Telling a recruiter that you are interested in an open position on LinkedIn is a great way to get your foot in the door and be considered for job opportunities. LinkedIn has become one of the top platforms for both recruiters and job seekers, so leveraging your network and connections on the site can help advance your career. Here are some tips on how to effectively communicate your interest in a role to a recruiter on LinkedIn.
Make sure your profile is up to date
Before reaching out to a recruiter, you’ll want to make sure your LinkedIn profile is polished and represents you in the best possible light. Recruiters will likely look at your profile before engaging with you, so having an accurate, detailed profile is key. Include all of your recent work experience, skills, accomplishments, education, certifications, and any other relevant details. Customize your LinkedIn URL and headline to showcase your professional brand. Update your profile photo to be a clear, professional headshot. The more complete your profile, the better sense a recruiter will get of you as a candidate.
Research the company and role
Take some time to thoroughly research the company posting the job as well as the role itself. Read through the job description carefully and make note of the required qualifications and responsibilities. Browse through the company’s website to get a feel for their products/services, culture, values, mission, and any recent news. Follow the company’s LinkedIn page to stay up to date. This will allow you to speak knowledgeably about the company and position when reaching out to the recruiter.
Express your interest directly
Once you’ve found a job posting that seems like a good fit, there are a few options for expressing interest directly to the recruiter:
- Apply through LinkedIn – There may be an “Easy Apply” button on the job posting that allows you to submit your profile as an application with one click.
- Message the recruiter – Send an InMail or direct message introducing yourself, listing your relevant experience, and conveying your interest in the role.
- Comment on the post – Write a comment on the job posting about why you are interested in and well-suited for the position.
Whichever method you choose, be sure to specifically call out the job title and company so the recruiter knows exactly which role you are applying for.
Mention any connections
If you have any existing connections to the company or recruiter on LinkedIn, politely mention this in your outreach. For example, you may state that you are already connected to one of the company’s employees, or that you have interacted with the recruiter through LinkedIn previously. This shared connection can help get your foot in the door.
Tailor your message
A generic outreach note is easy for a recruiter to disregard. Take the time to personalize your message based on the specific job opportunity. Mention why you are genuinely interested in and excited about this role and company. Align your experience and skills with the position requirements called out in the job posting. This level of customization will go a long way in capturing the recruiter’s attention.
Attach an updated resume
In addition to your LinkedIn profile, be sure to provide the recruiter with an updated resume that highlights your most relevant experience, achievements, and qualifications. Many recruiters still rely heavily on resumes during the hiring screening process. You can attach your resume to an InMail or message thread to make their job easier.
Act promptly
Try to reach out to the recruiter as soon as possible after the job posting goes live. Many jobs attract hundreds of applicants in a short time span. By contacting the recruiter early in the process, your message is more likely to get noticed rather than buried. Turn on job alerts in LinkedIn to be notified when relevant new postings go up.
Follow up
If you haven’t received a response from the recruiter within about a week, consider sending a polite follow-up message checking on the status of the role and reaffirming your interest. Sometimes messages can get overlooked in a crowded inbox. A quick follow up might prompt the recruiter to revisit your initial outreach. Just be careful not to pester the recruiter with too many follow-up notes.
Connect beyond the job post
In addition to responding to specific job postings, look for opportunities to connect more broadly with recruiters and hiring managers in your industry. Follow relevant company pages to keep tabs on new openings. Comment on recruiters’ posts to get on their radar. Join LinkedIn groups where you can network with professionals in your field. Building connections before jobs are posted can help provide an advantage once you are ready to apply.
Showcase your professional brand
Throughout the process, remember that the recruiter is evaluating you not just on your work history but also your personal brand. Make sure your LinkedIn profile and interactions present you as a thoughtful, engaging, and results-driven professional. Share insights and articles that demonstrate your expertise. Pose thoughtful questions to start constructive conversations. With your professionalism on display, you can earn the recruiter’s endorsement.
Follow up after applying
Once you have expressed interest in the role, make sure to follow up with the recruiter periodically if you don’t hear back right away. Send a message checking on the status of the position a week or so after applying. If the recruiter views your profile, use that as an opening to follow up and reiterate your interest. Continue nurturing the relationship over time by commenting on new job postings, sharing content, and congratulating them on work milestones.
Be gracious at every stage
From your initial outreach to interview follow-ups, always communicate graciously and professionally with the recruiter. Thank them for taking the time to consider your application and provide feedback. If the role ends up going in a different direction, wish them well in finding the right candidate. Your graciousness can leave a lasting positive impression that pays off for future opportunities.
Connect in person
While LinkedIn provides a great platform for engagement, look for opportunities to build rapport with recruiters and hiring managers offline as well. Attend industry events, conferences, and networking meetups where you may interact face-to-face. Introduce yourself to recruiters and share your interest in potential openings. Exchanging business cards and grabbing coffee can help advance your candidacy beyond just an online profile.
Enlist your network
Leverage your existing connections on LinkedIn to get on a recruiter’s radar. Reach out to former colleagues, classmates, professors, or group members that may have relationships with people at your desired company. See if they are willing to share your resume or make an introduction on your behalf. A referral from a mutual contact can help strengthen your candidacy as a known quantity.
Be patient and persistent
In some cases it may take repeated outreach over an extended period to get a recruiter’s attention. Don’t get discouraged if they don’t respond right away. Follow up periodically with new messages highlighting your latest accomplishments or reaffirming your fit. Continually look for new job postings where you can apply. With patience and persistence, you can eventually convince the recruiter to give serious consideration.
Landing a job through LinkedIn requires thoughtful relationship-building and self-promotion. By mastering how to tactfully express interest to recruiters, you can open up more career opportunities. With the right approach, you can turn online connections into real-world job prospects.