Reaching out to recruiters on LinkedIn can be an effective way to find new job opportunities, but it’s important to craft your message carefully to make a good first impression. Here are some tips for starting a LinkedIn message to a recruiter:
Keep it concise
You’ll want your initial message to be short and to the point. Recruiters are busy and likely receive many messages, so get right to the point instead of including a lengthy background on yourself. One or two paragraphs is ideal.
Personalize the greeting
Avoid generic greetings like “Hello” or “Dear recruiter.” Make sure to use the recruiter’s name so your message feels tailored specifically to them. For example, “Hi Jane” or “Good morning John.”
Mention any connections
If you have any shared connections with the recruiter on LinkedIn, briefly mention that connection. For example, “I noticed we are both connected with Sarah Jones” or “Bob Smith suggested I get in touch.” This helps provide some context.
Introduce yourself
Provide 1-2 sentences summarizing who you are and what you do. List your current job title and company. You can also mention the number of years of experience you have in your field.
Express your interest
Explain why you are reaching out to this particular recruiter. Mention if you are interested in any specific roles at their company. Align your background and skills with jobs you are targeting to show fit.
Sample Initial Message
Here is an example of how you could structure an introductory LinkedIn message to a recruiter:
Hi Jane,
I noticed we are both connected to Sarah Jones. I am a 5+ years experienced software engineer currently working at XYZ Company.
I saw that you have several open senior developer roles at ABC Company. I would love to be considered for these opportunities given my background in Java development and experience leading agile teams.
I have long admired ABC Company for its industry-leading technology and innovations. Let me know if you would be open to discussing any current openings for senior developers. I have attached my resume for your consideration.
Looking forward to hearing from you!
Regards,
[Your name]
This message checks all the key boxes:
– Personalized greeting with recruiter’s name
– Mention of shared connection
– Brief background on yourself
– Statement expressing interest and fit for the company’s open roles
– Request to further discuss opportunities
You can follow this template structure and customize the details for the recruiter and roles you are targeting.
Tips for Writing the Message
Here are some additional tips to strengthen your introductory recruiter message:
Highlight relevant skills and experience
What parts of your background make you a strong match for the types of roles you are pursuing? Mention 1-2 most relevant skills or experiences to catch the recruiter’s attention.
Do your research
Before reaching out, review the company, open positions, and recruiter’s background. Prepare specifics on why you are interested and fit the opportunities.
Show enthusiasm
Express excitement about the company and roles. Recruiters want to see genuine interest. But avoid sounding over-eager or pushy.
Ask about next steps
Politely ask about the process moving forward and if the recruiter would like to schedule a phone call to further discuss. This shows initiative.
Proofread carefully
Double check for any spelling, grammar, or formatting issues before sending. Attention to detail is important.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
When reaching out to recruiters, there are some common mistakes that could make your message ineffective:
Making it too long
An initial message should be short and focused. Diving deep into your full background and qualifications can come later. Stick to 1-2 paragraphs.
Attaching your resume without context
Simply attaching your resume without an introduction comes across as lazy. Always include some context in the message itself.
Using a generic subject line
Give your message a clear, specific subject line rather than just “LinkedIn message” or “Job inquiry.”
Not personalizing the message
Failing to use the recruiter’s name or company specifics makes your note look generic. Avoid copy-pasting the same message to all recruiters.
Not expressing interest and fit
You need to explicitly state why you are interested in that company and aligned to the open positions. Don’t make the recruiter guess.
Asking about salary or benefits too soon
Wait for a recruiter to bring up compensation details before asking about salary, benefits, vacations policy, etc.
Following Up
If you haven’t heard back from the recruiter after about a week, it’s appropriate to send a polite follow up:
Hi Jane,
I wanted to follow up on the LinkedIn message I sent last week about opportunities at ABC Company. I remain very interested in learning more.
Please let me know if you need any additional information from me. I’d be happy to schedule a call at your convenience to further discuss.
Looking forward to connecting!
Regards,
[Your name]
However, avoid pestering a recruiter who seems unresponsive. Only follow up once or twice before moving on.
Keys to Success
To recap, here are the keys to crafting an effective introductory message to a recruiter on LinkedIn:
– Keep it brief but personalized
– Identify shared connections
– Highlight your relevant background
– Express interest in the company and role
– Politely ask about next steps
– Avoid common mistakes like being too long or pushy
– Follow up if needed but don’t overdo it
With a carefully crafted message personalized to the recipient, you can make a great first impression on recruiters and advance your job search. Just be sure to proofread before sending!
Example LinkedIn Message Templates
Here are a few more example message templates you can use and customize when reaching out to recruiters:
Basic LinkedIn Message Template
Dear [RecruiterName],
My name is [YourName] and I’m currently working as a [YourTitle] at [YourCompany]. [Optional: We are connected through [name] / I came across your profile.]
I’m very interested in [the company/role/job posting] because [reasons you’re interested]. With my background in [relevant skills/experience], I think I would be a great fit for [this position/the company].
I’ve attached my resume and would love to schedule a call to discuss further. What does the hiring process look like on your end?
Looking forward to connecting soon!
Best,
[YourName]
LinkedIn Message for Referral
Hi [Name],
I hope you’ve been well! I wanted to reach out because I saw you work at [Company] as a [Title]. I’m very interested in [job title/opening/company] and was hoping you could refer me for relevant opportunities or connect me to the right recruiting team.
As a [summary of experience], I think I could be a great fit for [this role/team] to help with [goals of role]. I still remember when you [refer to positive experience working with them]. Do you think this could be a good match?
Any guidance or contacts you could provide would be greatly appreciated! I’ve attached my updated resume and look forward to catching up more.
Best,
[YourName]
LinkedIn Message After Meeting at Event
Hi [Name],
It was great to meet you at [Event] last week! I really enjoyed learning more about your work with [Company/Projects].
As we discussed, I have [X] years experience in [Field] and I’m currently exploring new opportunities. Is there someone on your recruiting team I should connect with about [Role/Company]? Or feel free to send me any open job descriptions that seem like a potential fit.
Thanks again for the informative conversation. I look forward to staying in touch!
Regards,
[YourName]
Following Up After Applying
Once you’ve applied for a role, follow up to reiterate your interest and check on next steps:
Dear [Hiring Manager Name],
I recently applied for the [Job Title] role at [Company] and wanted to reiterate my strong interest. As a [qualification summary], I can bring value through [ways you can contribute].
I know you likely have many applicants to consider, but please let me know if I can provide any additional information to help demonstrate why I am an excellent fit for this opportunity. What are the next steps in the interview process?
I look forward to hearing from you soon to discuss further. Thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
Asking for Referral After Job Interview
If you had a positive interview but didn’t get the role, you can request an internal referral:
Dear [Interviewer Name],
Thank you again for taking the time to interview me for the [Role] position. I enjoyed learning more about [Company] and the team.
While the timing didn’t work out for this particular role, I wanted to reiterate my enthusiasm for the work your team is doing. Do you anticipate any similar openings on your team in future? If so, I would greatly appreciate being considered or getting an internal referral.
Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you think of any other roles that may be a good match for my background in [Relevant Skills]. I’m motivated to contribute to your mission and would love to stay connected.
Best regards,
[Your Name]
Conclusion
Reaching out directly to recruiters and hiring managers on LinkedIn can unlock many potential job opportunities. But it’s important to craft your messages carefully to make a good impression. Keep your initial notes brief and personalized while highlighting your fit for the role.
Avoid common mistakes like failing to research the company or only attaching your resume without context. If you follow up after applying or interviewing, stay professional and focus on reiterating your interest.
With well-written LinkedIn messages tailored to the recipient, you can get on recruiters’ radars, move forward in the hiring process, and maximize your chances of landing the right job.
Section | Key Points |
---|---|
Introduction | – Keep messages brief and personalized – Mention any shared connections – Introduce yourself and express interest in roles |
Sample Message | – Greeting with name – Note about shared connection – 2 sentence background – Interest in company/roles – Request to discuss further |
Tips for Writing | – Highlight relevant skills and experience – Research the company and roles – Express enthusiasm – Ask about next steps – Proofread carefully |
Mistakes to Avoid | – Too long – Attaching resume without context – Generic subject line – Not personalizing – Not expressing interest/fit – Asking about compensation too soon |
Following Up | – Follow up if no response after 1 week – Only follow up 1-2 times – Then move on if no response |
Keys to Success | – Brief, personalized message – Highlight relevant background – Express genuine interest – Ask about next steps – Proofread carefully – Follow up politely if needed |