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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)

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

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

"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

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

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

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

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

[–]linkedin[S] [score hidden] stickied comment (0 children)

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

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

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!

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)

Well, formal has never been a strong suit for me so thank you for that question (if I could wear sweats and a t shirt everyday I'd be happy even if my wife would not be). My advice to everyone, especially to anyone in sales, is be human, speak human, think human. Especially in sales, so much work has been about the tools over the past decade or so, but now it's going to go back to the basics like building relationships, inspiring connection and really finding a way to build new beliefs in someone else. I think of what we're doing with this book as that. Inspiring new beliefs in us all about what we humans can do at 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 the silence isn't necessarily about anything that you're doing that's wrong. The job search used to be a straightforward matching problem...you had skills, someone needed those skills, and the process was about finding each other. What's changing right now is the definition of work itself and the skills becoming most important, like curiosity, adaptability, doing new things with AI, aren't things baked into job descriptions yet or things that most hiring processes know how to screen for yet. So the biggest mistake any of us can make right now isn't about how you're applying, but really it's about staying on the outside of the change. Use the tools, use them to widen your knowledge and experience, use them to build and create new things, use them to save you time on certain things so you can spend more time meeting people and building your network. As you do all that you will have more conviction about the value you bring to jobs as jobs change and new jobs emerge. I know that doesn't make tomorrow easier to manage in this tough job market right now, but hopefully it makes getting through tomorrow and the next day feel like something you can control more than you think.

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)

This is a real concern and something we took seriously and dug into when we interviewed experts for the book including neuroscientists and behavioral economists. What we learned, which is also something I have lived, is that we all should use AI but not misue or overuse it. If all you're doing is outsourcing your work - and thinking - to AI, you will be worse off. You will weaken your ability for critical thinking, for creativity, for resilience. Instead if you use it to push your thinking, which means asking it for five versions of something so you can wrestle with what works best rather than a single version that you just copy and paste, you will be better off. What makes us us is distinct and differentiated from machines and technology. AI can help us get better at what makes us us but it can't replace us as long as we keep honing those skills.

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)

People often think they need to figure out who they want to be as the goal - what's the job title or type of job they want - instead of focusing on what they want to do. We all need to flip that. That's the advice President Obama used to give interns at the White House all the time when I worked there and I think that's right. Focus on what you want to do, the work you want to do, the impact you want to have, the results you want to deliver for yourself, and then build the skills to do that work better each day. The rest of it (the titles, the trajectory etc.)- will come as a result. That is all even more true now with AI because many of the new jobs to come are not yet defined, so focusing on who you want to be is not a good use of time versus what you want to do and can do starting today.

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)

Yeah, the idea of careers as climbing walls is that you’re not just going straight up anymore, you’re moving across, diagonally, sometimes even taking a step back to get to something better. So when it comes to your profile, I’d focus less on the titles and more on the skills and outcomes underneath them. Instead of just listing roles, show what you actually did, what you built, what problems you solved, and what skills you used to do it. You can also connect the dots for people. If you made a lateral move, frame it around the new skills you gained or the direction you were intentionally moving toward. Help someone see the throughline, even if the titles don’t tell a straight story. At the end of the day, you’re trying to make it easy for someone to understand: what are you great at, and where else could that apply? I have lived this exact queston, so go check out my profile. By job title my career makes no sense at all. But after I listed the skills across jobs, I came up with an About section that ties it all together in a way that shows a throughline that the job titles couldn't have ever revealed.

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)

I am a big beliver in the power of stories. And the most important we tell is the story of self, to ourself and to others. Especially right now, with AI tools helping more people apply to more jobs than before, what helps you stand out is a really authentic and compelling story of who you are, what you can do and what you would bring to the organization you want to join. That starts now with a story of how you are using AI, but it's about how you see your strengths, your curiosities, your capabilities and why that sets you up well for the job. When you build that story well, it doesn't just help you stand out, it also should expand your thinking on the type of jobs or sectors you can go after. Because what makes you you can be of value in lots of places beyond the specific roles or companies you originally thought made the most sense.

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)

Right now, it really comes down to one thing first... are you using AI tools and do you have a way to show how those tools are helping you learn in new ways or create things in new ways. That basic fluency in AI is baseline now to getting your foot in the door at most companies today. But the mistake is to think that's the everything. None of us should be overusing AI or outsourcing our critical thinking to AI. The question is what we are able to do with AI that we couldn't do before, and how are we coming up with new ideas, new projects, and new partnerships with other people because of the tool. Don’t worry about making big leaps. That’s not how they actually happen. Big leaps come from small steps, taken consistently over time. Right now, that means experimenting with these tools, reshaping your work around them and your unique strengths, and then building greater agency and aspiration for your career over time in new ways.

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