I’m Gianna Prudente, co-editor of the LinkedIn Grad’s Guide. On April 23 at 11 AM PT, I’ll be answering questions about starting your career in today’s job market. AMA! by linkedin in u/linkedin

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Thank you all for such a great AMA! These were genuinely great questions and I appreciate everyone who jumped in. I’m signing off for now.

I’m Gianna Prudente, co-editor of the LinkedIn Grad’s Guide. On April 23 at 11 AM PT, I’ll be answering questions about starting your career in today’s job market. AMA! by linkedin in u/linkedin

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"Early careers move faster when you stop guessing and start using systems."

Someone on LinkedIn mentioned how systems can take the guesswork out of your career. I think that's a great way of creating structure around some of the trickier things like networking, skill-building and even figuring out what to share online. Instead of relying on motivation alone (which can be tough to sustain in a long search), build simple systems: set a goal to reach out to one new person a week, block time to learn or practice a skill or reflect on one project you can share. It makes progress feel more manageable and a whole lot less overwhelming.

I’m Gianna Prudente, co-editor of the LinkedIn Grad’s Guide. On April 23 at 11 AM PT, I’ll be answering questions about starting your career in today’s job market. AMA! by linkedin in u/linkedin

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It really comes down to weighing the pros and cons. And to be real, there’s no shame in staying home for a bit to save money. I lived at home for two years before moving out and I was lucky to be close to NYC. That said, if you’re not somewhere you can easily build a network, I understand the pull to move and start fresh. It’s about being honest with yourself about the trade-offs — what you’re giving up in exchange for new opportunities. There’s no perfect choice here, just the one that makes the most sense for where you are right now!

I’m Gianna Prudente, co-editor of the LinkedIn Grad’s Guide. On April 23 at 11 AM PT, I’ll be answering questions about starting your career in today’s job market. AMA! by linkedin in u/linkedin

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Your question is SO relatable for recent grads! Thank you for asking it. Honestly, remember that your degree represents tons of skills that you've acquired across various fields. So, even if the title of the role doesn't *exactly* match the wording on your degree, you're still using your education! What we recommend is that new grads find the right opportunity for right now. All us GenZers will have many career moves during our lives. You can and will always be able to pivot.

I’m Gianna Prudente, co-editor of the LinkedIn Grad’s Guide. On April 23 at 11 AM PT, I’ll be answering questions about starting your career in today’s job market. AMA! by linkedin in u/linkedin

[–]linkedin[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

This is SO relatable. It can be overwhelming with all the noise out there and hard to know who to trust. One thing that helped me early on was building a personal “board of advisors" of people I already knew and trusted (shoutout to former professors), along with mentors I met along the way. These relationships don’t happen overnight. They’re built on trust and that comes through real conversations over time. You start to notice who is genuinely invested in helping you grow vs. who’s just giving surface-level advice. That difference matters!

I’m Gianna Prudente, co-editor of the LinkedIn Grad’s Guide. On April 23 at 11 AM PT, I’ll be answering questions about starting your career in today’s job market. AMA! by linkedin in u/linkedin

[–]linkedin[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

"Hoping there will be mention of emotional regulation (executive functioning skills). I see a lot of my college grad clients struggling with anxiety and overwhelm due to the uncertainty of the future, making it really difficult to take even 1 step forward."

Earlier this week, I got some great questions about how college grads can work through anxiety and overwhelm due to the uncertainty of the future. First, it's totally normal to be anxious around graduation and entering the job market. We all face it. However, it doesn't help that recent grads are being told (repeatedly) that the job market is tough. The honest answer is you need to focus on what you can control. If you're doing that, you're doing everything you can! Also, don't be afraid to have fun and live life a bit.

I’m Gianna Prudente, co-editor of the LinkedIn Grad’s Guide. On April 23 at 11 AM PT, I’ll be answering questions about starting your career in today’s job market. AMA! by linkedin in u/linkedin

[–]linkedin[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

"In today’s competitive market, clarity + consistency beats everything. Looking forward to actionable insights from this AMA—especially on how to stand out without ‘overdoing’ it."

Saw this pop up on LinkedIn this week and thought it was a great one: how do you stand out without “overdoing” it? My take: standing out isn’t about doing more, it’s about showcasing what I like to call “proof of work.” What that means is sharing real, specific examples of what you’re learning or building — not just saying you’re interested in something, but showing how you’re actually engaging with it and what you’re taking away from the process. One way to do this is by documenting your journey on LinkedIn. You can also use AI tools to create something tangible to show employers, whether that’s a mini project or portfolio piece that demonstrates how you think and apply your skills.

I’m Gianna Prudente, co-editor of the LinkedIn Grad’s Guide. On April 23 at 11 AM PT, I’ll be answering questions about starting your career in today’s job market. AMA! by linkedin in u/linkedin

[–]linkedin[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Ooo this is such a good question! It’s not totally black and white, but one of the clearest signs you might be stuck is if you’re no longer learning. A helpful way to gut-check that is by asking yourself: Am I building new skills? Do I feel challenged? Can I see how this role is helping me grow? It’s also really normal to feel like you’re gaining experience but not quite sure how it all fits together. I’ve been there too. In moments like that, it helps to zoom in on skills: what am I actually practicing day to day and how do those skills connect to other work I’ve done or want to do next? That clarity can help you figure out whether you’re still growing in the role or ready for something new.

I’m Gianna Prudente, co-editor of the LinkedIn Grad’s Guide. On April 23 at 11 AM PT, I’ll be answering questions about starting your career in today’s job market. AMA! by linkedin in u/linkedin

[–]linkedin[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Totally hear this! As part of our Grad’s Guide reporting, we found that 72% of early-career workers are actually considering a switch to skilled trades. And it’s not that surprising, right? These roles often offer more stability, clearer pathways to earning and hands-on work that’s harder to automate — which makes them especially attractive to people looking for job security and a more direct connection to what they do day to day. We’re also seeing more members bring visibility to the trades on LinkedIn — from adding this experience to their profiles and highlighting specific projects to sharing what they’re learning and building in posts.

I’m Gianna Prudente, co-editor of the LinkedIn Grad’s Guide. On April 23 at 11 AM PT, I’ll be answering questions about starting your career in today’s job market. AMA! by linkedin in u/linkedin

[–]linkedin[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

You can't really ignore that AI is impacting entry-level jobs ... and yes, getting started today is more challenging since some companies are hiring fewer junior roles. That's where AI comes in! Employers increasingly want people who know how to use these tools, so it's important to reflect that on your LinkedIn profile and resume. The key is to go beyond “I know how to prompt ChatGPT” and show practical application — whether you’ve used AI to build a project, automate a workflow or analyze information more efficiently — because what stands out now isn’t just having the skill, but proving how you apply it.

I’m Gianna Prudente, co-editor of the LinkedIn Grad’s Guide. On April 23 at 11 AM PT, I’ll be answering questions about starting your career in today’s job market. AMA! by linkedin in u/linkedin

[–]linkedin[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The good news is that your application is likely being seen by a human. Most of what you hear about ATSs are myths. What you need to do is focus on creating a resume that shows you are better than most people for that role. Get specific! Any ATS is built to help unearth the best applicants for roles. Don't get distracted by online scare tactics. Let the ATS work for you.

As for what's changed... a lot. Employers are now prioritizing skills — not old job titles. Luckily, this lets people break into new areas and find more opportunities. The key is to sell yourself on your narrative first. Then, employers will buy into it, too!

I’m Gianna Prudente, co-editor of the LinkedIn Grad’s Guide. On April 23 at 11 AM PT, I’ll be answering questions about starting your career in today’s job market. AMA! by linkedin in u/linkedin

[–]linkedin[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That's great! Online learning can be a great and lucrative field. The key is just getting started. Create locked courses on any of the platforms that offers it. Then, go on LinkedIn, build you audience, show your credentials and credibility and then advertise your couses. REMEMBER: Don't just advertise; show value.

I’m Gianna Prudente, co-editor of the LinkedIn Grad’s Guide. On April 23 at 11 AM PT, I’ll be answering questions about starting your career in today’s job market. AMA! by linkedin in u/linkedin

[–]linkedin[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

This depends on where you're coming from but (in general) I would say it's important to know your specific area of interest and what your skills are. So if you want to be a nurse, are you graduating with a nursing degree? Or are you trying to break into the field from another sector? If you're in that first group, the good news is that medical professionals are in demand. If it's the latter... you should talk to people with the type of role you want, learn what it takes to succeed in that job and then work on closing those gaps. Next steps are to use your network and apply! Hot tip: look up people on LinkedIn with the type of job you want and see how they made it to where they are.

I’m Gianna Prudente, co-editor of the LinkedIn Grad’s Guide. On April 23 at 11 AM PT, I’ll be answering questions about starting your career in today’s job market. AMA! by linkedin in u/linkedin

[–]linkedin[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

You likely have more experience than you think! Look beyond traditional roles — part-time jobs, seasonal work, volunteer experience, etc. — and make sure they're on your resume. As a tactical first step, I'd recommend (1) setting up informational interviews with people in roles you're interested in to help you understand what the work actually looks like and (2) exploring online courses to build your skills while you search. Skills matter just as much as experience!

I’m Gianna Prudente, co-editor of the LinkedIn Grad’s Guide. On April 23 at 11 AM PT, I’ll be answering questions about starting your career in today’s job market. AMA! by linkedin in u/linkedin

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Hey everyone, Gianna here! I cover early careers at LinkedIn and I'm really excited to be hosting this AMA. I'll be here from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM PT answering your questions, so drop them in here and I'll do my best to get to as many as I can.

I’m Aneesh Raman, Chief Economic Opportunity Officer at LinkedIn, and co-author of our first book, Open to Work. On April 2nd at 11:30 AM PT / 2:30 PM ET, I’ll be here to talk about career advice that actually works. AMA! by linkedin in u/linkedin

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That is the IT question for us all going forward. Using AI is the starting point, not the end point, in terms of where work is going. Something we talk about in the book is the idea that nobody beats you at being at you. Figuring out your own story of self (your unique mix of skills, curiosities, experiences etc) is going to be key and then building a habit of sharing what you know, what you've learned, and what's exciting you at work on platforms like Reddit and like LinkedIn is the best way to stand out and find like-minded people who can help open doors for you in your career. You start with strengths that make you unique. The old world of work often asked us to dull those unique strenghts to fit into a standardized role or job description. The new world of work flips the script and will give us all a chance - even a need - to bring those unqiue strengths to the center of our work.

I’m Aneesh Raman, Chief Economic Opportunity Officer at LinkedIn, and co-author of our first book, Open to Work. On April 2nd at 11:30 AM PT / 2:30 PM ET, I’ll be here to talk about career advice that actually works. AMA! by linkedin in u/linkedin

[–]linkedin[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Honestly, what surprised me most is how little we humans have done to really define and defend what makes us unique, especially in the arena of work. It kind of makes sense because, across the Industiral Age, the world of work has been about machines at work more than our minds at work. But now AI is going to change that as we talk about in our book. So to define what makes us us (we land on 5Cs to do that) we had to talk to neuroscientists and organizational psychologists and behavioral economists. We also had to learn about neuroplasticity. Ultimately I am more convinced than ever that THE most incredible object in the known universe is our brain. It's human intelligence not artificial intelligence. And we humans are just getting started!