LinkedIn has become one of the top platforms for networking and exploring job opportunities. With over 722 million users worldwide, it’s no surprise that recruiters often use LinkedIn to source potential candidates for open roles. If you receive a message about a job opportunity on LinkedIn, it’s important to respond professionally to make a good impression.
Should You Respond to Recruiters on LinkedIn?
In most cases, it’s a good idea to respond to recruiters who reach out about job opportunities on LinkedIn. Even if you’re not interested in the specific role they messaged you about, maintaining open communication can lead to future opportunities. However, there are a few instances where you may want to ignore a message:
- The role is completely unrelated to your background and interests
- The message seems suspicious or like a potential scam
- You’re happy in your current job and not open to new opportunities
Use your best judgment to determine if the message warrants a response. If you’re unsure, it’s better to err on the side of replying. You can always decline an opportunity further down the line.
How to Respond to a LinkedIn Recruiter Message
When responding to a LinkedIn message about a job, you’ll want to come across as professional, interested, and receptive to learning more. Here are some tips for crafting your reply:
1. Thank the Recruiter for Reaching Out
Start your message by thanking the recruiter for thinking of you and taking the time to send you a note. This helps establish a positive tone from the beginning.
For example: “Thank you for reaching out and thinking of me for this opportunity.”
2. Express Interest in Learning More
Unless you’re completely uninterested in the role, convey enthusiasm about having an exploratory discussion. This keeps the door open for future communication. Just be careful not to overcommit at this stage.
For example: “The job description sounds very interesting. I’d be happy to hop on a call to learn more about the role and company.”
3. Ask Questions
To show engagement and curiosity, include 1-2 questions in your response about the position or hiring process. This also gives you the chance to gather useful intel.
For example: “What are the immediate priorities and expectations for this position in the first 3-6 months?”
4. Share Your LinkedIn Profile
Unless the recruiter found you directly through LinkedIn, include a link to your profile in your message. This allows them to easily view your full background.
For example: “Please feel free to check out my LinkedIn profile here: [linkedin.com/in/yourprofile]”
5. Inquire About Next Steps
Finish your response by asking about next steps, such as scheduling a phone screening. This progresses the conversation along.
For example: “What are the next steps in the interview process after an initial call?”
What to Include in Your Response
When crafting your reply to a LinkedIn recruiter message, there are a few key pieces of information you’ll want to include:
- A clear statement expressing interest in learning more and having a discussion
- 1-2 thoughtful questions about the role or hiring process
- A link to your LinkedIn profile or resume
- Inquiry about scheduling next steps
You’ll also want to maintain a friendly, enthusiastic tone. Avoid terse or overly formal language in your response. However, make sure to proofread for typos, as you want to come across as professional.
What to Avoid in Your Response
There are a few things you’ll want to steer clear of when responding to a LinkedIn recruiter:
- Salary Requirements – Wait for the recruiter to bring up compensation first.
- Availability – Don’t confirm you’re available for interviews until learning more.
- Oversharing – Keep personal details like hobbies or interests out of your initial response.
- Typos – Double check for errors before hitting send!
You also want to avoid sounding desperate or overly eager. Be enthusiastic but don’t commit to anything specific until you have more details.
How Soon Should You Respond?
It’s best practice to try and respond to a LinkedIn recruiter message within 24-48 hours. This shows promptness and interest. However, if it’s been longer than that, don’t panic. Recruiters understand people are busy and may not check LinkedIn every day.
If it’s been over a week and you want to revive the conversation, you could write:
“Apologies for the delay in responding. I just noticed your message now but am still interested in learning more about this opportunity.”
Can You Ignore Recruiter Messages on LinkedIn?
Generally it’s not advisable to completely ignore messages from recruiters on LinkedIn, even if you’re not interested in the role they messaged you about. LinkedIn is all about relationship-building, so you want to maintain open communication channels.
However, if the message seems suspicious or clearly unrelated to your background, feel free to ignore it. Use your best judgment.
Following Up After Your Initial Response
Make sure to follow up if you don’t hear back from the recruiter within a few days of your initial response. Send a friendly note checking on the status of the role and reaffirming your interest.
If they get back to schedule a screening call or interview, be sure to thank them for the quick reply and confirm your availability. This keeps the positive momentum going.
However, if they reply saying the role has been filled or they’re pursuing other candidates, don’t despair. Thank them for considering you and mention you’d be open to connecting about other opportunities down the line.
Tips for LinkedIn Recruiter Conversations
Here are some additional tips for communicating effectively with LinkedIn recruiters:
- Maintain a warm, enthusiastic tone throughout your exchanges
- Ask thoughtful questions to show interest in the company and role
- Avoid oversharing irrelevant personal details
- Follow up promptly if you don’t hear back
- Say thank you again at the end of screening calls or interviews
With the right etiquette, you can build strong relationships with recruiters on LinkedIn and maximize your chances of landing interviews and job offers.
Sample Responses to LinkedIn Recruiter Messages
Review these sample responses to see examples of how to craft an effective reply to a LinkedIn recruiter:
Sample 1
Hi [Recruiter Name],
Thank you for reaching out about the [Role] position with [Company]. This sounds like a great opportunity based on the job description.
I’d be happy to schedule a call to learn more details about the day-to-day responsibilities and skills needed for success in this role. Please feel free to review my LinkedIn profile here: [LinkedIn URL]
What are the immediate priorities and expectations for this position in the first 3-6 months? I look forward to your insight.
Best,
[Your Name]
Sample 2
Dear [Recruiter],
Thank you for contacting me about the [Role] opening at [Company]. I appreciate you thinking of me.
The position sounds very intriguing, especially the aspects of [Skill/Responsibility]. I would welcome the opportunity to have an exploratory discussion and learn more details about the day-to-day in this role.
Please let me know the next steps in the interview process. I’m available on [Date] or [Date] for an initial phone screening if those dates work for you.
Looking forward to connecting further!
Best,
[Your Name]
Sample Follow Up
Hi [Recruiter],
I wanted to follow up on my application for the [Role] position at [Company]. I thoroughly enjoyed learning more in our initial screening call last week.
Please let me know if you need any additional information for the hiring team. I’m excited about the prospect of joining [Company] and would appreciate any update you can provide on status.
Thank you again for considering me for this opportunity. I look forward to hearing from you.
Best,
[Your Name]
Conclusion
Responding promptly and professionally to LinkedIn recruiter messages can help you expand your network and land exciting new job opportunities. The key is to express interest, ask thoughtful questions, and avoid overcommitting before you have all the details.
With practice, you’ll become comfortable engaging recruiters on LinkedIn and make a great impression. Just remember to be yourself while putting your best foot forward.