Let’s face it, finding a job after graduation is intimidating. Many graduating seniors, including myself, don’t even know where to start. We end up aimlessly browsing LinkedIn hoping we will somehow get noticed. Dr. Engstrom, however, suggested to me a solution that has been a complete game-changer in the career search: LinkedIn Premium. For $29.99/month, this upgrade is worth it for job seekers for five reasons. As Dr. Engstrom says in many of his LinkedIn training sessions to students: “Stop being so damn cheap. You just dropped thousands of dollars for a college degree, and you think $29.99 a month is expensive?”
Reason 1: InMail
LinkedIn Premium offers the InMail feature. With this tool, members can message anyone without a connection. This feature means job seekers can directly reach recruiters. Unlike traditional email, where the chance of going straight to junk mail is high, InMail increases the prospect for a response and shows recruiters the applicant is determined to contact the company.
Reason 2: Applicant Insights
Insights is by far my favorite feature. With Applicant Insights, you can see how you rank compared to other applicants. LinkedIn will analyze the applicants by level of experience and desired skills. The page also displays company trends over time and key metrics, including company-wide growth over the years. Most people don’t want to work for a company in decline, so these data help applicants decide if they should apply. Additionally, the rankings tell applicants if they have a chance against their competition. If they don’t, they can see which skills they lack and build them through LinkedIn Learning.
Reason 3: LinkedIn Learning
LinkedIn Learning provides access to over 16,000 courses led by experts in every field. Specific courses are recommended based on profile interests, the skills one lacks compared to others, and popular pages. After completing a course, a LinkedIn Learning badge can be added to the learner’s profile and displayed to hiring managers.
Reason 4: See Who’s Looking at You
With LinkedIn Premium, members have full access to see who’s viewed their profile in the last 90 days. Often, these are interested employers or fellow users who want to see skills. Once users see who’s interested in their profile, they can message them and form a valuable connection.
Reason 5: Interview Prep
After applying for a job, applicants can open the Interview Preparation feature, which provides complete access to interview preparation material, including informative videos and text. Experts and hiring managers for the company offer advice on answering common questions asked by employers. Interviews are stressful no matter the job title, but this feature helps job seekers privately prepare and receive feedback on their responses.
Final Thoughts
Dr. Engstrom is a LinkedIn expert, and I’m so glad I listened to his advice during my job search. Just having LinkedIn Premium shows employers that you are serious about your professional image and deserve the utmost attention and respect. So go ahead and get that gold badge on your profile. Chances are high that your job search will be more successful.
About the Author
Morgan McCullough is a senior at Southern Methodist University in Dallas, TX. She is majoring in Public Relations and Journalism and works as a freelance writer.
