What Is LinkedIn Easy Apply? How It Works and When to Use It

LinkedIn Easy Apply is a feature that lets job seekers apply for open positions using their linkedin profile data with minimal additional input. Instead of being redirected to an external company website to fill out a separate application, you submit your application directly through LinkedIn using your profile information as the foundation. Easy Apply positions are marked with a green Easy Apply button on the job listing.

The feature dramatically reduces the friction of applying for jobs – what might normally take 20-30 minutes to fill out on a company’s ATS system can take under 2 minutes via Easy Apply. However, this lower barrier has significant trade-offs that job seekers should understand before defaulting to it.

How LinkedIn Easy Apply Works

1. Find a job listing on LinkedIn that shows the green Easy Apply button (vs. a blue Apply button which redirects to the company site)
2. Click Easy Apply
3. LinkedIn pre-fills your contact information, work experience, and education from your profile
4. You may be asked to upload a resume (optional in some cases, required in others)
5. Some Easy Apply forms ask screening questions (years of experience, salary expectations, work authorization status, location preferences)
6. Review the information and click Submit application
7. The application is submitted directly to the employer through LinkedIn

The Problem with LinkedIn Easy Apply: Volume Competition

Because Easy Apply is so frictionless, popular job postings can receive hundreds or even thousands of applications within 24 hours of posting. LinkedIn itself has reported that some Easy Apply positions receive 7x more applications than positions that require applying on the company website. This flood of applicants means:

• Recruiters spend less time reviewing each application – often under 10 seconds
• Your LinkedIn profile headline and photo are visible alongside your application and become critical first impressions
• ATS keyword matching becomes more important, not less, since recruiters use filters to reduce volume
• Applications without tailored cover letters are harder to differentiate

When to Use LinkedIn Easy Apply

• When your profile is a strong match for the requirements and you want to apply quickly
• For smaller companies with less structured hiring processes (less ATS filtering)
• When the role is newer (apply within 24 hours of posting when there is less competition)
• For volume applications when testing different role types to see what gets responses

When to Apply on the Company Website Instead

• For highly competitive roles at large companies – a tailored resume and cover letter can differentiate you
• When the role has been posted for more than a week (high competition already exists)
• When you have a strong referral or connection at the company (apply directly and mention the referral)
• Senior or executive-level roles where generic applications are filtered quickly