LinkedIn is the ideal social networking platform to help users find a job, but what about companies looking to hire? The answer is yes, LinkedIn works for that too. Meet LinkedIn Recruiter.
LinkedIn Recruiter is the recruitment tool that recruiters use to find candidates for the jobs they are hiring for. It basically allows recruiters to find the talent pool they're looking for using Boolean search, which refines online searches through specific keywords and operators.
With a LinkedIn Recruiter subscription, you get access to the following features:
Over 40 advanced search filters
Recommended candidate matches
150 InMail messages per team member each month
LinkedIn analytics tools to track and manage potential candidates
However, when it comes to pricing, things can get a bit complicated, its price tag might not be suitable for everyone. Many recruiters have expressed their frustration with LinkedIn Recruiter's pricing structure.
“I think the title says a lot: these advanced functions included in the package called "Recruiter" is very expensive for a freelancer or a self-employed worker, even for SMEs, and in return offers improvements, but they are not congruent with its high price. For example we have a limited amount of InMail messages (30 in Recruiter Lite). An active recruiter can spend these credits in 2 or 3 working days very easily. The other features that it offers helps, but if you already have a large network and you know how to use LinkedIn in an advanced way, it is not so much the difference is little and the money is a lot. For a large company the cost is accurate”
LinkedIn Recruiter is available in two versions
LinkedIn Recruiter Lite:
This little guy might be tempting for solo recruiters or small teams. It helps recruiters search for candidates based on specific criteria like experience, skills, and education.
Key features of LinkedIn Recruiter Lite:
It grants access to 3rd-degree connections
20+ search filters
30 InMails per month
Recommended matches based on your sourcing activity
Standard reports on InMail and job performance
LinkedIn Recruiter Corporate:
It's like the VIP section of LinkedIn's recruiting. It allows recruiters to search, manage high-level features. This solution is a go-to for many professional headhunters, recruitment agencies, and Talent Acquisition teams who spend a lot of time reaching out to candidates.
Key features of LinkedIn Recruiter Corporate:
They include all of Recruiter Lite’s features, in addition to the following:
Full access to LinkedIn's network
Advanced filtering
Unlimited searches per month
150 InMails per month
Identifies candidates that are most likely to respond
What does LinkedIn Recruiter Corporate provides that LinkedIn Recruiter Lite doesn’t?
Both Recruiter Lite and Recruiter Corporate can help you find talent by searching for skills and experience, but there are some key differences between both.
Increased search capacity: With LinkedIn Recruiter Corporate, you get access to a much larger talent pool. It allows for more extensive search results compared to the Lite version.
Team collaboration: LinkedIn Recruiter Corporate is built for bigger teams. It has features that make it easier for multiple team members to collaborate on sourcing and engaging candidates.
Advanced reporting: If you need detailed analytics, LinkedIn Recruiter Corporate has you covered. It provides in-depth reporting capabilities to help you fine-tune your recruitment strategies.
LinkedIn Recruiter pricing… Can you afford it?
Recruiter Lite Pricing
Monthly or yearly
$170 to $270 / seat / month
20% discount on yearly subscription
Recruiter Corporate Pricing
Yearly billing only
$1,080 / seat / month
Is LinkedIn Recruiter worth its pricing?
Although LinkedIn Recruiter can be great for recruiters who are trying to find ideal candidates to fill out their positions. But it also has a lot of downsides that limit the work of recruiters. Here are some common ones that is agreed on by most recruiters:
Limited search technology: It's lack of understanding of what you’re looking for. Along with its limited search technology, recruiters find it hard and time consuming to find their perfect candidates.
Bad customer support: It’s basically non-existent. If you run into a problem, all you can do is submit a ticket, and wait for days until they reply back.
Inflexible long term contracts: The only way to get access is buy subscribing for 1 year upfront.
Limited InMails: Each seat comes with a limited number of InMails, basically candidates you can reach out to.
LinkedIn Recruiter Alternatives
What to look for in a LinkedIn Recruiter Alternative
If you're considering switching from LinkedIn Recruiter, it's crucial to find an alternative that addresses the limitations you've encountered. Here are some key criteria to consider:
Advanced search filters: First off, you want to choose a tool that offers highly detailed and customizable search filters. This helps you zero in on the most relevant candidates. This saves you time and improves the quality of your search results (Now who doesn’t want that?)
All-inclusive features: Look for a platform that bundles all the necessary features without making you pay for expensive add-ons. You should have access to the full suite of tools needed for effective recruiting right from the start without breaking the bank.
User-friendly UX/UI: Nobody wants to wrestle with a complex platform. The best alternative should be intuitive and user-friendly. A smooth and easy-to-navigate interface ensures a seamless transition from your old system and keeps your recruitment process running smoothly.
As for the alternatives, these are my personal favorites that tick all the right boxes:
Tapflow is a AI talent sourcing co-pilot that helps recruiters analyze job descriptions, automate searches, and score and rank the best tech candidate profiles.
Advanced search filters: Tapflow doesn't just see keywords, it goes beyond that and it understands their context. This means you won't waste time on candidates with "manager" in their title but no relevant experience. It identifies the real deal, ensuring your search results are as relevant as they are time-saving.
All-inclusive features: Tapflow offers a comprehensive set of features built right in. From AI generated searches to automated workflows, deep AI analysis of each profile, and outreach capabilities, you'll have everything you need to streamline your recruitment process in one place.
User-friendly UX/UI: No time for complicated interfaces Tapflow boasts a clean, intuitive design that's as easy to navigate as your favorite app. No need for extensive training – you'll be up and running in no time.
Khalil Al Kashif, the Talent Acqusition Senior Manager from Unifonic said:
“With Tapflow's smart sourcing tool, I was able to identify and contact hundreds of relevant profiles within minutes, all thanks to it's profile analysis technology”
HeroHunt is a top choice for tech recruitment, offering advanced filters and AI-powered search functionalities to source hard-to-find tech talent effectively.
Advanced search filters: The AI on Herohunt generates search queries, identifies the right keywords, and executes the search without the need for manual filtering, which significantly saves time. It also provides traditional search functionalities. Users can search by job title, job description, keywords, and location.
All-inclusive features: You'll have everything you need as a recruiter, such as: GitHub and Stack Overflow profiles, candidates LinkedIn and email options, automated outreach and you get 500+ credits.
User-friendly UX/UI: Very easy to navigate, making it easy for recruiters to easily use the platform and access all its powerful features without any hassle.
“Great tool to source candidates, best alternative to expensive Linkedin Recruiter.” (Source: G2)
HireEZ is an end-to-end outbound recruitment platform designed to streamline the recruitment process for big and small hiring teams.
Advanced search filters: HireEZ has different search options: AI filters, JD/Resume Parsing, and Boolean Strings. For instance, some recruiters prefer to jumpstart their searches by inputting job titles and descriptions into our JD/Resume parsing tool. Our AI then parses this data and auto-populates filters based on key terms. Of course, you always have the flexibility to review and fine-tune these filters as needed.
All-inclusive features: With HireEZ, you get many key features once you decide to subscribe, from AI-powered sourcing to pipeline management and seamless team collaboration. Plus, gain access to valuable candidate contact details like phone numbers and emails.
User-friendly UX/UI: This platform is designed with you in mind, it ensures a smooth navigation experience that keeps your recruitment process running. It's like having a personal assistant for your sourcing tasks, guiding you every step of the way.
“My Experience with HireEZ: A Game-Changer in Talent Sourcing" (Source: G2)
Here's HireEZ's pricing:
Startups package (SMB's only): $169 per user
Professional package: Starting from $199 per user
Here's the bottom line: Invest in smart sourcing not fancy subscriptions!
Are you still unsure which one to go with? Trust me, although LinkedIn Recruiter can be a powerful tool, the alternatives like the ones mentioned in this article are built to save you precious hours, target the perfect talent pool, and help you build relationships that matter. Plus, your wallet will thank you for ditching LinkedIn Recruiter’s crazy prices.
But with so many options, how do you choose the perfect one for you?
Analyze your needs: Take a moment to assess your team's specific requirements. This can help you when you are trying to make your decision.
Explore and experiment: Take advantage of the free trials and demos offered by most platforms. Get a feel for their interface, test their search functionalities, and see which one resonates with your team's workflow.
Read reviews and leverage resources: Don't be afraid to leverage the wisdom of others! Read user reviews on G2 Crowd or Capterra to gain valuable insights from other recruiters. Many platforms also offer case studies and blog posts that would be of great help.
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