India, 09 January, 2026: In India, 84%1 of professionals feel unprepared to find a new job, although 72%2 say they’re actively seeking a new role in 2026. This comes amid the rise of AI in the hiring process, rapidly shifting skill requirements for today’s jobs, and an increasingly competitive, but selective, job market.
New research from LinkedIn, the world’s largest professional network, shows many professionals feel lost in an AI-driven hiring process. While 87% are comfortable3 using AI at work, many feel uncertain about how it’s being used in hiring, with 77%4 saying there are too many stages in the process and 66% finding it increasingly impersonal4. Recruiter response time and lack of feedback makes the wait even more overwhelming, leaving professionals across all generations with the same struggle: how to make their application stand out (48% agree).
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The research also shows that AI has moved from a productivity aid to a confidence-builder for Indian job seekers, with 94%5 planning to use it in their job search and 66% saying it boosts their interview confidence4. Around 76% of job seekers say finding a new role has become tougher over the last year. LinkedIn data shows that applicants per open role in India have more than doubled since early 2022, intensifying competition and leaving many feeling unprepared. And it’s not just job seekers feeling the pressure. Nearly 74% of Indian recruiters say it’s become harder over the last year to find qualified talent6.
This challenge is reshaping career paths. Almost a third (32%) of Gen X job seekers are considering new functions or roles, while 32% of Gen Zers are looking for roles outside their current industry. At the same time, more people are stepping outside of traditional roles and into entrepreneurship, with ‘founder’ rapidly growing on LinkedIn.
Nirajita Banerjee, LinkedIn Career Expert and Sr. Managing Editor, LinkedIn India News, said “AI is now a foundational part of how careers are built and how talent is evaluated across India’s job market. What professionals need most is a clear understanding of how their skills translate into opportunity and how hiring decisions are actually made. When used with purpose, AI tools can bridge that gap by helping people identify the roles they’re right for, prepare with intent, and focus their learning where it matters most. That’s where LinkedIn helps job seekers and hirers meet the moment.”
