Is LinkedIn Premium Worth It? An In-Depth Guide for Job Seekers

So you're wondering, "Is LinkedIn Premium worth it?"

While many subscriptions seem like they're just out to snag your hard-earned cash, LinkedIn Premium might be the game-changer for your job hunt. 

Tailored with the needs of job seekers and business leaders in mind, this premium service is a gold mine of advanced tools that can fuel your professional growth (even if your budget is tight).

Investing in yourself in today's market is more important than ever. And with LinkedIn Premium, you may find the extra boost you need to stand out from the competition. 

So, get ready, and let's explore the benefits of LinkedIn Premium to determine if it's worthwhile to allocate a portion of your budget for this service.

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What is LinkedIn Premium?

LinkedIn Premium is a paid subscription provided through the platform that offers added benefits on top of the basic plan. It gives users additional capabilities like InMail messages to out-of-network individuals (so you can do things like use LinkedIn to connect with recruiters), comparative applicant data, insight into your profile views, sales navigator, advanced search filters, and more. 

With a LinkedIn Premium subscription, you're able to build meaningful connections— expanding your visibility beyond your immediate network.

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How much does LinkedIn Premium cost?

Wondering about the price tag? Let's break down the cost and features so you know exactly what to expect.

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LinkedIn Free

With the free version of LinkedIn, you can't send messages to people you aren't connected with, see everyone who's viewed your profile, or access unlimited searches. But here's what you can do: 

• Request and provide recommendations
• Receive unlimited InMail messages
• Save three or fewer searches (with weekly alerts)

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LinkedIn Premium Career plan

Now, if you opt for Premium Career ($39.99/month), you'll get access to valuable perks, like:

• Request and provide recommendations
• Receive unlimited InMail messages
• Five InMail messages per month
• Applicant insights (how you rank up against other applicants) 
• Who viewed your profile 
• Who's viewed your profile insights (past 90 days) 
• 16,000+ LinkedIn Learning courses
• Full access to Interview Preparation tools

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LinkedIn Premium Business plan

Now, if you opt for Premium Business ($44.99/month when billed annually), you'll get access to all of the perks found in the Career plan, plus:

• Open profile
• Unlimited people browsing
• Company insights 
• 15 InMail messages per month
• Who's viewed your profile (past 365 days)

Pro Tip: Be mindful that the price tag of $44.99/month for LinkedIn Premium Business is only when you opt for annual billing. If you choose to pay monthly, that price jumps to $69.99/month. Always check back on the price, as they do offer promotions from time to time.

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How do job seekers use LinkedIn Premium?

A LinkedIn Premium account propels job seekers towards career advancement with a variety of features, offering a distinct edge in today's competitive job market. 

While you can ask for LinkedIn recommendation requests to boost your credibility with a free LinkedIn account, you just have ten searches available monthly (and can only send a message to individuals with a mutual connection), significantly limiting your networking capabilities. 

So if you're looking to get more out of the platform than just sharing that you're #OpenToWork on LinkedIn, it's time to dive in and learn how to leverage Premium's features to enhance your visibility, expand your messaging capabilities, and access valuable analytics to maximize your professional opportunities and cultivate meaningful connections.

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Benefits of LinkedIn Premium

Is LinkedIn Premium worth it? Let's dig into benefits of LinkedIn Premium worth the squeeze and how the paid tool empowers professionals (like you!) to connect and grow in their careers.

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Expand your network and connect through InMail messages

When you're in the midst of your job search, every new connection counts.  

InMail enables direct communication, allowing you to make personalized connections and stand out from the crowd. 

LinkedIn InMail can be a game-changer for networking with industry leaders and connecting with others in your field. InMail allows you to send direct messages to professionals outside your network—opening doors to more opportunities. 

So, what do your recipients see? Well, InMail messages tell the recipient who you are and allows them easily see your professional background. Within this context, InMail is more effective than a cold email. In fact, according to LinkedIn, they're actually 4.6 times more effective than a standard email.

Pro Tip: If you're worried about what to say when reaching out through InMail, try using an AI tool like Google Gemini or ChatGPT to help.

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Apply as a featured applicant

With LinkedIn Premium, you're able to see recommendations for roles where you'd be a top applicant. You can also apply for jobs as a "Featured Applicant," helping you stand out from the competition.

This feature highlights you beyond the LinkedIn #OpentoWork posts, putting you in the spotlight with hiring managers and significantly enhancing your prospects of securing an interview.

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Know who's viewed your profile

The "Who's Viewed Your Profile" feature provides insight into who's interested in you, helping you identify potential leads or connect with recruiters. It also allows you to gauge interest and tailor your approach accordingly. 

But because you can only see results for a limited amount of time, it's important to save those details somewhere other than LinkedIn. 

The Teal Contracts Tracker stores the contact information of each person you need to remember in one place. You can also set goals and reminders to reach out so you never miss a follow-up message.

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Stay ahead of the curve with LinkedIn Learning

Even if you're still learning how to upload your resume to LinkedIn, you can upskill in various other in-demand competencies to set yourself apart.

Beyond immediate job-seeking benefits, LinkedIn Premium helps professionals set themselves up for long-term success with an extensive library of expert-led courses. 

LinkedIn Learning supports your career (even in the ever-evolving digital shifts in our professional landscape). There's a course for just about anything—helping you stay up-to-date on current best practices and skills for a continued competitive edge.

Pro Tip: If you're only signing up for LinkedIn Premium to access their courses, you should know all you need is a library card for your local public library to access them. 

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Comparative data for competitive analysis

One of the most advantageous features of a LinkedIn Premium account is the extensive data provided on fellow applicants and job postings. 

With access to this competitive intelligence, you can quickly compare the necessary job requirements with your qualifications and skills. 

If you want even more in-depth insight into the skills you'll need to succeed in the role, the Teal AI Resume Builder pulls hard skills, soft skills, and other key language from any job description you save in the Job Application Tracker to measure your effectiveness and provide you with a Match Score.

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This information can help you more confidently present yourself and your unique background for a better interview and strategically make the case as to why you're the best fit for the role.

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Prepare for interviews

Premium's "Interview Preparation" feature is designed to help you develop your interviewing skills, practice a variety of questions, and ultimately help you perform better to land the role of your dreams. It offers common interview questions or the option to focus on questions related to a particular role. 

If you're looking to track your upcoming interviews in one place, add them to your Teal Job Application Tracker and specify the interview date, time, and who you're scheduled to meet with.

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Learning 

One of the major advantages of LinkedIn Learning through a Premium account (or your local public library!) is its wide range of course offerings. 

From technical skills to leadership development, the LinkedIn Learning platform boasts courses tailored specifically for a variety of industries and career paths. This enables professionals to acquire the specific knowledge and competencies necessary to excel in their roles.

The convenience and flexibility of LinkedIn Learning provide considerable value. The platform allows you to learn at your own pace and on your own schedule. The courses are all on demand learning videos created by recognized experts and industry leaders, ensuring that the content is reliable, relevant, and up-to-date.

By completing courses and earning certificates through a Premium account, you can showcase your newfound skills and knowledge on your LinkedIn profile, further enhancing your personal brand as well as your professional credibility and marketability.

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Is LinkedIn Premium worth it?

Yes! LinkedIn Premium is worth it—but only if you have room in your budget.

No matter which plan you choose—LinkedIn Premium Career or LinkedIn Premium Business—LinkedIn Premium offers powerful tools to drive your professional goals forward. From connecting with recruiters and hiring managers to understand where your skills stand in a pool of applicants, if the features match your needs, LinkedIn Premium is worth the price to succeed as long as you can swing it. 

These features, paired with an optimized LinkedIn profile, can skyrocket your career success. A great way to check your LinkedIn profile is to download Teal’s Free Chrome Extension which includes an automated LinkedIn Profile Review. Once you install the extension, just go to your profile page and click on the Teal logo. You’ll see a list of recommendations on how best to optimize your profile and can make updates as needed.

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And, if you want to further multiply the return on any LinkedIn Premium subscription investment, sign up for Teal. Teal not only provides tools for optimizing your LinkedIn profile, but also empowers you to amplify your visibility to hiring managers and much more.