If I had a dollar for every time a client said,
“I applied to 47 jobs this week!”
…only to follow it up with,
“Yeah, just clicked Easy Apply on LinkedIn,”

I’d be typing this from a beach.

Let’s talk about a small shift that’s making a big difference in client outcomes.

Over the last few months, I’ve noticed something across multiple coaching engagements: clients are getting more traction when they don’t use LinkedIn’s Easy Apply feature.

Easy Apply isn’t always helpful. In fact, it might be one of the biggest reasons your clients aren’t hearing back.

Clients who skip the shortcut and apply directly on the company website seem to be getting better results.

More responses.
More interviews.
More traction.

Do I fully understand LinkedIn’s algorithm? Nope.
Do I need to? Also nope.

Because the outcomes speak for themselves.

I saw this graphic from Ashby recently, which correlates.

Easy Apply Is a Vortex

I don’t know where those applications go.
And neither do you.

Some recruiter inbox?
A third-party ATS that filters 90% out before a human ever sees it?
An intern’s to-do list that’s three weeks behind?

No clue.

But I do know this: when my clients take the extra 3 minutes to apply on the company’s actual site, they land in a different pile.

Not the “convenient but crowded” pile. The “we noticed you” pile.

Check out this post from a recruiter which goes into more detail about why this happens.

How to Coach Around This

This isn’t just about telling clients what to do differently.
It’s about changing how we define progress.

Try this:

🔹 Shift the KPI’s
Instead of “How many jobs did you apply to this week?”
Ask, “How many intentional applications did you submit?”

🔹 Educate them
Let them know LinkedIn Easy Apply is easy for everyone.
It doesn’t differentiate. It dilutes.
And your client’s value deserves better than that.

🔹 Push for depth over speed
If they find a role they’re genuinely excited about, guide them to slow down.
Apply directly. Tailor. Make it count.

🔹 Track the difference
Have them keep a simple log. Note where they applied and how.
Over a few weeks, they’ll see the pattern — and it’ll speak louder than you ever could.

And when they do, that’s a turning point.
That’s a coaching win.

Let’s Not Be Algorithm Apologists

We don’t need to decode LinkedIn’s backend to do our jobs well.
We just need to pay attention.

Easy Apply might feel productive, but it’s not strategic.
And as coaches, that’s our lane — helping clients shift from scattershot effort to intentional movement.

You can’t apply for them.
You can’t make the phone ring.
But you can help them show up in a way that stands out, not just shows up.

Have you been seeing this trend too?
Tell me what you’ve been noticing — I’d love to compare notes.

Talk soon,
Heather

P.S.
I’m building a highly vetted directory of career coaches — the kind I’d confidently refer clients to.

If you’re doing great work and want to be part of it, I’d love to hear from you.

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