In today’s globalized job market, finding the right international job opportunities can feel overwhelming. But what if there was a tool to connect you with top recruiters, improve your visibility, and help you land a job faster? Enter LinkedIn Premium. Whether you’re in Nigeria or elsewhere in Africa, LinkedIn Premium can be your gateway to working abroad, growing professionally, and achieving your career goals.
This guide breaks down how to use LinkedIn Premium to get a job, especially if you’re targeting international employment opportunities. You’ll learn how to leverage features like InMail, Top Applicant Jobs, and advanced search filters to stand out. Let’s get started.
What Is LinkedIn Premium, and Why Should You Use It?
LinkedIn Premium is a paid version of LinkedIn that offers enhanced tools for job seekers. While the free version of LinkedIn is great for building connections, Premium takes your job search to the next level by offering exclusive insights, messaging capabilities, and visibility features that significantly increase your chances of getting hired.
Benefits of LinkedIn Premium for Job Seekers:
- Direct Messaging with InMail: Reach out to recruiters and decision-makers directly.
- Top Applicant Feature: Know where you stand among other applicants and focus on jobs where you’re most likely to succeed.
- Job Insights: Get detailed information about the companies, positions, and salary ranges.
- Profile Visibility Boost: Your profile will be seen by more recruiters, increasing your chances of landing interviews.
Step 1: Optimize Your LinkedIn Profile for International Jobs
Before you start applying, you need to make sure your profile is optimized for international roles. LinkedIn Premium gives you tools to make your profile stand out, so use them to your advantage.
Key Profile Sections to Focus On:
- Headline: Add keywords related to your target job roles. For example, if you’re looking for a software engineering role in the U.S., use terms like “International Software Engineer | Full Stack Developer | Python Expert.”
- Summary: Craft a compelling, action-oriented summary that highlights your skills, experience, and willingness to relocate. This section should reflect why you’re the right candidate for international positions.
- Skills and Endorsements: LinkedIn Premium allows you to see which skills are most in-demand for jobs you’re applying to. Update your profile to match these trends, and prioritize getting endorsements from colleagues.
- Experience: Tailor your job experiences to showcase international work experience, global projects, or skills that are highly sought after in other countries.
Step 2: Use LinkedIn Premium’s Job Search Filters
LinkedIn Premium offers advanced search filters that help you find jobs more aligned with your experience and location preferences.
How to Use Job Search Filters:
- Location Filter: If you’re targeting jobs in a specific country, like Canada or Germany, use the location filter to narrow your search.
- Top Applicant Filter: This feature highlights jobs where you have a high chance of being shortlisted, based on your profile and qualifications.
- Experience Level Filter: Set your search to match your level, whether you’re an entry-level candidate or a seasoned professional looking for senior roles.
By applying these filters, you’ll save time and increase the likelihood of landing an interview.
Step 3: Leverage InMail to Connect with Recruiters
One of LinkedIn Premium’s most powerful features is InMail, which allows you to message people who aren’t in your network. This can be especially valuable if you’re applying for international jobs where networking opportunities are limited.
Tips for Using InMail Effectively:
- Personalize Your Message: When reaching out to a recruiter or hiring manager, always personalize the message. Mention the role you’re interested in and why you’re a good fit.
- Follow-Up: After applying for a job, use InMail to follow up with the recruiter or decision-maker. This can give you an edge over other applicants who haven’t taken that extra step.
- Engage with Profile Viewers: LinkedIn Premium shows you who has viewed your profile. If a recruiter from a target company has checked out your profile, send them a message to initiate a conversation.
Step 4: Apply to Top Applicant Jobs to Increase Your Chances
The “Top Applicant” feature is exclusive to LinkedIn Premium and gives you the inside track on jobs where you’re most likely to be hired. This feature compares your profile to other candidates and identifies roles where you’re in the top tier of applicants.
How to Identify and Apply for Top Applicant Jobs:
- Look for jobs marked as Top Applicant and prioritize applying to those positions.
- Use the insights provided by LinkedIn Premium to tailor your application to match the company’s needs. For example, if you notice that certain skills are in high demand for the role, make sure to highlight them in your resume and cover letter.
Step 5: Get Noticed with LinkedIn Premium Job Insights
When applying for international jobs, it’s crucial to understand the companies you’re interested in. LinkedIn Premium provides detailed job insights, including salary information, company growth, and employee connections.
How to Use Job Insights:
- Salary Range: Knowing the salary range helps you decide whether the position is financially viable for a move abroad. It also gives you a baseline for salary negotiations.
- Employee Reviews: Job insights include company reviews and feedback from employees, helping you gauge whether a company is a good fit for your professional growth.
- Growth Trends: Check if the company is expanding or reducing its workforce. A growing company often has more opportunities for advancement.
Step 6: Network Effectively for International Opportunities
Networking is crucial when seeking international roles, and LinkedIn Premium makes it easier to connect with global professionals.
How to Expand Your International Network:
- Join LinkedIn Groups: Participate in industry-related groups that focus on international work or specific countries. This helps you connect with professionals working in your desired location.
- Engage with Content: Share and comment on posts from international recruiters or professionals in your industry. This keeps you visible and builds your reputation within the global community.
- Attend LinkedIn Events: Many industries host virtual events on LinkedIn. These events offer networking opportunities, and attending can help you make connections that lead to job offers abroad.
Which LinkedIn premium is best for job seekers?
When choosing a LinkedIn Premium plan as a job seeker, the LinkedIn Premium Career option is the best choice. This plan is specifically tailored to job seekers and offers tools to help you land a job faster. Here’s why it’s the best option:
Key Features of LinkedIn Premium Career:
- InMail Messages – You can send messages directly to recruiters, even if you’re not connected, making it easier to network.
- Top Applicant Insights – You’ll see jobs where you’re more likely to stand out based on your profile.
- Job Insights – Access information about who’s viewed your profile, salary insights, and company growth trends.
- Learning Resources – Get access to LinkedIn Learning to improve your skills and make your profile more attractive.
- Who Viewed Your Profile – See the full list of people who’ve checked out your profile in the last 90 days, which could lead to new opportunities.
Why LinkedIn Premium Career is Ideal:
- Affordable Pricing: It’s more budget-friendly than other Premium options like Sales Navigator or Business.
- Job-Focused Features: The tools are specifically designed to help you find and apply for jobs more effectively.
If your goal is to get hired faster and increase your visibility to recruiters, LinkedIn Premium Career provides everything you need.
Success Stories – Real-Life Examples
Let’s look at some success stories of African professionals who used LinkedIn Premium to land jobs abroad:
- Case Study 1: Adeola’s Journey to Tech in Canada Adeola, a software developer from Nigeria, leveraged LinkedIn Premium to find job openings in Canadian tech companies. By optimizing her profile and using the Top Applicant feature, she landed an interview with a Vancouver-based startup. She followed up her application with a personalized InMail to the recruiter, which led to a successful job offer.
- Case Study 2: Olu’s Move to Marketing in the UK Olu, a marketing professional from Ghana, was targeting jobs in the UK. He used LinkedIn Premium’s advanced search filters to find marketing roles in his preferred location. He also took advantage of InMail to message recruiters, eventually securing a remote interview with a London-based agency.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Is LinkedIn Premium worth it for job seekers?
Yes, LinkedIn Premium Career is worth it for job seekers, especially if you’re actively searching for jobs or looking to network. The features like InMail, Top Applicant insights, and advanced job search filters make it easier to connect with recruiters and apply for relevant positions.
2. What is the difference between LinkedIn Basic and LinkedIn Premium Career?
LinkedIn Basic (the free version) offers standard features like profile creation and basic networking. LinkedIn Premium Career, on the other hand, gives you additional tools such as InMail messaging, applicant insights, profile visibility, and access to LinkedIn Learning courses to improve your skills.
3. How can I use LinkedIn Premium to find a job faster?
LinkedIn Premium Career offers Top Applicant Jobs filters to find jobs where you’re likely to be a strong contender. You can also reach out to recruiters directly with InMail, improve your skills with LinkedIn Learning, and see who has viewed your profile for potential networking opportunities.
4. Can I cancel LinkedIn Premium anytime?
Yes, you can cancel your LinkedIn Premium subscription at any time. You will continue to have access to the premium features until the end of your billing cycle.
5. Does LinkedIn Premium guarantee a job?
No, LinkedIn Premium does not guarantee a job, but it offers tools that can significantly increase your chances of finding one by giving you greater visibility, networking opportunities, and personalized job insights.
6. How much does LinkedIn Premium Career cost?
LinkedIn Premium Career costs around $29.99 per month, but LinkedIn frequently offers free trials so you can test out the features before committing to a subscription.
7. Can I send messages to recruiters using LinkedIn Premium?
Yes, LinkedIn Premium Career allows you to send InMail messages to recruiters and professionals, even if you’re not directly connected. This feature is particularly useful for networking and applying for jobs.
8. What is the best way to optimize my LinkedIn profile with Premium?
Use keywords in your headline and summary, engage with LinkedIn Learning to enhance your skills, and take advantage of the Who’s Viewed Your Profile feature to connect with recruiters who show interest in your profile.
9. Can LinkedIn Premium help me get a job internationally?
Yes, LinkedIn Premium can help you explore international job opportunities by giving you access to global recruiters, job insights, and networking tools. It’s particularly useful for professionals seeking to work abroad.
10. How does LinkedIn Learning benefit job seekers?
LinkedIn Learning offers a wide range of courses that can help job seekers improve their skills in various fields. Completing these courses makes your profile more appealing to recruiters and helps you stay competitive in the job market.
Conclusion: Take Your Job Search Global with LinkedIn Premium
If you’re an African job seeker looking to work abroad, LinkedIn Premium is a powerful tool to help you achieve your goals. By optimizing your profile, using job search filters, leveraging InMail, and taking advantage of the Top Applicant feature, you can significantly improve your chances of landing your dream job. Ready to take the next step? Upgrade to LinkedIn Premium and start applying today!