In today’s competitive job market, job seekers are looking for any edge they can get. One tool that is growing in popularity is LinkedIn Premium, the paid subscription service from the professional networking platform LinkedIn. With premium features like being able to see who has viewed your profile, expanded searching and messaging capabilities, and access to online courses, many job seekers wonder if upgrading to LinkedIn Premium will help them land their next job.
What is LinkedIn Premium?
LinkedIn Premium is the paid version of LinkedIn that provides expanded features and capabilities beyond the free basic account. There are three levels of LinkedIn Premium:
- Premium Career – $29.99/month
- Premium Business – $49.99/month
- Premium Sales – $64.99/month
Some of the key features included with LinkedIn Premium include:
- See who has viewed your profile
- Send InMail messages to anyone, even if you’re not connected
- Browse profiles anonymously
- Get insights on how your profile is being discovered
- Take unlimited premium online courses
- Get access to premium job postings
The higher-tier Premium packages include features like larger InMail allotments, customized recommendations, and more profile views.
Benefits of LinkedIn Premium for Job Seekers
There are several ways that upgrading to LinkedIn Premium can benefit job seekers in their search:
Expanded profile views
With Premium, you can see the names and titles of everyone who has viewed your profile recently. This allows you to target and focus your networking efforts on people that have already shown interest.
InMail messaging
The InMail messaging system allows Premium members to directly contact anyone on LinkedIn, even if they’re not in your immediate network. This makes it easier to reach out to hiring managers and recruiters at target companies.
Anonymous browsing
The anonymous browsing feature lets you research people and companies without revealing yourself. This can be helpful for discreetly learning more about your potential future manager or team before applying.
Premium job postings
Many companies post jobs for Premium members only. Upgrading gives you exclusive access to these premium-only postings for your job search.
Skill assessments
Premium includes access to skill assessment quizzes that allow you to validate your knowledge and abilities. Having verified skills can enhance your profile and applications.
Online courses
With Premium, you can take LinkedIn Learning courses for free. These can help you gain skills and certifications to make your resume stand out.
Potential Drawbacks of LinkedIn Premium
While LinkedIn Premium offers some advantages, there are also a few potential drawbacks to weigh:
Cost
The monthly or annual cost of a Premium subscription may be prohibitive for some job seekers. The expanded features come at a price, so you’ll have to decide if the extra capabilities are worth the ongoing expense.
Time commitment
To get the most out of Premium, you’ll need to devote time to building out your profile, connecting with people, taking courses, and applying features. It requires effort beyond just having the subscription.
No guarantee
At the end of the day, having a Premium account does not guarantee you’ll land a job. You still need to put in the work on applications, interviews, and networking. Premium provides tools, but not direct results.
Tips for Using LinkedIn Premium to Find a Job
Here are some best practices for job seekers to leverage LinkedIn Premium most effectively:
Complete your profile
Fill out all sections, include media, get recommendations, verify skills, and link other profiles to build an impressive overall presence.
Research target companies
Use Premium features like anonymous browsing to thoroughly research your desired companies and gain insights before applying.
Connect with recruiters
Search for and reach out to recruiters, hiring managers, and employees at companies of interest to expand your network.
Follow companies
Follow relevant companies to get updates on new jobs and news to inform your applications.
Apply to premium postings
Look for and apply to jobs designated for Premium members only to take advantage of exclusive access.
Take online courses
Take LinkedIn Learning courses related to your field to boost your knowledge and skills for applications and interviews.
Ask for recommendations
Request new recommendations specifically focused on abilities relevant to the jobs you’re seeking.
Promote yourself
Leverage features like Open Candidates to signal that you’re open and proactively get in front of recruiters.
Alternatives to LinkedIn Premium
If paying for LinkedIn Premium isn’t viable for you, there are some free alternatives to boost your job search:
Build your network
Focus on organically growing your high-quality connections with relevant professionals in your field.
Research companies
Many companies have pages showing available positions even without Premium access. You can still research open roles.
Use free job boards
Sites like Indeed, ZipRecruiter, and Glassdoor offer tons of job listings for free to supplement your search.
Leverage other sites
Expand beyond just LinkedIn by engaging communities on Facebook Groups, Slack channels, Reddit forums, and GitHub to make connections.
Check company websites
Look for open positions directly on company career pages, rather than just relying on LinkedIn jobs.
Partner with recruiters
Work with recruiters at staffing agencies who can advocate for you with their networks for free.
Attend networking events
Go to industry conferences, local meetups, workshops, and events to meet potential connections and opportunities.
Get creative
Consider unique ways to get noticed by target companies, like sharing relevant content, making referrals, or offering your expertise.
The Bottom Line
At the end of the day, a LinkedIn Premium account should be seen as one additional tool in your job search toolbox, but not the only factor determining your success. While the expanded features can provide some advantages, you still need to put in the hard work of networking, prep, interviewing, and determination.
For some job seekers, the cost may not provide enough value to justify the price tag. But for others, features like seeing profile viewers, InMail messaging, and premium job postings may offer that extra edge when used strategically.
The key is experimenting during your free trial period to see if the capabilities align with and enhance your personal job search process. If you find Premium features accelerating and augmenting your efforts, the subscription cost may very well be worth it. But there are also plenty of free alternatives you can leverage if needed.
Like most things in the job hunt process, so much depends on the specific nuances of your field, location, experience level, and individual circumstances. You’ll need to assess your own needs and priorities to decide if upgrading to LinkedIn Premium will provide the boost you need to land your next opportunity.
| LinkedIn Premium Features | Benefits for Job Seekers |
|---|---|
| See profile viewers | Lets you see who has looked at your profile to focus networking outreach |
| InMail messages | Directly contact anyone, even those outside your network |
| Anonymous profile viewing | Research people and companies discreetly |
| Premium-only job postings | Access exclusive job listings |
| Skill assessments | Validate your knowledge and abilities |
| Online courses | Build skills and get certifications |
Conclusion
LinkedIn Premium can be a useful upgrade for some job seekers who leverage the expanded features strategically. But it should be considered one enhancement among many other free and low-cost tools at your disposal. Assess your specific needs and priorities first before deciding if the benefits are worth the monthly or annual costs. With or without Premium, putting in the hard work is what will ultimately land you that next great job opportunity.
