The person leading the world’s largest professional network in the country recently spoke at the Opendir congress in Alicante, underscoring the opportunity that new technologies offer and the reassurance they provide against fears about artificial intelligence.
Has anyone counted how many people land jobs through LinkedIn every day in Spain? The data here is not used directly for Spain, but the global picture shows six contract signings per minute. This highlights how platforms and networks have become central to recruiting, even as traditional methods still matter for certain firms.
Have networks and platforms displaced friends and acquaintances as the primary channels for obtaining employment? Personal contacts continue to work well for many smaller or mid-sized organizations, yet large and multinational companies rely heavily on technology and online platforms for hiring. The shift toward digital talent sourcing is unmistakable.
There is a wide debate about whether the issue is a lack of workers or the absence of better working conditions to attract them. The speaker from the congress suggested that it is not a raw shortage of people, but rather a need to strengthen how talent is identified and utilized. Current hiring practices rely too much on traditional categories, reviews, and career trajectories, while failing to map professionals by skills and abilities. This mismatch helps explain why unemployment can persist even when demand exists for skilled roles.
What are Spanish workers weak in? A culture of continuous learning beyond formal degrees is taking root, but it is not yet ingrained. Steps to stay up to date and to differentiate oneself have not always been part of daily planning for many workers. The focus should shift toward ongoing development as a core career habit.
What should companies do to attract and retain talent? First, they must clearly define the profile they seek. Then they should offer an attractive working environment with flexible work arrangements, solid conditions, stability, and a strong value proposition that is reflected in the company’s image. The appearance and reputation of the organization matter just as much as its compensation packages.
Remote work yes or no? Remote work has proven beneficial over the years, but it is not a universal cure for creating a more flexible and productive workplace. It is one tool among many, alongside collaboration in shared physical spaces. The goal is to broaden the concept of labor flexibility, acknowledging that productivity and well being must go hand in hand. Technology routinely boosts efficiency, yet experimentation continues to reveal what works best in different contexts.
Does remote work create opportunities for mid-sized cities like Alicante that have been distant from leading industries? There is a clear convergence here. Some industries and startups have long understood that talents can relocate or be redirected successfully. The question now is not why Madrid or Barcelona should host key roles, but why not consider other cities such as Vigo, Santander, or Alicante when the right opportunities arise. City centers with rich cultural and culinary offerings are increasingly attractive, reinforcing the appeal of mid-sized cities and a better quality of life. Teleworking is likely to tilt this trend in their favor.
You are talking about a four-day workweek. Will it become common? This remains a tough topic because many sectors tie productivity directly to uptime. If a production line can churn out thousands of units per hour, pausing even briefly matters. Some companies have piloted four-day weeks with positive outcomes, including higher employee satisfaction and at times increased productivity. Widespread adoption may take time, but the direction is headed toward shorter workweeks in many fields, echoing past shifts from six days to five.
How will artificial intelligence shape the job market? AI is another step in productivity-enhancing innovation. The concern about job elimination is not productive; history shows that technology tends to create new roles as it transforms workflows. AI will differentiate professionals based on how they leverage it, rather than replacing entire fields. The key will be embracing automation while upskilling workers to integrate AI into daily tasks. History teaches that a shift from typewriters to word processors brought new capabilities, and today’s AI is just another upgrade in the toolkit. Organizations that adopt and adapt will retain relevance and resilience across industries. [Citation: Opendir Alicante conference and subsequent industry discussions]