Key takeaways

• LinkedIn hit $2 billion in revenue from subscriptions packed with AI features

• Around a third of people owe their current job to their personal connections

• Personal headshots can get the AI treatment for less than $50

With Americans facing an up-and-down job market, networking could be more valuable in preparing for the future. The spread of AI tools can help people grow their professional development.

The Federal Reserve’s recent Beige Book report took a pulse check of the U.S. over the latter half of September and start of October — seeing economic activity staying stable, though employers adjusted headcount and slowed hiring over the period.¹ Nearly four in five Americans surveyed in early October think their family’s finances are “holding steady,” though fluctuations in the labor market could have people considering a contingency plan.²

Meanwhile, artificial intelligence is a frequent topic among businesses: AI was mentioned in 287 earnings calls of S&P 500 companies between mid-June and early September, setting a 10-year high.³ On the employment front, job descriptions that listed at least one AI skill requirement saw a 28% salary increase over other jobs — and that grew to 43% for roles requiring two AI skills.⁴

With almost a third (31%) of people owing their current job to their personal connections,  AI could be used to boost the strength of a professional network. Leveraging a chatbot or AI-enhanced tool may help those pushing forward on a job search — or perhaps growing their presence to stay one step ahead.

Polish a professional profile

AI has been helping professionals put their best face forward on a digital resume or online profile. Compared to hundreds of dollars on average for a headshot done by a studio or professional photographer, people using AI services can spend less than $50 to enhance a selfie they already have on hand.⁵

An Empower study found that 46% of American workers are using AI to help build or edit their resume. After a chatbot reviews a writeup on work experience, it could quickly call out specific keywords to include or suggest how to tailor the paragraphs for a certain audience.

Read more: Half of Americans feel more comfortable using AI in their finances now, compared to a year ago

Beyond what’s available from a free chatbot, people are also paying to expand their AI toolkit. In 2024, Microsoft’s LinkedIn social network made $2 billion in revenue from its premium subscriptions. The paid products include AI tools that aren’t available in the free experience, and 40% of subscribers take advantage of the features.⁶

Keep up with industry moves

Generative AI accesses a wealth of knowledge across industries in seconds. As flexible work arrangements have become more visible post-pandemic, some networking events and classes have added virtual formats. Asking AI to search for both in-person conferences in specific locations along with online events can expand the menu of professional development choices — which can also fit around an existing schedule. In addition to presentations, these types of events often have times for more casual chats, which can open doors for finding a professional mentor.

Read more: How mentorship can recharge careers and finances

Networking can also involve getting to know a different area of the economy, as people have used a job search to branch out into a new space. For job switchers from 2022 to 2024, 64% fully changed their career as well.⁷ With the ability to search across industry publications, AI can produce digests of companies’ key happenings, including updates around mergers and acquisitions, layoffs, and new product launches. People can then dive deeper into the information and better understand the landscape of their current or potential job scene.

Prepare with AI coaching

AI’s question-answer approach lends itself to ongoing conversations, and people looking for feedback can get results quickly. Professionals looking to hone their presentation skills can use AI to act out mock interviews or provide insightful questions to answer, to build confidence and gain practice in the comfort of home.

Google’s Interview Warmup AI tool can be used to provide insights on specific talking points, though in addition to its namesake, it’s also worthwhile for existing professionals to get more familiar with talking about themselves or their industry.⁸ People who have an event on the calendar can get more experience with small talk and ice-breakers — no awkwardness needed.

Face time has taken on new meaning as job interviews increasingly combine technology and in-person presence. For people looking for more feedback, an AI tool like Huru allows users to upload a specific job description — such as for a dream job or a higher level of a current role — and it creates a custom set of interview questions. After analyzing both the voice and video recording, people can get a detailed breakdown on both what they’re talking about and how they’re presenting themselves.⁹

Power up with AI

Today’s workers have an appetite for AI: 63% of people have not received AI-specific training, but they’re interested in receiving it, according to Empower research. Using AI to build a personal network can make the networking process more efficient — while forging confidence with the technology and stretching a person’s willingness to learn.