LinkedIn Premium is LinkedIn’s subscription service that unlocks additional features beyond the free version, such as more InMail messages, advanced search filters, professional learning courses, and insights about profile viewers. While LinkedIn Premium is not completely free for university students, there are discounts available that can lower the cost significantly.
What is LinkedIn Premium?
LinkedIn Premium is LinkedIn’s paid subscription service that provides users with additional features and benefits beyond the free version of LinkedIn. Here are some of the key features of LinkedIn Premium:
- InMail Messages – Send unlimited direct messages to anyone on LinkedIn, even if you’re not connected.
- Profile View Insights – See who has viewed your profile and get analytics on your page views.
- Advanced Profile Filters – Use more filters and criteria to search for relevant profiles and make targeted connections.
- Professional Learning Courses – Access over 15,000 expert-led video courses covering business, creative, and technology topics.
- Salary Insights – Get real-time salary data for specific job titles to help negotiate your salary.
- Interview Preparation – Get tips on preparing for interviews, including potential questions and how to answer them.
LinkedIn Premium costs $29.99 per month for the basic Premium package or $59.99 per month for the Premium Career package with additional features focused on job searching. It can be purchased on a monthly basis or at a discount for an annual subscription.
Is LinkedIn Premium free for students?
Unfortunately LinkedIn Premium is not completely free for students. However, LinkedIn does offer discounted student pricing that can lower the cost of Premium significantly for enrolled university students.
Here are the LinkedIn Premium student discounts available:
- Premium Career (12 months) – $14.99/month instead of $59.99 (75% off)
- Premium Career (1 month) – $19.99/month instead of $59.99 (67% off)
- Premium (12 months) – $9.99/month instead of $29.99 (67% off)
- Premium (1 month) – $14.99/month instead of $29.99 (50% off)
To qualify for the student discounts, you must:
- Be an enrolled student at an accredited university or college
- Verify your student status by uploading proof or having your school email address verified
- Re-verify your student status annually to continue receiving the discounts
While not completely free, these student discounts make Premium much more affordable at just $9.99-$19.99 per month compared to the regular pricing. This can provide excellent value and access to Premium features for students at a fraction of the regular cost.
What university students get with LinkedIn Premium
With the student discount pricing, university students can unlock all the same LinkedIn Premium features available to regular users. This includes:
- InMail Messages – Reach out directly to recruiters, professionals in your field, alumni, and other connections for guidance, job opportunities, internships, and networking.
- Profile View Insights – See what companies and professionals have been looking at your profile and optimize it to attract opportunities.
- Advanced Profile Search – Find the right connections for internships, jobs, projects, clubs, and collaborations using filters like company, title, school, skills, etc.
- Professional Learning Courses – Access over 15,000 courses on business, creative, and technology topics to build your skills and resume.
- Interview Prep – Get tips, sample questions, and guidance directly from LinkedIn to ace your next interview.
Overall, LinkedIn Premium can be a valuable career resource for students at the discounted pricing. The additional features help students network, search for opportunities, develop professional skills, and stand out in the job market after graduation.
How students can get LinkedIn Premium for free
While LinkedIn does not directly offer Premium for free to students, there are a few ways students may be able to access Premium without paying:
- University partnerships – Some universities partner with LinkedIn to offer Premium for free to their students. Check with your school’s career center to see if they offer this.
- Scholarships – LinkedIn sometimes offers scholarships or giveaways for free Premium access. Keep an eye out for any special offers.
- Internship/job perks – Some companies provide interns and employees with free Premium access. Look for this as a potential added benefit.
- Group deals – Student groups or clubs may be able to negotiate group discounts for bulk Premium purchases at a very low cost per student.
While not guaranteed, taking advantage of one of these options may allow you to access LinkedIn Premium for free or very cheap as a student if the standard discounts are still unaffordable.
Professional use cases for students
Here are some of the key ways students can use LinkedIn Premium in a professional context:
Networking
- Join industry and alumni groups to connect with professionals in your desired field.
- Reach out directly to alumni at companies of interest to get referrals and career advice.
- Follow companies and build connections with their employees to stay aware of new opportunities.
Job/Internship Search
- Use advanced filters like titles and companies to find relevant job and internship listings.
- Get insights on hiring managers and leverage mutual connections to get introduced.
- Follow companies you’re interested in and turn on job alerts to be notified of any openings.
Skill Development
- Take courses on topics like data analysis, graphic design, programming languages, business writing, etc.
- Use skill assessments to validate capabilities in areas like Microsoft Office, management, and more.
- Add Visual Assets to your profile to showcase projects, presentations, and creations.
Interview Preparation
- Practice answering likely interview questions and get feedback on your responses.
- Review typical interview formats, questions, and tips specific to your desired roles.
- Research common interview practices and assessments for companies that interest you.
Using LinkedIn Premium strategically can provide a strong edge for students looking to break into competitive fields and roles after graduation.
Tips for students to maximize LinkedIn Premium
Here are some top tips for students to get the most value out of LinkedIn Premium:
Complete your profile 100%
Make sure to fill out all sections of your profile extensively – this will ensure you show up in more recruiter searches.
Engage with content and groups
Comment on posts, share articles, and join groups to expand your reach and build connections.
Follow target companies
Follow companies you want to work for and turn on job notifications to stay on top of any openings.
Build out your network
Use advanced searches to find and connect with professionals, especially alumni from your university.
Use profile view insights
See who’s looked at your profile recently and reach out to introduce yourself and start a dialogue.
Practice interviewing
Use the interview preparation features extensively to polish your interview skills.
Take professional courses
Add new skills and certifications that will make your resume stand out from other applicants.
Research professionals
Use profile filters to find professionals to reach out to for informational interviews and career advice.
Conclusion
While LinkedIn Premium is not completely free for students, the discounted pricing makes it highly valuable and affordable for students looking to maximize their professional presence and opportunities. With smart and strategic use of Premium’s features, students can build impactful networks, develop critical skills, and position themselves for success in their future careers after graduation.