Join recruiters Dan Yu and John Lovig as they share insights from the trenches on Q4 2025 hiring trends, AI's impact on recruitment, and essential strategies for job seekers navigating today's market.

Timestamps & Topics

[0:00] Introduction & Q4 Hiring Trends Overview

Aaron introduces the episode topic and the team discusses what's happening in Q4 hiring across the market.

[0:36] AI's Impact on Hiring

• Tech companies hiring for AI-enabled roles
• AI-first recruiting: companies seeking candidates who use AI in their workflows
• Executive-level searches indicating company growth
• Surge in tech recruiter postings

[2:13] Seasonal Hiring Patterns & Budget Spending

• Q4 as a strategic hiring period
• Budget constraints driving year-end hiring decisions
• "No fire, no hire" trend discussion
• Companies becoming more mindful about talent acquisition

[4:25] Job Hugging Trend Explained

• Definition: Doing anything to stay in your current job
• Behaviors: Taking on extra work, managing up, demonstrating value
• Connection to AI adoption and productivity increases
• Importance of being prepared for unexpected layoffs

[6:00] LinkedIn Profile Optimization for AI Search

• Building a robust LinkedIn presence
• Documenting accomplishments publicly
• Downloading contacts and memorializing achievements
• Preparing for potential career transitions

[8:00] Agentic AI in LinkedIn Recruiting

• LinkedIn's new AI agents for candidate search and messaging
• How AI search differs from traditional recruiting methods
• Importance of profile visibility for AI algorithms
• Risk of being overlooked without proper optimization

[9:39] Keyword Strategy for Visibility

• Using ubiquitous, industry-standard keywords
• Balancing specific and common terminology
• Keyword frequency and recency matter
• Strategic placement in current role and about section

[10:01] Using Pinned Posts Effectively

• Three pinned posts appear prominently on profiles
• Confirming expertise through content
• Recruiter attention span: 6-8 seconds to engage
• Examples of strategic post pinning

[11:11] LinkedIn Profile Knockout Mistakes

• Creative roles without portfolio examples in posts
• Missing professional profile pictures for client-facing roles
• Lack of background/banner images
• Not showcasing work you're proud of

[13:10] Closing & Course Information

• LinkedIn optimization live course: November 6th
• Downloadable/asynchronous course options available
• Visit futureproofyou.com for more information

Key Takeaways

1. AI skills are becoming essential across roles, not just technical positions
2. Q4 is an active hiring period driven by budget cycles
3. Your LinkedIn profile must be AI-search optimized with strategic keywords
4. Recruiters spend 6-8 seconds scanning profiles—make every element count
5. Document your accomplishments and maintain an up-to-date professional presence

Resources Mentioned

• FutureProofYou.com - Course information and resources
• LinkedIn Optimization Course - Live (Nov 6) and downloadable formats

Connect with the Hosts

Find Dan Yu, John Lovig, and Aaron Makelky on LinkedIn to learn more about hiring trends and career optimization strategies.

We’re thrilled to be sponsored by IXL. 

IXL’s comprehensive teaching and learning platform for math, language arts, science, and social studies is accelerating achievement in 95 of the top 100 U.S. school districts. Loved by teachers and backed by independent research from Johns Hopkins University, IXL can help you do the following and more:
Simplify and streamline technology
Save teachers’ time
Reliably meet Tier 1 standards
Improve student performance on state assessments
🚀 Ready to see why leading districts trust IXL for their educational needs? Visit IXL.com/BE today to learn more about how IXL can elevate your school or district.