Is LinkedIn Premium Worth It?

Is LinkedIn Premium Worth It?

I ask myself this question every time I see the $44 charge in my bank. But somehow, time and time again, I end up on the affirmative side. Is it that Premium really helps me with my career goals? Or maybe I’m just grateful for everything the platform has done for me and want to show my gratitude in monthly installments. Either way, take my two cents. If you decide to put it towards your LinkedIn Premium subscription, I won’t blame you.

Here’s Cent One…

Before this article becomes a tribute to the penny’s last days, Iet’s get to business. A Premium subscription isn’t just about that flashy gold logo on your profile; it can actually make a difference with what LinkedIn is all about: connecting.

Every month (or billing cycle), you’re given 15 credits that allow you to message people to which you are not yet connected. For me, I use it to give an extra nudge to marketing managers at tech companies who I think are likely to sponsor #DataFemme. But for many of you, it’s an opportunity to reach out to that hiring manager who just posted your dream job.

Of course, you don’t need Premium to send connection requests with a note and wait with bated breath for a reply. But why wait? We all. should be more proactive with our LinkedIn strategies and I find myself uniquely motivated when I’ve already paid for the leg up.

And Here’s Cent Two…

A few months ago, I made the mistake of thinking that having a full-time office job would grant me financial security. But mistake aside, going through the application process gave me a window into a world that I’d long eschewed, especially when it comes to LinkedIn and its offerings.

As shown below, LinkedIn Premium offers a lot of insights into how you as a job applicant measure up to your competition - insights you wouldn’t be able to see with a standard account.

And that’s not even the juiciest part. LinkedIn Premium also compiles statistics on companies that could make a difference when assessing in advance if a job is the right fit. Below, you’re looking at data from a corrupt company on which I took a chance. Seeing that this company has a median employee tenure of only 2.6 years, I could have known that it was a gimmick if I had paid attention. Hindsight’s 20/20 for me, but I would definitely check this data point as well as others if you’re applying to jobs with a LinkedIn Premium account.

Last but not least, LinkedIn Premium offers AI-empowered resume and cover letter crafting support that can be tailored to specific jobs. They highlight the pieces of your existing profile that show exceptional strength in the areas prized by your target companies. Of course, some tweaking and fine-tuning may be necessary, but with LinkedIn Premium, you never have to start a cover letter from a blank page again.

So what do you think?

I’d love your thoughts on how LinkedIn Premium has worked for you in the past or present as well as your questions about how a Premium subscription could help your career.