’re a leader, show it. This post example is perfect.
It provides the AI with specific verifiable data that it can actually process. Did you know? Human recruiters believe this more, too. Okay, let’s get into the experience part.
This is your keyword gold mine, a little inside tip from an actual recruiter. Literally just copy and paste the details from your resume into this section. Yes, all of them.
Then build each point with how to add the resulting formula. This is a huge one. Add your five most important skills to each job you list.
It gives you a huge advantage in searches. Okay, you’ve rebuilt your profile for artificial intelligence. This is half the battle and a huge step.
Use this 15-minute strategy to land a job (even before posting)
But now you need a content strategy built for humans. Winning one of the most important dwell time games we’ve discussed before. When it comes to the type of content you should be producing, there’s one clear, undisputed king: carousels.
You know, content that you upload in the form of a PDF or document post. The reason is simple. They force people to actively stop and slide across them.
This will skyrocket your stay. Statistics bear this out. They are two and a half times more likely to be retweeted.
Now, if you really want to be seen as an expert in your field, you should definitely turn on Creator Mode. It reorganizes your entire profile to put your content front and center. It lets you add these hashtags that basically let the algorithm know what you’re good at.
It changes the connect buttons to focus on, which is better for building a real audience. Okay, we’ve covered this a lot, right? We talk about new algorithms, the rise of AI recruiters, and the whole thing. So let’s put all of this together into a simple, actionable playbook that you can start using in 2025 right away.
So that’s the bottom line. Your strategy requires two parts, and they must work together perfectly. On the one hand, you have your own AI architecture.
It’s all about optimizing your profile using the right formulas, hard data, how-to bullets, so the AI can find you. On the other hand, you have expertise verification. This is your content strategy, create something that proves your value to humanity and wins the dwell time game.
That’s really the main takeaway from all of this. You can’t just do one thing and ignore another. You absolutely need a profile designed for machines, and you need a content strategy designed to be engaging.
Doing these two things is the new non-negotiable key to success. So I’ll leave you with one last question. After hearing all this, check out your LinkedIn profile right away.
Take a really honest look at it. Is it a relic of an old game, filled with vague claims and just hoping to go viral? Or is it an asset engineered to win in 2025? The choice is yours.
About big game hunter Jeff Altman
People hire “Big Game Hunter” Jeff Altman to provide no-nonsense career advice around the world because he makes so many things in people’s careers easier. These things may involve job search, recruiting more effectively, managing and leading better, caregiver transition, and advice on solving workplace problems.
He is the producer and former host of “No BS Job Search Advice Radio,” the #1 job search podcast on iTunes with over 3,100 episodes.
Recruiters know something you don’t: They won’t fill that many positions
You’ll find important information to help you with your job search on my new website, Job Hunting.Community In addition to video courses, books, and guides, I answer members’ questions about their job search every day. Leave your job search questions and I will respond every day. Becoming an Insider+ member gives you everything you get as an Insider+ member, plus you can connect with me via Zoom call to get your questions answered. Become an Insider Premium member and we offer individual and group coaching.
Recruiters know something you don’t: They won’t fill that many positions
Schedule a discovery call to discuss coaching you during your job search at www.TheBigGameHunter.us Talk to me about one-on-one or group coaching
LinkedIn:
Resume and LinkedIn Profile Comments www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques
Your digital first impression may get you rejected
You have permission to use this and other articles on your website as long as you include a backlink www.TheBigGameHunter.us and states that it is provided by Jeff Altman of The Big Game Hunter as the author or creator. Does not acknowledge his work or provide backlinks www.TheBigGameHunter.us Subjects you to a $1,000 fine, which you voluntarily agree to pay.
