Sending a message when applying for a job on LinkedIn is a common question that many job seekers have. LinkedIn has become one of the top places to find and apply for jobs, with over 740 million members worldwide. With so many people using LinkedIn to network and look for opportunities, it’s important to make your application stand out. But should you take the extra step and send a message to the hiring manager or recruiter when applying? There are pros and cons to consider when deciding if messaging will help or hurt your application.
Pros of Sending a Message
Here are some potential benefits of sending a message when applying on LinkedIn:
Gets You Noticed
Sending a message allows you to directly engage with the hiring manager or recruiter beyond just submitting an application. This extra effort could get you noticed among the many other applicants. Personal outreach shows initiative and genuine interest in the role.
Let’s You Introduce Yourself
A message gives you a chance to briefly introduce yourself, explain why you’re interested in the role, and highlight relevant skills or experience. You can provide extra details that may not fit on your resume or in the application form. This gives the hiring manager more context about you as a candidate.
Opens Lines of Communication
Starting a dialogue with the company shows you are eager to learn more about the role and company culture. It gets the lines of communication open so you can ask questions and express interest in moving forward. This also allows you to establish a relationship, making it easier to follow up if you don’t hear back right away.
Sets You Apart
Many applicants just submit applications without any additional outreach. Sending a friendly introductory message can set you apart in a positive way. It signals you are serious and enthusiastic about the role, not just blanketing applications everywhere. This extra effort may capture the hiring manager’s attention.
Increases Visibility
A message directly into the hiring manager’s LinkedIn inbox raises your visibility and pushes your application to the top of the pile. It prevents your application from getting lost in the mix and immediately puts you on their radar when they check LinkedIn messages.
Cons of Sending a Message
However, there are also some potential downsides to consider when debating whether or not to send a message:
Can Be Annoying
Hiring managers and recruiters often get inundated with LinkedIn messages from applicants. One more unnecessary message in their crowded inbox can be annoying. They may see it as spammy if they are already actively reviewing applications.
Comes Across as Desperate
If not crafted carefully, a message can seem over-eager or desperate. Begging for an interview or overselling yourself too hard can hurt rather than help you stand out.
Takes Time
Thoughtful personalized messages do take extra time and effort to write. If applying to many roles, that time adds up. The hiring manager may not even see or read the message, making the effort wasted.
Hard to Get Right
It’s challenging to get the tone and content of an introductory message exactly right. If poorly executed, it could reflect poorly on you.
No Guarantee of Response
There is no guarantee the hiring manager will even respond to or acknowledge your message. Don’t assume a message will automatically get you an interview.
Best Practices for Sending Messages
If you decide to send a message when applying on LinkedIn, follow these best practices:
Keep It Brief
Be succinct and don’t write a novel. A few sentences or short paragraph is plenty to introduce yourself and express interest. Don’t make them read through a lengthy message.
Personalize the Message
Take time to personalize the message with details about why you are genuinely interested in and qualified for that particular role at that particular company. Generic messages come across as spam.
Use a Professional Tone
Avoid using emojis or exclamation points. Adopt a polite, professional tone as you would with a cover letter. Be formal but still friendly.
Highlight Relevant Experience
Quickly summarize your background, skills, or achievements that make you uniquely qualified for the role. But don’t rehash everything already on your resume.
Express Enthusiasm
Let your passion and excitement for the company and position come through in your message. But keep it reasonable and avoid gushing or desperation.
Ask Thoughtful Questions
Pose one or two thoughtful questions that show you researched the company and role. This gives the hiring manager something substantive to respond to.
Check for Typos
Proofread carefully to avoid embarrassing typos that undercut your professionalism. Sloppiness reflects poorly on you.
Follow Up Selectively
Only follow up once if you don’t receive a response after about a week. Avoid pestering them constantly.
Examples of Effective Messages
Here are two example messages that highlight relevant background and interest without being overly salesy:
Example 1
Dear [name],
I was excited to see [company name] recently posted the [job title] role. I have been very impressed with the work your team has done on [relevant initiatives]. I would be thrilled to have the opportunity to contribute my skills in [area] and experience with [specific task] to help drive [company goal] forward. Please let me know if there is any other information I can provide to demonstrate why I would be a great fit for this position. I look forward to hearing from you.
Best,
[Your name]
Example 2
Good morning [name],
My name is [your name] and I recently applied for your open [job title] position at [company name]. As a [your current title] with extensive experience managing [relevant duty] and a track record of [achievement], I am very interested in joining your team. I was especially drawn to this role because of [company name]’s commitment to [value proposition]. I would welcome the opportunity to speak with you in more detail about the position. Please let me know if there is any other information I can provide. I look forward to your response.
Thank you,
[Your name]
Should You Send a Message? The Verdict
So should you send a message when applying for a job on LinkedIn? Here is a summary of the key considerations:
Pros | Cons |
---|---|
Gets you noticed | Can be annoying |
Introduces yourself | Seems desperate |
Opens communication | Takes extra time |
Makes you stand out | Hard to craft well |
Increases visibility | No guarantee of reply |
In most cases, thoughtfully reaching out with a brief, polite message can help make a good impression and strengthen your candidacy when used selectively. However, inundating every application with long generic messages can backfire and irritate busy hiring managers. The best approach is being strategic and intentional, personalizing outreach to roles you are truly excited about rather than blasting out blanket messages.
With the right message sent sparingly to the right opportunities, direct communication on LinkedIn can get your foot in the door. But there is no silver bullet, so temper expectations while leveraging messages as one way to stand out among the crowd. Apply your best judgment on when messaging may help versus hurt your chances.
Key Takeaways
– Sending a message when applying allows you to introduce yourself and show enthusiasm, which can strengthen your candidacy when done selectively.
– However, generic or overly salesy messages can be annoying and reflect poorly on you. Thoughtful personalization and brevity is key.
– Best practices include keeping it brief, highlighting relevant background, expressing genuine interest, and avoiding typos or desperation.
– Messages can get you noticed but are most effective when used intentionally on roles you are truly interested in, not blasted en masse.
– Apply your best judgment on when messaging hiring managers and recruiters may help versus hurt your chances of getting an interview.
Conclusion
LinkedIn provides a valuable way to connect with recruiters and hiring managers during your job search. While sending messages does take extra effort, personalized outreach done strategically can capture attention and strengthen your candidacy. Just be sure any communication comes across as professional rather than pushy or generic. With the right approach, messaging when applying via LinkedIn can help get your foot in the door and land you that interview. But be selective rather than sending an onslaught of messages, and temper expectations while leveraging this tool to complement a well-crafted resume and thoughtful application.