LinkedIn has just rolled out a major suite of updates designed to shift the labor market further toward a “skills-first” economy. The platform is introducing Verified Skills through direct product partnerships and a centralized Job Tracker, giving professionals concrete ways to prove their expertise and organize their hunt for new roles.
1. Verified Skills: Proving Proficiency, Not Just Claiming It
In a move to move beyond self-reported skills, LinkedIn is teaming up with AI and software innovators to validate user proficiency based on actual product usage, rather than just tests or endorsements.
- How it works: Partners like Descript, Lovable, Relay.app, and Replit will now assess a user’s proficiency based on their real-world usage patterns and outcomes within those tools.
- The Result: If you meet the criteria, you can add a “Verified Skill” certificate to your LinkedIn profile. This serves as a trusted signal to employers that you have hands-on, demonstrated experience with the tools they use.
- Coming Soon: Additional partners, including Gamma, GitHub, and Zapier, are expected to join the program in the coming months.
2. The New Job Tracker
To help candidates manage the often chaotic process of job hunting, LinkedIn is releasing a new Job Tracker. This tool acts as a centralized workspace that integrates directly with your network.
- Centralized Hub: Users can now track applications, save notes, and manage next steps for various roles all in one place, replacing scattered spreadsheets.
- Network Integration: The tracker explicitly highlights who in your network can help with specific opportunities, making it easier to leverage connections for referrals or advice.
3. AI-Powered Search Expands Globally
LinkedIn’s conversational job search—which allows users to type natural queries like “find me a remote marketing role that involves strategy”—is expanding.
- Global Rollout: The feature is now available in English, Spanish, French, German, and Portuguese.
- Better Matching: The system is designed to understand the intent behind a search, surfacing relevant roles that a user might have missed with traditional keyword searches.
Why This Matters
This update reinforces the trend that demonstrated ability is becoming as valuable as traditional credentials. With AI proficiency being a top in-demand skill for 2026, the ability to “verify” these skills gives early adopters a significant competitive edge in the hiring pool.
