LinkedIn is the world’s largest professional network with over 722 million members worldwide. It allows members to make connections, search for jobs, join industry groups, publish articles, and more. One of LinkedIn’s key features is the ability for companies to post job openings that members can view and apply for. But how many of these job postings can be made for free? Let’s take a look at LinkedIn’s pricing model for job listings to find out.
LinkedIn’s Pricing Model
LinkedIn offers three tiers of paid subscriptions for employers to post job openings:
LinkedIn Career Pages
The basic and free subscription is LinkedIn Career Pages. This allows companies to create a company profile page and post one job opening for free. This single free job listing will remain open until it is filled or removed by the company.
LinkedIn Job Slots
The next level is LinkedIn Job Slots. This starts at $199 per month for a bundle of 5 job postings. Additional job slots can be purchased for $49 each per month. Job slots allow companies to maintain open job postings on their Career Page. Each slot can be recycled and reused for a new job opening once the existing listing is filled or removed.
LinkedIn Recruiter
The top tier is LinkedIn Recruiter. This starts at $1,199 per month for a Professional subscription. It offers features like InMail, candidate searching and management tools. At this level, companies have unlimited job listings on their Career Pages.
So in summary, LinkedIn offers:
Subscription | Cost Per Month | Number of Job Listings |
---|---|---|
Career Pages | Free | 1 |
Job Slots | $199+ | 5+ |
Recruiter | $1,199+ | Unlimited |
Getting the Most Value from Free Listings
While LinkedIn only allows companies to post one free job opening, there are some strategies to maximize the value of that single listing:
Keep the Listing Generic
Rather than posting for a specific job title and set of qualifications, keep the free posting more open and generic. For example, “Hiring Software Engineers” rather than “Seeking Senior Java Developers”. This allows the listing to apply to a broader candidate pool.
Prompt Applications via Your Website
Drive applicants to apply on your company website rather than LinkedIn. Include the link prominently in the job description. You can then use your own system to collect and track applicants.
Refresh Regularly
Since you only have one live listing at a time, aim to refresh it frequently. As soon as one position is filled, update the listing for your next available opening. This keeps your employer brand visible and job opportunities in front of members.
Leverage Other LinkedIn Features
Make use of Groups, content sharing, and your employee networks to also promote openings. Engage with prospective candidates beyond just the single job listing.
Upgrading for More Listings
While possible to maximize a single free posting, companies hiring for multiple positions or on a regular basis will need to upgrade. Here are some factors to consider:
Volume of Hiring
How many open positions do you expect to have at a given time? Volume hiring demands require multiple concurrent job listings and recruiter accounts.
Frequency of Hiring
If your hiring needs are inconsistent or seasonal, buying individual Job Slots as needed may be more cost effective than a Recruiter account. But if you’re hiring year-round, an unlimited account offers more flexibility.
Role Specialization
Do you need to attract candidates for very specific skills and titles? Individual postings per specialty allow you to customize descriptions and requirements per role.
Recruiter Bandwidth
More listings mean more applicants to screen and process. Ensure your recruiting staff has the bandwidth before significantly expanding postings.
Other Free Job Posting Options
In addition to the single free listing on LinkedIn, here are some other free resources for posting openings:
Company Website
Posting job listings on your own corporate career site is always free. This should be the main hub for all open positions.
Job Boards
Some free general job boards like ZipRecruiter and Indeed allow postings, but offer limited features compared to paid accounts.
University Career Centers
Connecting with campus career centers is a free way to reach student and alumni candidates. These centers often aggregate job listings for students.
Professional Associations
Many professional groups and alumni associations allow members to post job openings at no cost. These can effectively reach highly specialized candidate pools.
Social Media
Networks like Facebook, Twitter and Reddit offer free options for sharing postings and engaging potential candidates.
Conclusion
While LinkedIn limits employers to one free job listing, this can be maximized through smart posting strategies and leveraging other free options. Companies with high volume hiring needs should consider investing in more Job Slots or a Recruiter account based on the number of concurrent openings, frequency of hiring, role specialization, and bandwidth of their recruiting staff. But even on a tight budget, one carefully optimized free posting plus other free channels can help attract great candidates.