Is LinkedIn premium worth it for job seekers?

With unemployment rates still high after the pandemic, many job seekers are wondering if investing in LinkedIn Premium is worth the money. LinkedIn Premium provides extra features beyond the free version, but is it necessary to land your next job? Here’s what you need to know about LinkedIn Premium and whether it can benefit your job search.

What Does LinkedIn Premium Offer?

LinkedIn Premium has several features that go beyond the free version of LinkedIn. Here are some of the key benefits of LinkedIn Premium:

• See who’s viewed your profile – Find out who the most recent visitors to your profile are so you can focus your networking efforts.
• Advanced profile filtering – Use more filters such as years of experience and company size to narrow your LinkedIn search results.
• Unlimited InMail messages – Send direct messages to anyone on LinkedIn, even if you’re not connected.
• Premium badge on profile – Display a Premium badge on your profile to stand out.
• Expanded network reach – Grow your network by connecting with people outside your connections’ networks.
• Premium job postings – Apply to job listings only visible to Premium members.
• Interview preparation – Get tips on preparing for interviews and insight into the interview process at specific companies.
• Salary insights – See salary ranges for positions to negotiate better.

These expanded features allow Premium members to get more value out of LinkedIn for networking, personal branding, and job searching compared to free members.

How Much Does LinkedIn Premium Cost?

LinkedIn Premium is available on a monthly or annual subscription basis. Here are the current pricing options:

The Premium Career plan has all the core features job seekers need. The other plans offer additional benefits tailored towards business marketing and sales prospecting.

Purchasing an annual subscription reduces the monthly cost by about 20%. Many job seekers find it’s worthwhile to pay annually since their job search may take several months.

Pros of LinkedIn Premium for Job Seekers

Here are some of the key upsides of using Premium for your job search:

Expanded Networking Opportunities

Recruiters and hiring managers are far more likely to notice and respond to someone in their extended network compared to a complete stranger. LinkedIn Premium lets you connect with 3rd degree connections, significantly expanding your networking reach.

The ability to see who’s viewed your profile allows you to focus your outreach on those most interested in you as a candidate. Unlimited InMail also helps you directly contact more professionals at a company to increase your visibility.

Easier Identification of Target Companies and Roles

Advanced filtering and searching capabilities on Premium accounts make it easier to identify ideal employers and roles. You can filter searches by years of experience, company size, location, and other factors vital in your job search.

The premium badge on your profile may catch the eye of recruiters searching LinkedIn. Displaying your ambition and commitment can make you stand out from the crowd.

Insights Into Hiring Processes and Salaries

Premium members gain exclusive access to interview tips and salary ranges for specific companies and positions. This inside information allows you to better prepare for interviews and negotiate salaries.

Rather than going in blind, you can leverage insights from other members to excel during the hiring process. Information is power when it comes to landing your next job.

Access to Premium-Only Job Listings

Some companies post job listings exclusively for Premium members only. Premium gives you special access to these unadvertised roles. This can be a great way to get a jump start on a position before it’s publicly posted.

Along with exclusive job listings, Premium members can apply to positions with a click of a button by using Apply with LinkedIn. This increases the chances your application gets viewed compared to going through a traditional ATS.

Cons of LinkedIn Premium for Job Seekers

While LinkedIn Premium offers some advantages, there are also a few potential drawbacks to consider:

Cost

The monthly cost may be prohibitive if you’re currently unemployed or on a tight budget. While Premium has useful features, it’s still possible to find a job with just a free account.

Time Commitment

Leveraging all the capabilities of Premium takes significant time and effort. If not used actively, you may not get the full value from the paid features.

Information Overload

The wealth of information on Premium accounts can sometimes become overwhelming. It’s easy to get lost scrolling through profiles and job postings. Staying focused on your goals is key.

No Guarantee of Success

At the end of the day, Premium provides tools to enhance your job search but doesn’t guarantee you’ll land a job. You still need to put in the hard work of crafting a strong resume, networking, and interviewing well.

Should You Use LinkedIn Premium to Find a Job?

Here are some best practices on how to determine if Premium is worthwhile for your job search:

• Assess how much time you’ll realistically invest in leveraging Premium features. The more active you are, the more value it will provide.
• Consider what stage you’re at in your career. Premium tends to provide more value to job seekers with 5+ years of experience.
• Determine if you can afford Premium. Don’t go into debt, but if the cost is reasonable for your budget it may be worth investing in.
• Use Premium for a month or two to test it out. You can always cancel your subscription if you don’t find enough benefits.
• Compare against other job hunting expenses. Premium costs less than most career coaches or resume writing services.

Here are a few scenarios where Premium is more likely to pay off:

• You’re an active LinkedIn user looking to transition to a new career or role.
• Your target companies and positions are best discovered through advanced LinkedIn searching.
• You want insights to Ace interviews at specific companies.
• You have limited professional connections and need to expand your network.
• You have budget for Premium and time to leverage the features.

On the other hand, free LinkedIn may be sufficient if:

• You’re on a tight budget or early in your career.
• You already have a strong professional network established.
• You’re looking for entry-level or hourly roles unlikely to be on Premium.
• You have limited time to dedicate to your job search.
• You already have the inside track at target companies through your network.

Tips for Using LinkedIn Premium for Your Job Search

Here are some recommendations to maximize your chances of success if you do invest in Premium:

Set Aside Time Each Week

Consistently block out time every week to leverage Premium – don’t let your subscription go to waste! An hour or two per week is often sufficient time to unlock the benefits.

Fill Out Your Profile Completely

A well-rounded 100% complete profile will get you noticed much more compared to an empty profile. Premium offers profile building tips to guide you.

Focus on Quality Connections

It’s better to have 50 meaningful connections than 500 random ones. Target relevant connections at companies you want to work for.

Actively Engage Your Connections

Comment on updates, share articles, and offer help to connections to strengthen relationships. This builds goodwill for when you need career advice.

Track Your Applications and Follow Up

Use Premium’s tools to organize the jobs you apply for and follow up with the hiring manager. Persistence pays off.

Research Companies and Interviewers

Leverage insider information on companies and interview prep to showcase your passion and preparation as a candidate.

Cancel After Finding a Job

You likely don’t need Premium after landing a job, unless you plan to keep networking. Downgrade to free to save money.

The Bottom Line

LinkedIn Premium provides useful tools that can improve your networking capabilities, visibility to recruiters, and insights on target roles and companies. However, it’s not a silver bullet. You still need to put in the hard work on your resume, interview prep, and outreach.

Carefully consider whether you have the time and budget to fully leverage Premium’s capabilities. Use the free trial period to test it out and see if the features align with your needs. With the right approach, LinkedIn Premium can provide a worthwhile boost for some job seekers in their search.