Finding a job can be challenging, and LinkedIn Premium offers special features to help job seekers. It provides better visibility, direct messaging through InMail, and access to job insights.
These tools can increase your chances of getting hired faster. However, the cost may not be worth it for everyone. Some users benefit from Premium, while others find the free version enough.
Your decision should depend on your career goals, job search needs, and budget. In this guide, we will explore the costs and benefits of LinkedIn Premium for job seekers.
Quick Answer
Yes, LinkedIn Premium can be worth it. For those looking for jobs and growing their network, it’s useful. LinkedIn Premium lets you use InMail and advanced search filters. Additionally, you can see who saw your profile.
Premium may make a major impact if you’re committed to improving your profession. If you use LinkedIn just casually, then the free version might be all you need. It depends on your goals!
What is LinkedIn Premium?
Paid LinkedIn Premium is an alternate version for LinkedIn users. LinkedIn Premium offers advanced features. Anyone on LinkedIn can see who has seen their LinkedIn profile and connect with more people.
Users can also message anyone on LinkedIn from anywhere. It offers learning courses, job insights, and salary details. There are different plans for job seekers, professionals, and businesses.
LinkedIn Premium features give better networking and career opportunities. The LinkedIn Premium badge on your profile helps LinkedIn members stand out and grow in their industry.
However, investing in a LinkedIn Premium account depends on the needs of all LinkedIn Premium users.
You Can Also Read: What Are LinkedIn Impressions & Why Do They Matter?
The Difference Between LinkedIn Free & LinkedIn Premium
Basic vs Paid Features
LinkedIn is free and offers basic networking tools. Users can create profiles, connect with others, and apply for jobs. LinkedIn Premium is a paid version of LinkedIn with extra features like direct messaging, profile insights, and advanced job search tools. Here is a LinkedIn Premium vs Free Comparison Chart:
| Feature | Free LinkedIn | LinkedIn Premium |
|---|---|---|
| InMail Messaging | Only to 1st-degree connections | Send messages to anyone, even without a connection |
| Who Viewed Your Profile | Limited view (last 1–2 visitors) | See all viewers from the last 90 days |
| Job Insights | Basic job listings | Salary estimates, applicant comparisons, trends |
| Featured Applicant Status | Not available | Stand out in job applications |
| LinkedIn Learning Courses | Not included | Full access to thousands of courses |
| Company Insights | Limited | In-depth company growth, hiring data |
| Advanced Search Filters | Basic filters | Filter by company size, experience, industry |
| Ad-Free Experience | Ads included | Clean, distraction-free browsing |
| Access to Premium Jobs | Limited | Early access to premium job postings |
| Increased Profile Visibility | Standard search appearance | Priority visibility in recruiter searches |
| Plans Available | One free plan | Career, Business, Sales Navigator, Recruiter Lite |
Profile Views
On the free version of LinkedIn, you can see only limited profile views. LinkedIn Premium allows you to see everyone who has viewed your profile during the past 90 days. This helps in networking and career growth.
Messaging Options
The basic LinkedIn plan offers messaging only between connected users. LinkedIn Premium career plan offers InMail. This premium business plan lets you send messages to anyone on LinkedIn, even if they are not in your network.
Job Search Benefits
Free LinkedIn users can apply for jobs but have limited insights. LinkedIn Premium subscribers get job alerts, salary insights, and the chance to stand out to recruiters.
Learning & Courses
LinkedIn Premium provides access to LinkedIn Learning. Users can take professional LinkedIn learning courses to improve their skills and career opportunities. Free LinkedIn does not include these features and benefits.
Cost & Subscription
LinkedIn is free for all users. The paid business plan has different LinkedIn Premium plans with monthly fees, depending on the features you need.
Best Choice for Users
A free LinkedIn account is good for basic networking and job searching. LinkedIn Premium is best for professionals who want advanced tools, career growth, and better job opportunities.
Key Features of LinkedIn Premium
When you’re using LinkedIn, you will find out that extra features are available on LinkedIn Premium. This helps professionals to advance their professions. It offers events like learning classes, direct texting, and advanced job search.
There are a few key features that Premium LinkedIn will recommend to you. Here, you can look at what LinkedIn Premium offers:
InMail Messaging
LinkedIn Premium business may send in-mail communications to those who are not linked to your network. This helps contacts with industry leaders, possible customers, or LinkedIn recruiters. Free users can only message their connections.
Advanced Job Insights
LinkedIn Premium subscription gives you detailed job insights. You can see salary estimates, applicant comparisons, and job market trends. This helps in applying for the right jobs and negotiating salaries.
LinkedIn Learning Access
Premium users of LinkedIn Learning get free access to courses. These courses address programming, marketing, and leadership, as well as other abilities. This make LinkedIn Premium the best option that helps professionals improve their knowledge and career growth.
Featured Applicant Status
LinkedIn Premium makes your job applications stand out to recruiters. When you apply for a job, your profile shows up at the top. This improves the possibility of being employed quickly.
Company Insights
Premium users get in-depth details about companies. You can see company growth trends, hiring patterns, and key employees. By leverage LinkedIn Premium, it helps in better job searching and business opportunities.
More Search Filters
LinkedIn Premium allows advanced search filters for networking. You can filter by industry, job title, location, and company size. It helps you to identify the appropriate persons to interact with.
Ad-Free Experience
The premium members of LinkedIn consider it free of advertisements. This guarantees a better and distraction-free platform experience.
Different Premium Plans
LinkedIn Premium offers different plans based on user needs. Strategies call for Premium Career, Business, Sales Navigator, and Recruiter Lite. Every plan offers special advantages for companies, job seekers, and recruiters.
Benefits of LinkedIn Premium for Job Seekers
LinkedIn Premium promotes job seekers in searches and helps them stand out. It provides tools for increasing applications, getting in touch with recruiters, and learning.
More Visibility to Recruiters
Premium users appear at the top of recruiter searches. Your profile gets a “Featured Applicant” tag. It raises your chances of visibility. LinkedIn Recruiter Lite is more likely to get in touch with employment prospects.
Access to Premium Job Listings
Some job postings are only for premium users. You get early access to new job openings. This gives you a head start before others apply. It helps you find better opportunities faster.
InMail Messages to Contact Recruiters
Premium gives you InMail credits to message recruiters directly. You can access recruiting officials even without any connections. It raises your chances of obtaining a reply. This helps you build strong professional connections.
See Who Viewed Your Profile
Everyone who viewed your profile throughout the past ninety days is shown here. This clarifies which companies show interest in you. You can reach out to recruiters who checked your profile. It improves your networking and job search strategy.
Salary Insights for Better Negotiation
Premium gives you access to salary insights for different jobs. You can compare salaries based on location and experience. This helps you negotiate better pay. You can set realistic salary expectations before applying.
LinkedIn Learning for Skill Development
Courses for job searchers on LinkedIn Learning are free. In marketing, IT, leadership, and more, you can choose fresh abilities. If you add certifications to your profile, this makes you more attractive to employers. It helps you grow professionally while searching for a job.
Advanced Job Search Filters
Premium users can filter job searches by salary, company size, and more. This makes job hunting easier and faster. There are job opportunities where your background and qualifications fit. It boosts your job hunt and saves time.
Benefits of LinkedIn Premium for Business Professionals
LinkedIn Premium benefits companies to expand their network, pursue better employment prospects, and get insights. It provides a lot of instruments that enable experts to succeed.
Better Networking Opportunities
LinkedIn Premium allows you to connect with more people. You can send messages to anyone using InMail. It helps you reach potential clients or employers. You also see who viewed your profile, helping you connect with the right people.
Advanced Job Search Features
It gives you access to exclusive job listings. You can apply to jobs before others see them. Your profile appears at the top for recruiters. It also offers interview preparation tools to help you succeed.
More Profile Visibility
Your profile shines with LinkedIn Premium. Applying for a job leads to a “Featured Applicant” tag. Recruiters view your application first. Searches for your profile show a higher frequency, which improves your chances of being observed.
Access to Learning Courses
Premium users get free access to LinkedIn Learning. You can learn new skills anytime. There are courses on leadership, marketing, and more. These courses help you grow in your career.
Detailed Insights and Analytics
It reveals details about your job applications and profile views. Your comparison with other candidates is clear. It clarifies which skills you should work on. This information makes your job search more effective.
Stronger Sales and Lead Generation
Sales professionals can find more leads using LinkedIn Premium. It provides detailed customer insights. You can reach decision-makers faster. When it comes to the LinkedIn Premium plan, it helps in closing more deals and growing your business.
Ad-Free Browsing Experience
LinkedIn Premium members who subscribe can experience LinkedIn free of advertising. This makes browsing smooth and distraction-free. You can focus on networking and job searching. It improves your overall experience on LinkedIn.
Exclusive Business Insights
You get access to company insights and industry trends. This helps in making smart business decisions. You can see how companies are growing and hiring. It gives you a competitive edge in your field.
Higher InMail Limits
InMail lets you message people outside your connections. With the best version of LinkedIn Premium, you get more InMail credits. This helps in reaching top professionals. It increases your chances of getting a response.
Better ROI for Recruiters
Recruiters can find better candidates using advanced search filters. They can contact top talent directly. Premium makes hiring faster and easier. This supports companies in building an experienced staff.
Is LinkedIn Premium Worth the Money?
The premium account on LinkedIn offers free-of-cost benefits. Let’s examine the benefits it offers to company leaders and job seekers:
Cost vs. LinkedIn Premium Benefits Analysis
The cost of LinkedIn Premium varies by plan. Some customers find it costly. However, if it gets you hired or calls clients, it might be well worth it. Job seekers get more visibility to recruiters.
While business professionals can grow their network and connections. If these benefits help you achieve your goals, then the cost of LinkedIn Premium is worth the investment.
Real-Life Examples
Many professionals have shared success stories. A marketing manager used Premium to reach recruiters and got a job in two weeks. A sales executive found new leads and increased sales. These examples show that LinkedIn Premium works when used effectively.
When It’s Worth the Investment in LinkedIn Premium
Whether LinkedIn Premium is worth the cost and is useful in many cases:
- For users actively looking for work, more visibility is essential
- LinkedIn Learning allows you to pick up fresh skills.
- You should get in touch with important sector decision-makers to grow your network.
- When you are a salesperson, you must have leads to expand your company.
When It’s Not Worth the Investment in LinkedIn Premium
For some users, investing in LinkedIn Premium may not be necessary:
- If you are just starting your career and have few connections.
- When you are not actively looking for a job or clients.
- If you use LinkedIn only for basic networking.
- When you don’t need advanced analytics or LinkedIn InMail messages.
LinkedIn Premium Alternatives
LinkedIn Premium is helpful, but other platforms also offer great features. Some are free, while others require payment. Here are the best alternatives.
1. Indeed (Free & Paid)
Indeed is great for job seekers. It has free job listings and resume uploads. The paid version gives better visibility to your resume. It is easy to use for job searching.
2. Glassdoor (Free & Paid)
Glassdoor helps you find jobs and provides company reviews. You can see salaries and interview experiences in free trial. The paid version gives more company insights. It is simple to use.
3. Xing (Free & Paid)
Xing is popular in Europe for networking. The free version allows basic connections. The paid version offers job alerts and profile boosts. It is easy to navigate.
4. Meetup (Free & Paid)
Meetup is good for professional networking. It helps you find local events and groups. The free version gives limited access. The paid version lets you host events. It is easy to use.
5. Jobcase (Free & Paid)
Jobcase is useful for all job levels. It offers free job searches and networking. The premium version provides career coaching. It is simple to use for job seekers.
6. Sharp (Free & Paid)
Sharp serves for networking like Tinder. It helps you find professionals with similar interests. The free version has limited matches. The paid version offers unlimited connections. You can use it rather easily.
How Much Does LinkedIn Premium Cost?
For job searchers, business professionals, salespeople, and recruiters, LinkedIn Premium provides several options.
LinkedIn Premium pricing and characteristics are different for every plan. First, you can use the free trial for its premium plan and then invest in LinkedIn Premium depends on your needs.
1. Premium Career ($29.99/month)
This plan is best for job seekers. LinkedIn Premium provides tools that help your profile stand out to recruiters. You get five InMail messages to contact hiring managers directly.
You can discover who visited your profile in the previous 90 days. This improves your chances of being recruited sooner. It also offers salary insights and interview preparation resources.
2. Premium Business ($59.99/month)
Professionals and entrepreneurs will find significant value in this strategy. It offers unlimited searches and detailed business insights. You get 15 InMail messages to connect with potential clients or partners.
It helps in expanding your network. You also see how you compare to others in your industry. It is ideal for growing your business and increasing visibility. All these benefits are available with a LinkedIn Premium plan.
3. Sales Navigator Core ($79.99/month)
The LinkedIn Sales Navigator plan is designed for sales professionals. For LinkedIn lead generation and company searching, the best LinkedIn Premium plan can provide you with advanced filters.
You get 50 InMail messages to connect with potential customers. The plan also offers real-time sales insights and lead recommendations.
It helps in building strong business relationships. This is perfect for increasing sales and finding new clients.
4. Recruiter Lite ($134.99/month)
LinkedIn Premium varies based on recruiters who want to find top talent. It includes powerful search filters to discover the best candidates. You get 30 InMail messages to contact job seekers directly.
It provides smart recommendations and hiring insights. You can track and manage applicants easily. It is useful for companies looking to hire the best employees quickly.
Conclusion
Job seekers may find LinkedIn Premium useful. It offers access to limited employment openings and raises profile exposure. Features like InMail and pay information help job search success.
LinkedIn Learning lets you pick up fresh skills. But the free edition may be useful if you are not actively seeking a job. If you make good use of the features, the expenses are justified.
It might be a wise investment if it helps you get employed sooner. With all the benefits, you will understand the value of LinkedIn Premium.
