LinkedIn Tips

The mistakes that cost money, and what to do instead

Most of these mistakes are about dates. Each one has a fix you can set up on the day you start a trial, buy a plan or publish a post.

For job seekers

Test the free search before you pay. Applying, profiles and messaging connections all work without Premium. Pay only when you need InMail to reach someone outside your network, and only for the length of the search.

Cancel a day before the billing date, and check the date on the day you cancel. Cancellation takes effect at the end of the billing cycle, so the earlier you cancel, the less likely you are to be charged again. About 13 of 100 reviewers describe a trial that turned into an annual charge. ^{[2] [10]}

Ask for a refund within 7 days if you haven't used Premium. Refunds depend on that window, and reviewers who asked after cancelling within days were still refused. ^{[3] [11]}

For hirers

Start with a free post and promote only if it stalls. A free post typically draws 10 to 30 applicants in its 14 days, which is enough for one local role. ^[5]

Set a budget before you promote. Billing runs every 30 days from the first post, and one recruiter on Trustpilot describes being invoiced past an agreed budget. ^{[4] [13]}

For everyone

Keep your phone number and email current. Lockouts and stalled ID checks appear in about 38 of 100 recent Trustpilot reviews, and an account you can reach is the cheapest protection. ^{[12] [6]}

Switch off AI training if you don't want your posts used for it. The setting is on by default, and the opt-out doesn't reach training that has already happened. ^[7]