Audio By Carbonatix
Microsoft, which owns LinkedIn, estimates that 250 million jobs could be lost this year worldwide.
LinkedIn is releasing new tools aimed at making it easier for the unemployed to find a job amid the coronavirus pandemic.
The business-oriented social network, which is owned by Microsoft, said it's testing a new tool called career explorer that shows job seekers how their skills relate to thousands of job titles and what skills they still need to build. Users will be directed to online learning courses to learn new skills.
Some of the fastest growing skills on LinkedIn including programming, digital marketing, finance and data analysis. Companies are also looking for workers with communication, business management and problem-solving skills.
"In this environment, continued learning and investment in new skills is really critical for job seekers in order to get them back on their feet," Karin Kimbrough, a chief economist at LinkedIn, said during a press conference.
LinkedIn will also help job seekers prepare for an interview by showing common questions asked in product management, marketing and sales jobs. LinkedIn said that using #OpenToWork and its associated photo frame are helping to break down stigmas around unemployment.
Kimbrough said that companies are still hiring, but there isn't "a massive upward surge."
"We're seeing some improvements, but it's not going that quickly, and in many countries that haven't contained COVID, hiring is likely to hit a ceiling until a vaccine is widely available and distributed," she said.
Microsoft estimates that 250 million jobs could be lost this year worldwide. The COVID-19 pandemic has left more than 140 million out of work and another 1.6 billion at risk, LinkedIn said, citing data from the International Labor Organization.
More people are still turning to LinkedIn to find a job. In the past quarter, more than 15 million people have joined LinkedIn, and three members are hired every minute, according to LinkedIn.
LinkedIn projects that there will be 150 million new technology jobs created in the next year. Some of jobs in top demand include software engineer, sales representative, project manager and IT administrator.
The coronavirus pandemic is also changing the way people work, as employees stay at home to do their jobs. Blake Barnes, LinkedIn's vice president of product, said the company thinks remote working is here to stay. Job seekers are able to tap into new opportunities, and companies have access to more talent.
"This is something that we think is going to be kind of part of the fabric of the workforce moving forward," he said.
Latest Stories
-
Abolish or Reform? Abu Jinapor counsels sober reflection on debate over future of Special Prosecutor’s Office
5 hours -
2026 World Cup: Can Ghana navigate England, Croatia, and Panama in Group L?
5 hours -
NAIMOS task force arrests 9 Chinese illegal miners, destroys equipment at Dadieso
6 hours -
NAIMOS advances into Atiwa Forest, uncovers child labour, river diversion and heavy machinery
6 hours -
NAIMOS Task Force storms Fanteakwa South, dismantles galamsey operations
6 hours -
The Kissi Agyebeng Removal Bid: A Look at the Numbers
7 hours -
DVLA to roll out digitised accident reports, new number plates and 24-hour services
8 hours -
DVLA Workers’ Union opens 2025 Annual Residential Delegates Congress with call for excellence, equity and solidarity
8 hours -
Scholarships Secretariat sets December 8–9 interviews for Commonwealth Scholarship applicants
8 hours -
WASSCE decline reveals deep gaps, there’s need to overhaul education system – Franklin Cudjoe
9 hours -
JOY FM Drive Time host Lexis Bill leads fans up Aburi Mountain in energetic ‘Walk With Lexis’ fitness experience
9 hours -
2026 World Cup: Ghana to open campaign in Toronto against Panama
9 hours -
President Mahama, Lordina support retired Assemblies of God pastors, widows with medical care and Christmas gifts
9 hours -
2025/26 GPL: Nations FC fight back to claim 2-1 win over Heart of Lions
9 hours -
Tanzania responds to international criticism over October post-election events
10 hours
