Hey friend,

The irony isn't lost on me. While we're talking about mastering LinkedIn's algorithm to land your next role, LinkedIn itself just laid off 281 employees across California—including 71 software engineers who likely helped build the very system we're trying to crack.

But here's the thing: this makes understanding LinkedIn's 2025 algorithm changes even more critical. As Microsoft pushes AI integration and reshapes how the platform works, laid-off professionals need every advantage to stand out in an increasingly crowded job market.

The algorithm has fundamentally changed this year, and most job seekers are playing by outdated rules.

Kyle Nitchen was like most professionals - his LinkedIn profile sat there doing nothing. Then he optimized it strategically. The results?

✔️ Most people were mass-applying to hundreds of jobs with generic profiles
✔️ Most were posting daily motivational content hoping for visibility
✔️ Most were connecting randomly without strategic targeting
✔️ Most were using outdated optimization tactics from 2022-2023

After Kyle refined his profile strategically, he gained thousands of professional connections, met dozens of CEOs and founders, generated thousands of dollars in additional online income, and built relationships that opened new opportunities (Kyle Nitchen, November 2024).

The brutal truth: Kyle understood something most professionals miss - LinkedIn's algorithm had fundamentally changed, and the old tactics weren't just ineffective, they were actively hurting visibility.

Here's what the 2025 LinkedIn landscape actually looks like for job seekers:

The Algorithm Revolution: LinkedIn confirmed a major shift in mid-2025 where it now prioritizes relevance over recency. Your high-value posts can surface for 2-3 weeks instead of disappearing after 24 hours—but only if you understand the new ranking signals.

The OpenToWork Dilemma: While LinkedIn claims the #OpenToWork badge increases recruiter messages by 40%, former Google recruiter Nolan Church warns it signals "desperation" to hiring managers. The sweet spot? Use the "Recruiters Only" setting, which increases response rates by 200% without alerting your network.

Profile Optimization Impact: People with optimized profiles get 2x more views and 4x more messages. But optimization in 2025 means different things than it did last year.

The New Visibility Rules: LinkedIn now emphasizes expertise more than ever. If you consistently post about a specific topic, the algorithm recognizes your authority and boosts your content—critical for laid-off professionals establishing thought leadership.

Profile Photo Reality Check: Profiles with professional photos get 14 times more views, yet 76% of hiring managers value pre-recorded videos during evaluations.

1. Master the New Algorithm Signals (15 minutes)

2. Optimize for Relevance, Not Recency (20 minutes)

3. Leverage the "Golden Hour" System (10 minutes daily)

4. Use Hidden Visibility Boosters (25 minutes)

The Algorithm Audit (30 minutes this week)

Day 1: Go to your LinkedIn Analytics and answer:

Day 2: Optimize your visibility settings: 4. Switch OpenToWork to "Recruiters Only" mode 5. Update your job preferences to include specific titles from recent job descriptions 6. Add location flexibility if you're open to remote work

Day 3: Content audit: 7. Identify your "expertise niche"—what topic will you consistently post about? 8. Plan 3 evergreen posts that provide immediate value to your target audience

"LinkedIn's algorithm is getting better at detecting engagement bait and prioritizing meaningful conversations instead. Posts that generate discussions, especially those with thoughtful comments, are more likely to reach a wider audience." - Hootsuite's 2025 LinkedIn Algorithm Guide

Coming soon! We'll be sharing job leads from trusted folks once they start rolling in.

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LinkedIn's 2025 changes aren't designed to make job searching easier. They're designed to surface the most relevant professional content, which means you need to be more strategic than ever.

Stop optimizing for likes and start optimizing for the right eyes seeing your content. The laid-off LinkedIn engineers who built this system? They understood that relevance beats recency, expertise beats desperation, and strategic visibility beats broadcasting.

The algorithm is a tool, not an enemy. But only if you know how to use it.

Your next opportunity is one optimized post away.

Win
Fellow layoff survivor, creator of Let Go Weekly

P.S. If you found this helpful, the algorithm rewards engagement in the first hour. A thoughtful comment or share helps other laid-off professionals discover these strategies too.