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LinkedIn just released some eye-opening data that confirms what I've been seeing for months: 80% of job seekers feel completely unprepared to find work in 2026. Not because they're unqualified. Not because their resumes are bad. But because they're stuck using outdated strategies that simply don't work anymore.

And honestly? I get it. Job search has changed dramatically, and most people haven't gotten the memo yet.

Here's what's happening right now: there are more people looking for work than ever before. At the same time, the number of jobs being publicly posted is actually going down.

Let that sink in for a second.

You've got thousands of applicants competing for fewer and fewer posted positions. It's like being stuck in gridlock on the highway. It doesn’t matter if you have the newest, fastest car on the market; you’re still stuck next to every other car on the road.

This is exactly why I see so many talented professionals spinning their wheels right now. They're tweaking their resumes for the hundredth time. They're using AI to generate "optimized" applications. They're trying to game applicant tracking systems. They're revving their engines as hard as they can, but they're on the wrong road entirely.

The traditional application process—find a job posting, submit your resume, cross your fingers—is broken. When you're competing with literally thousands of other applicants for every single posted role, your odds are terrible, no matter how qualified you are.

But here's what most people don't realize: the majority of hiring is now happening quietly, behind the scenes. Recruiters aren't posting jobs and waiting for applications to roll in. They're actively searching for candidates on platforms like LinkedIn, finding people who match what they're looking for, and reaching out directly.

This means the real opportunity isn't in applying to more jobs. It's about becoming visible to the people who are looking for you.

So what does this mean for you? It means you need to shift your strategy entirely. It's not about who you know anymore; it's about who knows you.

Your friends and former colleagues want to help you, I'm sure. But they're not the ones with job openings they need to fill. Recruiters are. And they're out there right now, searching LinkedIn for candidates who look like a match for their open positions.

The good news? LinkedIn just did a massive algorithm update, which levels the playing field completely. It doesn't matter if you've been on the platform for two minutes or 20 years. As long as you're doing the right things, you can surface in recruiter searches.

This is actually a huge advantage for people who've always avoided LinkedIn or never really understood how to use it effectively. You can jump in today and start making an impact almost immediately, but only if you know what you're doing.

I've been teaching this approach for years now, and I can tell you from experience: when you understand how to become visible to recruiters on LinkedIn, everything changes. Instead of sending your resume into a black hole hundreds of times, you start getting found by the people who have jobs they need to fill.

You become the solution they've been searching for.

But here's the catch: you have to know the new rules of engagement. You can't just throw up a profile and hope for the best. You need to understand how to position yourself, what content to share, and how to show up in a way that makes recruiters want to reach out.

If you've made it this far, I know you're serious about landing your next opportunity. And I want to help you do exactly that.

I've put together a training called "20 LinkedIn Posts That Get You Job Offers," where I walk you through exactly how to use LinkedIn the right way in 2026. 

As a 20-year career coaching veteran and someone LinkedIn has recognized as a Top Voice for the last 13 years, I've had insider access to this platform, and I know what works. When you understand these 20 posts and how to use them strategically, you'll be able to surface yourself in recruiter searches and start getting opportunities without submitting another application.

The job market has changed. The question is: are you ready to change with it?

Grab the "20 LinkedIn Posts That Get You Job Offers" training here and start getting visible today.

Go get ‘em!

J.T. O’Donnell

If you're a professional who's tired of feeling invisible or undervalued, J.T. O’Donnell’s new book PRO VOICE: Turn What You Know Into What You Earn is for you!

It’s time to stop relying on resumes and start building real visibility, credibility, and income.

Inside, J.T. shares her G.L.O.W. Method™ for showcasing your expertise online, building a trusted personal brand, and monetizing your knowledge through content, coaching, speaking, and more.

This isn’t about going viral—it’s about getting visible to the people who matter most. If you're ready to future-proof your career and finally earn what you’re worth, this book is your roadmap.