Quick Answer
Yes, you do need a LinkedIn account to fully use LinkedIn. LinkedIn is a social media platform designed specifically for professional networking and job searching. To access core features like connecting with other professionals, searching job listings, messaging contacts, viewing full profiles, and applying to jobs, you need to sign up for a free or premium LinkedIn account.
Without a LinkedIn account, you can only view limited profile previews and perform basic searches. You won’t be able to connect with other members, message contacts, apply for jobs, or access your full network and profile data. An account is necessary to fully leverage LinkedIn for networking, recruitment, and professional branding.
What Can You Do on LinkedIn Without an Account?
While you do need an account to fully use LinkedIn, there are some limited actions you can perform without logging in or signing up:
- View simplified / preview versions of some user profiles – You can access a preview of profile basics like name, title, employer, education, skills, and endorsements. But full profile details will be hidden.
- Conduct basic searches – You can search for people, companies, jobs, content, and more. But results may be restricted.
- View company pages – You can access basic information about a company’s LinkedIn page as an anonymous user.
- See some job postings – You can preview some information about job listings, but applying will require an account.
- View public LinkedIn Groups – You can browse some public groups, but joining groups requires an account.
So in summary, you can preview limited profile and job information and conduct basic searches without an account. But engaging with the core social networking, messaging, and job application functionality requires logging in.
Why You Need a LinkedIn Account
Here are some of the key things you can only do on LinkedIn if you have an account:
Connect with Other Professionals
The core utility of LinkedIn is its professional networking functionality. But to connect with others, follow companies, and build out your professional network, you need an account. An account lets you send, receive, and accept connection requests.
Communicate via Messaging
LinkedIn’s messaging system allows you to communicate one-on-one or in groups with other members via direct messaging. But to send and receive messages, you need to be logged into an account. Messaging is useful for networking, recruitment, professional discussions, and collaboration.
Create / Update Your Profile
To create a LinkedIn profile that fully showcases your professional experiences, skills, accomplishments, education, certifications, and interests, you need an account. Your profile acts as your professional resume on LinkedIn. And you can only edit it if you’re logged into the account that owns the profile.
Search Jobs and Apply
Many companies post job listings on LinkedIn. To browse open positions, save job postings, follow companies for future openings, and submit job applications, you need a LinkedIn account. Applying for jobs requires an established profile.
Access Premium Features
Upgrading to a premium LinkedIn account via subscriptions like Premium Career and Business provides additional features, such as viewing full profiles of non-connections, expanded search history, unlimited job applications, and premium messaging. But a free account still provides robust core functionality.
How to Create a LinkedIn Account
Signing up for a LinkedIn account is simple and free via the LinkedIn website or mobile app:
- Go to LinkedIn.com or install the mobile app.
- Click “Join now” or “Create Account.”
- Enter your first and last name.
- Enter your email address.
- Create a password.
- Select your location and configure additional options if desired.
- Agree to LinkedIn’s User Agreement and Privacy Policy.
- Click “Join LinkedIn” or “Create Account.”
Once you confirm your email address, your account will be active. You can then begin setting up your profile, connecting with other members, searching for jobs, and leveraging LinkedIn for your professional needs.
Types of LinkedIn Accounts
There are a few account options available on LinkedIn:
Member (Free Account)
This basic free account allows access to core LinkedIn functionality like creating a profile, connecting with others, messaging members, searching and applying for jobs, joining groups, following companies, and viewing medium-level profile data.
Premium Career Account
This paid premium account provides features aimed at job seekers like expanded profile views, unlimited job applications, advanced profile searches, and professional learning courses. It costs around $30 USD per month.
Premium Business Account
Geared towards sales professionals, this premium account includes features like expanded profile and search views, professional profile badges, lead and account tracking, and premium messaging. It costs around $50 USD per month.
Sales Navigator Account
This is LinkedIn’s most advanced premium account, providing sales professionals with robust tools and insights for targeting prospects, engaging leads, and boosting sales performance. It costs around $80 USD per month.
But a free member account provides sufficient functionality for most people’s professional networking and job search needs on LinkedIn. Premium accounts provide extras helpful for certain use cases.
Creating a Company Page
In addition to member profiles, LinkedIn enables businesses and organizations to create free Company Pages to showcase information about their company to prospective employees, partners, and customers. Here is the process to create a LinkedIn Company page:
- Go to LinkedIn.com and log into an existing company representative’s account or create a new account.
- Click on “Work” in the top toolbar and select “Create a Company Page.”
- Enter your company name and verify you are authorized to create the page.
- Select your company’s size, industry, location, and other details.
- Fill out sections like Company Description, Services, Industries, Careers, and Products.
- Designate admin roles and add content like photos, videos, and job postings.
- Publish your page and share the URL with employees to populate the follower base.
Company Pages complement member accounts by providing businesses with a hub to attract talent, engage customers, and build brand awareness on LinkedIn.
Using an Account for Business / Sales
For sales professionals, marketers, recruiters, and other business roles, a LinkedIn account provides these key benefits:
- Sourcing Leads: Search LinkedIn profiles using filters to find prospects based on job role, company, location, skills, and interests.
- Contacting Leads: Send connection requests and InMail messages to establish relationships with high-potential prospects.
- Promoting Content: Share blog posts, whitepapers, ebooks, and other branded content to increase awareness.
- Advertising: LinkedIn Ads enable targeted advertising to reach a professional audience.
- Company Pages: Company Pages establish branded presences and showcase businesses to prospective hires or customers.
- Job Posting: Post and promote open positions to reach targeted, passive job seekers.
- Analytics: Gain data insights using LinkedIn’s analytics on content, Company Pages, ads, and jobs.
With the right strategy, LinkedIn accounts and Company Pages can support lead generation, recruitment, employer branding, and sales for businesses. Premium subscriptions provide further tools and insights.
Using an Account for Job Seeking
If you’re using LinkedIn to search for jobs or advance your career, a LinkedIn account lets you:
- Build Your Professional Brand: Create a compelling profile showcasing your background, skills, accomplishments, recommendations, and interests.
- Find Job Openings: Search current job listings using filters like title, company, industry, location, and remote options.
- Get Notified: Follow companies you’re interested in and get notified when they post new jobs.
- Apply for Positions: Submit job applications directly through LinkedIn, where many employers are proactively looking for candidates.
- Network and Connect: Grow your professional network by connecting with colleagues, peers, recruiters, and leaders in your target companies or industry.
In summary, a LinkedIn account paired with an optimized job seeker profile allows you to build your professional brand, search and apply for relevant roles, and connect with the right people to advance your career.
Conclusion
To fully access LinkedIn’s core features and functionality for professional networking, job seeking, branding, recruiting, and sales, you do need to create a LinkedIn member account. While some limited profile viewing and searching is possible without an account, you will not be able to connect, communicate, or engage with the LinkedIn community.
The platform is designed to provide value based on established professional identities and relationships. So a LinkedIn account is required to truly tap into these benefits and opportunities. The good news is that a basic member account is free and easy to set up, with premium offerings available to enhance certain functions. Overall, an account is a prerequisite and invaluable asset for maximizing your professional use of LinkedIn.