Reaching out to a hiring manager after applying for a job on LinkedIn can significantly increase your chances of getting an interview. However, it’s important to do it tactfully and avoid coming across as too aggressive or desperate. Here are some tips on how to effectively reach out to a hiring manager on LinkedIn after submitting your application:
Wait at least 1-2 weeks before making first contact
Don’t reach out immediately after applying or even within the first week. Hiring managers are busy and likely won’t have reviewed all applicants yet. Wait 1-2 weeks after submitting your application to give them time to look it over before making first contact. Reaching out too soon can seem pushy.
Personalize your message
A generic outreach note like “I applied and am interested in this role” is easy to ignore. Take time to craft a personalized message highlighting why you’re excited about this specific position and company. Mention something that resonates with you about their mission, values, or projects. This shows you’ve done your research and aren’t blindly mass applying.
Keep it short but compelling
Your message should be short and to the point, but with enough detail to pique their interest. 3-4 sentences is ideal. Use your limited space to highlight your most relevant skills or experiences. Give them a reason to want to connect with you further.
Include a call to action
Close your note by proposing next steps, like an introduction call to learn more about the role and their goals for this hire. This makes it easy for them to respond and keeps the ball rolling.
Send individual messages
If you’re applying for multiple roles at the same company, take the time to craft unique outreach messages for each hiring manager rather than blasting out a generic note.
Follow up if no response after 1 week
Sometimes your message may be overlooked in a busy inbox. If you don’t receive a response after about a week, consider a brief follow up expressing continued interest in the role and your eagerness to connect. Avoid sounding entitled or demanding.
How to Find the Right Person to Contact
Identifying and contacting the right hiring manager or recruiter is key to increasing your chances of a response. Here are tips for finding who to reach out to:
Check the job posting
Often the job description will list a point of contact, whether a specific hiring manager, recruiter, or HR representative. Reach out directly to this person.
Look for “open to hire” badges
Some recruiters display badges like “open to work chats” or “accepting applicants” on their profile. Target these recruiters for your outreach.
Do your research
Look for employees, especially managers, in similar roles or departments as the opening you applied for. A quick LinkedIn search can often surface the right people.
Ask connections for introductions
Your own network is a great resource. Ask around to see if anyone can make a personal introduction to the appropriate hiring manager or recruiter. This helps get your foot in the door.
Check team/department pages
Company pages often list out full teams and departments. Research the team your role would be part of to identify the right manager.
Department | Potential Contacts |
---|---|
Engineering | VP of Engineering, Engineering Managers, Technical Recruiters |
Sales | Sales Managers, Sales Operations Leads |
Marketing | CMO, Marketing Managers |
How to Craft an Effective Outreach Message
Follow these best practices when drafting your initial outreach message:
Personalized greeting
Avoid generic greetings like “Dear hiring manager”. Use their first name if you know it, or say something like “Hi [Name], I hope you’re doing well.”
Introduction
Briefly introduce yourself, your background/experiences, and why you’re reaching out. Mention the specific role you applied for.
Why you’re interested
Explain what excites you most about the company or role, showcasing aligned values, passions, or skills. Share high-level details only 1-2 sentences.
Value proposition
Highlight your unique value add in 1-2 sentences. Focus on skills, accomplishments, or experiences that make you the ideal candidate.
Call to action
Close by proposing next steps, like a quick phone call to further discuss your qualifications. Provide your contact info and availability.
Appreciation & sign off
Thank them for their time and consideration. Use a professional sign-off like “Best” or “Sincerely”. Sign with your full name.
Sample Outreach Messages
Here are some examples of well-crafted LinkedIn outreach messages:
Entry-level applicant
Dear Camilla,
I hope you’re having a great week! I recently applied for the entry-level financial analyst position at Smith & Co through LinkedIn and am very interested in this opportunity. As a recent finance graduate with leadership experience and Excel expertise, I think I would thrive in this role. I would love to connect with you briefly via phone to introduce myself and learn more about Smith & Co’s growth plans, ideal candidate background, and day-to-day work. Please let me know if you have 20-30 minutes in the next week for a quick phone call. I look forward to hearing from you soon to further discuss my qualifications.
Thank you,
John Smith
123-456-7890
[email protected]
Experienced applicant
Hi Julie,
My name is Sarah Johnson. I’m a digital marketing manager with over 7 years of experience driving ROI growth for brands like XYZ Corp and 123 Inc. I was excited to come across your open senior marketing manager role overseeing digital strategy. Your success revamping ABC’s social media presence and content marketing is impressive. I would love to connect via phone to discuss how my expertise in SEO, paid acquisition, and email nurturing could help drive qualified traffic and leads in support of your 2022 business goals. Are you available for a quick intro call later this week or early next week?
Looking forward to learning more,
Sarah
Referral from connection
Rosa,
Hope all is well! Marcus Jones passed along your contact info and suggested I reach out. I recently applied for the software engineering manager role at Acme Corp through LinkedIn. As an engineering leader with 10+ years overseeing agile teams and implementing CI/CD pipelines, I think I could make an immediate impact on optimizing Acme’s delivery lifecycle. When might you have time for a quick intro call to discuss the role and your team initiatives? I look forward to learning more!
Regards,
Michael
Follow up message
Hi Nate,
I hope you’re doing well. I wanted to follow up on the LinkedIn message I sent last week regarding the sales manager role with XYZ Company. I’m extremely interested in bringing my 8+ years of quota-crushing sales management experience to your team. Are you available for a quick phone call this week to discuss? I can make myself available whenever works best for you. Looking forward to connecting further!
Thank you,
Lisa
How to Increase Your Chances of Getting a Response
Beyond a compelling message, there are several other things you can do to boost your odds of hearing back:
Connect first
Try sending a connection request with a personalized note before reaching out about the role itself. Building a connection first makes you less “cold.”
Mention referrals
Namedrop any mutual connections who referred you or have a relationship with the hiring manager to grab their attention.
Follow up
Don’t be afraid to follow up a week later if you don’t get an initial response, but avoid sounding entitled.
Check LinkedIn activity
Make sure they’re active on LinkedIn before reaching out to ensure they’ll see your message.
Use creativity
Consider LinkedIn videos or other multimedia to make your outreach really stand out from the pack.
Watch your timing
Avoid outreach on weekends or late nights that may be inconvenient times to respond.
What to Do If You Get Rejected
If your outreach gets rejected or ignored, here are some tips on what to do next:
Don’t take it personally
Hiring is an inherently subjective process with lots of variables. Assume the issue lies with timing or circumstances rather than you as a candidate.
Ask for feedback
Politely reply back asking for any feedback on why your background isn’t the right fit at the moment so you can improve for future roles. But don’t argue or negotiate.
Request they keep you in mind
Ask them to keep you in their network for potential future openings where you may be a better match. Stay on their radar.
Build connections
Connect with other leaders and talent at the company. Expanding your network boosts future job prospects there.
Be gracious
Always maintain a positive, gracious tone even in rejection. You never know where connections will lead down the road.
Move on constructively
Take time to process the rejection but avoid dwelling on it too long. Shift your focus to new opportunities where you’re likely a better cultural and skills fit.
Conclusion
Reaching out directly to a recruiter or hiring manager after applying for a job on LinkedIn can give you a major competitive edge. But it needs to be executed carefully and strategically. Follow these best practices on who to contact, crafting an effective outreach message, gracefully handling rejection, and following up at the right times. With the right approach, a bit of persistence, and some personalization, you can greatly increase your odds of successfully connecting with hiring decision makers and landing interviews. Just remember to always maintain a professional tone as you expand your professional network and continue putting your best foot forward.