Legrand illustrates how LinkedIn is innovating by connecting existing skills with the needs of emerging jobs.

Olivier Legrand, Managing Director for Asia Pacific at LinkedIn, suggests that many individuals already possess some qualifications for in-demand jobs without realizing it.

During his keynote, “Job titles are out, skill sets are in,” at the Singapore Computer Society’s Tech3 Forum, Legrand stated that LinkedIn aims to connect its members not only with employers but also with suitable companies, relevant jobs, and essential skills for future career prospects.

Legrand highlighted LinkedIn’s goal of providing greater value to its approximately 3.3 billion workers and up to 50 million employers worldwide, compared to its current 500 million members and 7 million active employers. Additionally, around 30,000 educational institutions are presently on the platform.

He explained that analyzing and connecting members’ skill sets with those required for new job categories presents a valuable opportunity for all stakeholders. This approach deviates from the traditional focus on matching based on existing job titles. The company has been collecting peer endorsements for various skills from its members, accumulating a massive 10 billion endorsements to date.

“These 10 billion skills endorsements…provide us with a unique perspective on skills taxonomy and the specific skills needed for different jobs,” Legrand explained.

To illustrate, he pointed to the high demand for data scientists, despite the limited number of individuals currently holding data scientist-related job titles. Analyzing data scientist jobs based on required skills reveals a list of skills that many LinkedIn members may already possess fully or partially, according to Legrand. This insight allows employers to expand their candidate search beyond job titles, enables LinkedIn to suggest relevant skills for educational institutions to offer, and empowers members to acquire in-demand skills.

Legrand emphasized LinkedIn’s commitment to empowering its members in pursuing opportunities. “We’re investing in algorithms and machine learning to guide you in the right direction,” he affirmed.

In the context of data science, while there are 84,000 individuals on LinkedIn with relevant data scientist job titles, there are 576,000 individuals who possess at least five of the required skills. Expanding the search further, Legrand revealed that 10 million LinkedIn users possess one or more of the 10 essential data science skills.

“Through this approach, we can substantially expand the talent pool by approximately eight times,” he stated. “We’ve identified skill adjacencies that enable us to invest in retraining individuals who already have the foundational skills to become data scientists.”

Legrand also shared the most sought-after skills in Singapore, which are primarily digital in nature.

Digital skills are most desired in Singapore.

He emphasized the significance of lifelong learning in a rapidly evolving job market. “It’s a reality,” Legrand stressed. “Career paths are not always linear. Maintain an open mind, be flexible, and adaptable. Future jobs will differ from those of today.”

As a prime example of someone successfully transitioning mid-career due to his belief in the digital age, Legrand profiled Wui Liang Heng, Country Head for Singapore at BankBazaar International, a fintech company focused on mobile payments. Heng proactively networked with individuals in or from startup companies on LinkedIn, which ultimately led him to his current position.

Legrand encouraged members to follow Heng’s lead by utilizing LinkedIn for research and networking, specifically by exploring professional content that individuals are reading, liking, and sharing, enabling meaningful interactions.

Furthermore, Legrand discussed best practices for optimizing LinkedIn profiles, referencing PerX Technologies CEO Anna Gong’s profile as an example. Recommendations included:

• Include a summary with relevant keywords instead of jargon.

• Add a professional photo to increase profile views 21-fold.

• Include your current position to increase profile views 18-fold.

• List relevant skills, as profiles with five or more skills are 17 times more likely to be viewed.

LinkedIn Asia Pacific operates from 13 offices across nine markets.

The annually held Tech3 Forum features distinguished speakers and addresses significant topics related to technology, talent, and industry trends.