LinkedIn Premium: What You Need to Know

Wolves Creative Team
Jan 20, 2024
10 min read

LinkedIn Premium is a subscription-based service offered by LinkedIn that provides users with enhanced features and tools beyond what is available in the free version. In this article, we will explore the benefits of LinkedIn Premium, the different plans available, how to upgrade to LinkedIn Premium, and how to make the most of its features. Here are the key takeaways:

Key Takeaways

LinkedIn Premium offers enhanced features and tools to help users build their personal brand, increase engagement, and grow their following.
There are different LinkedIn Premium plans available, each offering various benefits and features.
To upgrade to LinkedIn Premium, visit the LinkedIn Premium subscription page and choose the plan that suits your needs.
Making the most of LinkedIn Premium involves leveraging features like advanced search filters, InMail messaging, profile view insights, and access to learning courses and certifications.
LinkedIn Premium also provides networking opportunities with industry leaders, exclusive groups, events, and the ability to request introductions.

What is LinkedIn Premium?

Benefits of LinkedIn Premium

LinkedIn Premium offers several different plans tailored to meet the needs of different professionals, including job seekers, business owners, sales professionals, and recruiters. By subscribing to LinkedIn Premium, users gain access to a range of exclusive features and benefits that can help them achieve their professional goals more effectively.

Different LinkedIn Premium Plans

LinkedIn Premium offers several different plans tailored to meet the needs of different professionals, including job seekers, business owners, sales professionals, and recruiters. Each of the plans is designed to help you achieve specific goals and comes with features that align with those objectives. Here's a look at the biggest differences between the plans:

LinkedIn Premium Career: This plan is ideal for job seekers who want to boost their careers, expand their networks, and access exclusive opportunities. It offers features such as InMail credits to improve your communication capabilities.
LinkedIn Premium Business: This plan is targeted at business owners and provides tools to help you grow your business and connect with potential clients. It includes features like advanced search filters to find the right prospects and profile view insights to see who has viewed your profile.
LinkedIn Premium Sales: If you're in sales, this plan is designed for you. It offers features such as InMail credits and the LinkedIn Premium badge to enhance your credibility and visibility.
LinkedIn Premium Recruiter: This plan is tailored for recruiters and offers tools to help you find and connect with top talent. It includes features like advanced search filters and access to job postings.

To determine which LinkedIn Premium plan is best for you, consider your specific goals and the features and benefits that each plan offers.

How to Upgrade to LinkedIn Premium

To upgrade to LinkedIn Premium, follow these simple steps:

Log in to LinkedIn.com.
Click the Me profile icon at the top right of your homepage.
Choose Settings & Privacy from the dropdown menu.
Choose Account preferences on the left pane.
Under Subscriptions & payments, click Change next to Premium Subscription.
Follow the prompts to select a plan that suits your needs.

Remember, you can always take advantage of the one-month free trial to explore the features and benefits of LinkedIn Premium before making a decision. Selecting the best plan for your needs will enhance your LinkedIn experience and help you achieve your professional goals.

Making the Most of LinkedIn Premium

To make the most of LinkedIn Premium, there are a few key strategies you can implement:

Maximize InMail Usage: InMail is a valuable feature of LinkedIn Premium that allows you to send messages to non-connected individuals. Take advantage of this feature by reaching out to potential employers, colleagues, thought leaders, and innovators.
Utilize 'Who's Viewed Your Profile' Feature: Gain insights into who has viewed your profile and use this information to create informal connections. Message those who viewed your profile and seek shared interests or networking opportunities.

Remember, you can always take advantage of the one-month free trial to explore the features and benefits of LinkedIn Premium before making a decision. Assess your professional needs, try the free trial, and determine if the cost truly adds value for you. If so, LinkedIn Premium is worth considering!

Features of LinkedIn Premium

Advanced Search Filters

Utilize advanced filters to narrow down job search results based on location, experience level, and company size. Set up job alerts for specific criteria to receive notifications about new job opportunities that match your preferences. Follow companies of interest to stay updated on their job postings and company updates. Explore the “Jobs” tab for curated job recommendations based on your profile and preferences. Fine-tune your search by managing your job search preferences from one place. Set your preferences for location type, employment type, and more. Use collections to discover more niche verticals and indulge your passions. For example, explore opportunities with startup or small business collections. Take advantage of your Premium free trial when planning a career change to increase your chances of being noticed by hiring managers and quickly assess whether a job is a good match for you.

InMail Messaging

InMail Messaging is a powerful feature on LinkedIn that lets you send messages to people you’re not connected with. It’s like a way to directly talk to someone even if you’re not friends on LinkedIn. You can use InMail to reach out to potential employers, clients, or other professionals you want to connect with. It’s a helpful tool for networking and finding new opportunities in your career or business.

If you’re using a free account on LinkedIn, you’ll notice that you can only send messages to people who are already in your network.

InMail is a feature that allows you to send direct messages to people on LinkedIn without having to send a connection request first. This means you can skip the step of asking someone to be your connection and go straight to sending them a message.

The number of InMail messages you can send each month depends on the LinkedIn Premium plan you have. Here’s a breakdown:

It’s pretty straightforward: the more you pay for your LinkedIn Premium plan, the more InMail messages you have available to use.

Profile Views Insights

Profile views are one of the best LinkedIn Premium features. First, seeing exactly who is looking at you is loads of fun. But most importantly, this feature can be an interesting one to keep an eye on as a creator, too. I see the folks heading over to my profile as an indicator of click-through rate. There’s no simple way to tie profile views back to a specific piece of content, of course, but it’s useful to get a picture of the kind of people your content is attracting. Profile views offer more of a deep dive into the specific people your content or headline inspires enough to click over to your profile and take action. To see this, head over to Profile > Analytics > Profile views. From there, click on ‘Show more Premium analytics’ to get a breakdown of the top companies, locations, and industries who have looked at your profile.

Learning Courses and Certifications

LinkedIn Premium provides exclusive access to LinkedIn Learning, offering a variety of career-enhancing online courses, from management to IT software, acting as a valuable resource for expanding professional skills and exploring new fields of interest. With LinkedIn Premium, you can:

Access free LinkedIn Learning courses with Premium
Choose courses relevant to the job field or interests
Add completed course certificates to your profile
Learn essential skills such as data analysis and public speaking

LinkedIn Learning is one of the best sources of knowledge on the internet, offering high-quality content taught by experts in various fields. Take advantage of this opportunity to learn and grow in your career.

Networking with LinkedIn Premium

Connecting with Industry Leaders

When it comes to connecting with industry leaders on LinkedIn Premium, there are several strategies you can implement to expand your network and establish valuable connections.

Utilize the search bar: Use the search bar to find professionals in your industry who align with your goals. Send connection requests to these individuals to start building your network.
Join LinkedIn Groups: Join industry-related groups and actively engage in discussions. This allows you to connect with group members who share common interests and expand your network.
Connect with Alums and Colleagues: Reach out to former colleagues, classmates, and alums to expand your network. These connections can provide valuable insights and opportunities.
Engage with Content: Like, comment, or share relevant posts to engage with potential connections before sending connection requests.
Follow Company Pages: Follow and connect with individuals from companies you are interested in. This can help you network with professionals in your desired industry.

Remember, when connecting with industry leaders, it's important to be genuine and provide value in your interactions. Building meaningful connections takes time and effort, but the rewards can be significant.

Joining Premium-Only Groups

When you join premium-only groups on LinkedIn, you gain access to a community of professionals who are serious about their careers. These groups are exclusive to LinkedIn Premium members and provide a valuable opportunity to connect with like-minded individuals in your industry.

Here are a few benefits of joining premium-only groups:

Networking: Participating in discussions can significantly boost your visibility on the platform. It allows you to engage with like-minded professionals, share insights, and establish yourself as a thought leader in your industry.
Learning: Premium-only groups often host industry experts who share valuable knowledge and insights. By joining these groups, you can stay updated on the latest trends, best practices, and opportunities in your field.
Exclusive Opportunities: Premium-only groups may offer exclusive job postings, events, and networking opportunities that are not available to non-premium members.

Tips for making the most of premium-only groups:

Join relevant groups: Look for groups that align with your professional interests and goals. This will ensure that you are connecting with professionals who can provide valuable insights and opportunities.
Be active and engaged: Regularly participate in discussions, share relevant content, and contribute your expertise. This will help you build relationships and establish yourself as a valuable member of the group.
Network strategically: Take the time to connect with other group members who you find interesting or who work in your industry. Building meaningful connections can lead to valuable collaborations, mentorship opportunities, and job referrals.

Remember, joining premium-only groups is a great way to expand your professional network, gain industry insights, and access exclusive opportunities. Make the most of this feature to enhance your LinkedIn Premium experience.

Attending Exclusive Events

Attending exclusive events is one of the valuable perks of LinkedIn Premium. These events provide you with the opportunity to network with industry leaders and connect with like-minded professionals. It's a chance to learn from experts and gain insights into the latest trends and strategies in your field. By attending these events, you can expand your knowledge, make valuable connections, and stay ahead in your industry.

Requesting Introductions

Through Imagine meeting someone interesting at a conference while waiting in the coffee line. You wouldn't just hand them your business card and walk away without a word. When asking someone to connect on LinkedIn, always include a personalized note—just like starting a real conversation. For example, say, “I saw you also commented on Mike's post,” or “We're in the same LinkedIn group.” Not only does this give context, but later if you forget the connection, you can revisit the message history to jog your memory. Treat online interactions just like in-person ones at events—make introductions

Using LinkedIn Premium for Job Search

Job Applicant Insights

As a job applicant, your premium membership provides yet another bonus. It shows you comprehensive statistics on who’s viewing your profile and from where and lets you compare your qualifications with other applicants. You will see exactly how you stack up against your competition in regard to experience, education, and skills. Knowing this information can give you an idea as to whether you need to brush up on a skill or two.

One major advantage of Premium Career is the Featured Applicant feature. By selecting the “Featured Applicant” checkbox on the job application page, your application will appear at the top of the list, making you more noticeable to employers. This is especially useful when competing for competitive job opportunities.

With LinkedIn Premium Career, you can compare yourself to other applicants or current employees of a company based on your LinkedIn profile. This feature allows you to evaluate how you measure up in terms of education and skills, giving you an understanding of your strengths and areas for improvement.

In addition, LinkedIn has just revealed a suite of powerful new features designed to transform your job search. These features include a new Job Collections feature, personalized Preferences Page, and the ability to use “I'm Interested” signals to recruiters and hiring managers. By utilizing these tools, you can uncover exciting job opportunities that may have otherwise remained hidden.

Make the most of your premium membership and take advantage of these valuable insights and features to enhance your job search and stand out from other applicants.

Access to Job Postings

LinkedIn Premium provides access to a wide range of job postings, giving you an advantage in your job search. With LinkedIn Premium, you can browse job opportunities directly on the platform and apply with just a few clicks. This saves you time and effort compared to searching for job postings on multiple websites. Additionally, LinkedIn provides insights about companies, allowing you to stay updated on new projects, achievements, and job vacancies. By following companies of interest, you can increase your chances of finding relevant job opportunities. Take advantage of LinkedIn Premium's access to job postings to find your dream job faster.

Applying with Premium Badge

When applying for a job with your LinkedIn Premium badge, you have a distinct advantage over other applicants. The premium badge showcases your commitment to professional development and sets you apart from the competition. Employers are more likely to take notice of your application and consider you for the position.

To maximize the impact of your premium badge, make sure to:

Tailor your application to highlight relevant skills and experiences
Use the featured applicant feature to appear at the top of the applicant list
Leverage the competition insights to understand how you compare to other applicants

By following these steps, you can increase your chances of landing your dream job with the help of your LinkedIn Premium badge.

In-depth Company Insights

When researching a company on LinkedIn, there are several key insights you can gather to better understand the organization. Here are some valuable actions you can take:

Overview: Explore the company's size, industry, and location in the 'Overview' section of their LinkedIn Company Page.
Recent Activity: Check the company's recent posts, articles, or updates to get a sense of their current projects and activities.
Employees: Navigate to the 'Employees' section to see who works there, providing insights into the company's workforce and diversity.
LinkedIn Posts: Look for specific hashtags or active employee posts to gain a glimpse into the company culture.
Recommendations: Find employee recommendations on the company page, which can provide valuable insights into the working environment.
Jobs: Check the 'Jobs' tab for any current openings, helping you understand the skills the company is seeking and its growth areas.
Insights: Utilize the 'Insights' tab to view information about the company's growth, employee demographics, and more.
Follow Key People: Identify key employees or executives and follow them to stay updated on their activities and insights.
Groups: Join LinkedIn groups related to the company or industry to engage in discussions and gain additional perspectives.
News and Media: Look for news articles or media mentions about the company to get a broader view of its reputation.
Competitor Comparison: Compare the company with its competitors by exploring their LinkedIn pages, helping you gauge industry standards and trends.

Remember, these insights can provide valuable information to help you make informed decisions and connections on LinkedIn.

Using LinkedIn Premium for Job Search is a great way to enhance your job search efforts. With LinkedIn Premium, you gain access to valuable features such as InMail messaging, advanced search filters, and the ability to see who has viewed your profile. These tools can help you connect with hiring managers, recruiters, and other professionals in your industry. By utilizing LinkedIn Premium, you can increase your visibility and stand out from the competition. If you're serious about finding your dream job, consider upgrading to LinkedIn Premium today.

Conclusion

In conclusion, LinkedIn Premium can be a valuable tool for professionals looking to boost their careers, expand their networks, and access exclusive opportunities. It offers enhanced features like InMail, advanced search filters, and detailed profile view insights. However, it's important to remember that its effectiveness depends on how well you leverage these features. Whether you're a job seeker, a business owner, or a creator, LinkedIn Premium can provide significant benefits if used correctly. So, consider your needs and goals, explore the different plans, and make an informed decision. Remember, LinkedIn Premium is a tool, not a guaranteed solution. Success depends on you.