LinkedIn has become an invaluable tool for networking and making professional connections. With over 722 million users worldwide, LinkedIn provides access to a massive pool of professionals across all industries and career levels. This includes a significant number of HR professionals and recruiters. So is it acceptable to reach out directly to HR and recruiters on LinkedIn if you’re interested in job opportunities? Here’s a look at some of the main considerations.
The Benefits of Messaging HR on LinkedIn
There can be some clear advantages to messaging HR and recruiters directly on LinkedIn:
- It allows you to be proactive in your job search rather than just passively applying to job postings.
- You can express specific interest in working for a particular company or in a certain role.
- Directly targeting companies and recruiters enables you to tap into “hidden” job market opportunities that may not be publicly advertised.
- You can make connections and expand your professional network in the process.
- Messaging shows initiative and demonstrates your interest in working for the company.
In many cases, HR and recruiting professionals appreciate hearing directly from interested and qualified candidates via LinkedIn messages. It gives them a chance to get to know candidates better outside of the traditional application process.
Potential Drawbacks of Messaging HR
However, there are also some potential drawbacks to consider when messaging HR and recruiters directly on LinkedIn:
- It can come across as unsolicited if you message someone out of the blue.
- You may message at an inconvenient time when the recruiter is busy or overwhelmed.
- HR may prefer candidates to follow the standard application process.
- Your message may get overlooked or ignored amid many other messages.
- You may come across as overly aggressive or demanding.
Essentially, improper messaging tactics can turn off HR and leave a bad impression of you as a candidate. So it’s key to use caution and etiquette when reaching out on LinkedIn.
Tips for Messaging HR on LinkedIn
If you do decide to message HR and recruiters on LinkedIn, here are some tips to increase your chances of success:
- Personalize each message – Do not copy/paste generic messages.
- Be concise yet descriptive – Get to the point within 2-3 sentences.
- Highlight your fit and interest in the company.
- Mention any common connections you share.
- Have an updated LinkedIn profile that sells your background and skills.
- Follow up if you don’t get a response within 1-2 weeks.
- Avoid any sense of entitlement or desperation.
- Use proper grammar, punctuation, capitalization etc.
- Stay positive and polite even if rejected.
- Don’t stalk or excessively message the same HR contacts.
The key is to make your messages friendly, professional, and value-adding for the HR professional rather than simply asking about job opportunities.
Who to Message on LinkedIn
Carefully consider who you reach out to within your target companies on LinkedIn:
- HR Managers and Recruiters – Appropriate if you’re interested in opportunities.
- Department Managers – Good if looking to join specific teams.
- Team Members – Get insider perspective and possibly referrals.
- Company Founders/Executives – Use caution and only if highly relevant.
Avoid messaging anyone too far outside your area. Focus on HR, hiring managers, and team members closely tied to your field.
HR Job Titles to Consider Messaging
- Recruiter
- Head of Talent Acquisition
- Staffing Manager
- HR Generalist
- HR Manager
- HR Coordinator
- HR Associate
Messaging Etiquette
Here are some dos and don’ts to keep in mind when messaging HR professionals on LinkedIn:
DO:
- Be polite and gracious
- Introduce yourself
- briefly Explain why you’re reaching out
- Keep messages short
- Reference common connections
- Say thanks even if rejected
DON’T:
- Use casual language
- Ask about salary or benefits prematurely
- Get pushy if you don’t get a quick reply
- Mention other job offers or prospects
- Cross into hard sell/desperate territory
Pay close attention to the tone and language used in your messages to ensure you come across as a thoughtful, professional candidate.
Ideal Message Structure
Structure your LinkedIn messages like this for maximum effectiveness:
- Personalized greeting
- Brief self introduction
- Explanation of your interest in the company/role
- Highlight of your relevant background/experience
- Question or call to action for the recruiter
- Expression of thanks
This covers all the key bases while keeping messages focused and skimmable for HR professionals.
Sample Messages to HR
Here are some example template messages you can use when reaching out to HR professionals on LinkedIn:
Example 1:
Hi [Name],
My name is [Your Name] and I noticed that you work in HR at [Company]. I’m very interested in [job title or opening you’re targeting] opportunities at [Company] due to [reasons you’re interested].
I have [X] years of experience in [your field] and would excel in this role because [highlight relevant skills and achievements]. I believe my background and skills align well with your open positions. Do you anticipate any hiring needs for [job title] roles in the near future?
I’d appreciate the opportunity to connect and discuss any possible openings at your company. If there’s someone else I should be speaking with about opportunities at [Company], please let me know and I’d be happy to reach out.
Thank you for your time and consideration. I look forward to hearing from you.
Best,
[Your Name]
Example 2:
Dear [HR Contact Name],
I hope this message finds you well. My name is [Your Name], and I was excited to discover [Company] is hiring for [job title] roles based on your recent posts. I have been following [Company] and am thoroughly impressed by [recent news, achievements, values, or mission]. It seems like an outstanding place to work.
I would be thrilled to bring my background in [your field] and expertise in [relevant skills] to a [job title] position at a fast-growing, innovative company like [Company]. I have been specializing in [job function/field] for the past [X] years and believe I could add value in [ways you could contribute].
Please let me know if you anticipate any [job title] openings in the near future. I would love to connect and discuss how I could potentially contribute to your team’s continued success.
Thank you for your consideration,
[Your Name]
The key is to get right to the point while highlighting your fit and enthusiasm. Avoid anything sounding like a sales pitch or template message.
Following Up Politely
If you don’t receive any response within 1-2 weeks, it’s appropriate to follow up. However, tread carefully in your follow-up messages:
- Be gracious and understanding – Don’t appear annoyed or entitled.
- Keep it brief and casual – “Just wanted to follow up on my last message in case it got lost in the shuffle!”
- If rejected, politely accept the decision.
- Max 1-2 follow-up attempts before moving on.
- Spread out follow-up messages 2-4 weeks apart.
With the volume of messages HR receives, follow-ups are expected. Just maintain professionalism and accept any outcome gracefully.
When to Message HR on LinkedIn
Timing is an important factor when reaching out to HR contacts on LinkedIn:
- Morning or mid-week tend to have the highest response rates.
- Avoid early/late hours or weekends if possible.
- Watch for indicators HR contacts are active online.
- Capitalize on recent connections and new followers.
- Time messages around major news/events from the company.
While there are no hard rules, you generally want to aim for Tuesday-Thursday during typical business hours for messaging HR.
HR Response Times on LinkedIn
When can you expect a reply from HR professionals on LinkedIn? Here are some typical HR response times:
HR Contact | Average Response Time |
---|---|
Recruiters | 24-48 hours |
HR Managers | 3-5 days |
Executives | 1-2 weeks |
Recruiters tend to be the fastest since hiring is their focus. Executives are slower due to their workload.
Following Up After Connecting on LinkedIn
Once you’ve successfully connected with HR contacts on LinkedIn, here are tips for following up:
- Wait at least 2-3 days after connecting before messaging.
- Mention the recent connection in your message.
- Quickly reiterate your background and interest.
- Ask about the best next steps in the process.
- Suggest a phone call, meeting, or email exchange.
- Short and sweet is best – 3-5 sentences max.
The follow up after connecting is where you segue the conversation into possible next steps in applying for a role.
How HR Views LinkedIn Messages
Before reaching out to HR professionals on LinkedIn, it helps to understand their mindset and perspective:
- Wary of canned templates and sales pitches
- Want to see effort and personalization
- Looking for cultural and skill fit
- Will assess professionalism and tone
- Wish to gauge interest and enthusiasm in company
- Care about presentation, grammar, background
- Understand volume of messages received
Essentially, HR wants to get a sense of who you are and what you bring to the table beyond just qualifications on paper.
HR Pet Peeves on LinkedIn
Here are some top HR pet peeves to avoid when messaging recruiters and HR contacts on LinkedIn:
- Spelling/grammar mistakes
- Simply asking if jobs are available
- Send same message to too many contacts
- Using informal language
- Not reading their profile first
- Not explaining why you’re reaching out
- Asking about salary/benefits too soon
Proofread carefully and personalize each message to avoid annoying HR off the bat.
Handling Rejection from HR on LinkedIn
There’s always the possibility your message gets ignored or rejected by HR contacts on LinkedIn. If this happens, handle it gracefully:
- Politely accept the decision
- Ask for feedback you can learn from
- Avoid arguing or negativity
- Don’t take it personally
- Thank them for consideration
- Refrain from burning bridges
Rejections happen, so have humility and maturity in handling them. This leaves a positive impression on HR and keeps doors open down the road.
Reasons HR May Not Reply on LinkedIn
There are various reasons an HR professional may not respond to your LinkedIn message, including:
- No appropriate roles/openings currently
- Already have sufficient candidates
- Not the right contact or timing
- Poor message structure and content
- Preference for traditional application process
- Profile lacking key details or qualifications
Rather than take it personally, learn from any non-replies and continue networking professionally.
Mistakes to Avoid Messaging HR
When reaching out to HR and recruiters on LinkedIn, be sure to avoid these common messaging mistakes:
- Spelling and grammar errors
- Long-winded messages
- Generic copy/paste messages
- Aggressive salesy language
- Submitting at odd hours
- Pushing too hard for a response
- Messaging too frequently
- Forgetting to personalize
Proofread, keep it brief, and use a personalized approach in your communications with HR contacts.
Building Rapport with HR after Connecting on LinkedIn
Once you connect with HR professionals on LinkedIn, focus on relationship-building:
- Personalized follow up messages
- Share relevant articles/content
- Comment on updates and posts from them
- Offer to connect them with relevant people
- Express interest in company updates
- Congratulate on work milestones and achievements
This shows you’re interested in more than just advancing your job search. Aim to provide value.
Alternatives to Messaging HR on LinkedIn
If uncomfortable reaching out to HR directly on LinkedIn, consider these alternative options:
- Apply through company website
- Attending recruiting events
- Using your own network contacts at the company
- Connecting with team members instead of HR
- Following company pages for job postings
You can still engage HR indirectly through content sharing, commenting, and groups rather than direct outreach.
Conclusion
Messaging HR and recruiters on LinkedIn requires a delicate balancing act. With the right approach, it can be an excellent way to get your foot in the door and display enthusiasm beyond a standard application. However, improper messaging tactics can quickly backfire and eliminate job prospects.
Craft personalized, value-adding messages demonstrating your professionalism, passion, and qualifications. Follow etiquette guidelines and be prepared to accept rejection gracefully if it occurs. With the proper framing, messaging HR on LinkedIn can provide a valuable networking opportunity even if specific openings are not available currently.
Remember to proofread carefully, make messages relatable and conversational, follow up politely, and focus on building relationships rather than just advancing your own job search. With extra care and consideration, many HR professionals are open to being approached thoughtfully via LinkedIn messages.