84 Percent of Professionals in India Feel Unprepared to Find Job in 2026: LinkedIn

The research shows that 84 per cent of professionals in India feel unprepared to find a new job, despite 72 per cent saying they are currently seeking a role this year. While AI adoption at the workplace is high, with 87 per cent of professionals comfortable using AI tools on the job, many remain unclear about how these technologies are influencing hiring decisions.

More than three-fourths of respondents said the recruitment process has become increasingly complex, with 77 per cent pointing to too many stages in hiring and 66 per cent describing it as impersonal. Long recruiter response times and limited feedback are adding to the anxiety, leaving nearly half of job seekers unsure about how to make their applications stand out.

The report highlights that AI is no longer seen only as a productivity tool, but also as a source of confidence for job seekers. About 94 per cent of Indian professionals plan to use AI in their job search, and 66 per cent believe it helps them feel more confident during interviews. However, 76 per cent said finding a new job has become more difficult over the past year.

LinkedIn data indicates that competition for roles has intensified significantly, with the number of applicants per open position in India more than doubling since early 2022. Recruiters are facing challenges as well, with nearly 74 per cent saying it has become harder to find qualified talent over the last year.

Shifting market dynamics are also reshaping career paths. Around 32 per cent of Gen X professionals are considering moving into new roles or functions, while a similar share of Gen Z job seekers are exploring opportunities outside their current industries. Entrepreneurship is also gaining momentum, with “founder” emerging as one of the fastest-growing titles on the platform.

Commenting on the findings, Nirajita Banerjee, LinkedIn Career Expert and Senior Managing Editor for LinkedIn India News, said AI has become a foundational part of how careers are built and evaluated in India. She said professionals need greater clarity on how their skills translate into opportunities and how hiring decisions are made, adding that purposeful use of AI tools can help bridge this gap by enabling better role discovery, focused preparation and targeted learning.

To help professionals prepare for the year ahead, LinkedIn’s India Jobs on the Rise report has identified the fastest-growing roles over the past three years. Prompt Engineer topped the list, followed by AI Engineer and Software Engineer, reflecting sustained demand for technology and AI-driven roles. The report also highlighted growing opportunities beyond core tech, including sales, brand strategy, cybersecurity and advisory roles. Non-traditional roles such as Veterinarian, Solar Consultant and Behavioural Therapist are also seeing increased demand.

LinkedIn said its expanding suite of AI-powered tools is aimed at improving job search and role matching. Features such as AI-driven job search allow members to search for roles using natural language, while job match tools help applicants identify positions that align closely with their skills and qualifications, enabling more targeted applications.

As the job market continues to evolve rapidly, LinkedIn emphasised the importance of staying adaptable, keeping professional profiles updated, building relevant skills and leveraging networks to stay competitive in an increasingly selective hiring environment.