Connecting with recruiters on LinkedIn can be an effective way to explore new job opportunities and advance your career. However, sending an initial message to a recruiter requires some strategy. You want to make a good first impression and stand out from the many other messages recruiters receive. In this article, we’ll explore some tips for crafting the perfect introductory message to send to a recruiter on LinkedIn.
Research the company and role
Before reaching out to a recruiter, take some time to thoroughly research the company they work for and any open positions that may be a potential fit for you. This will allow you to tailor your message specifically for that recruiter and role, demonstrating your interest, qualifications, and fit. Check the company’s website, news articles, LinkedIn page, and any employee profiles to get a sense of their mission, values, culture, and initiatives.
Personalize your message
One of the worst things you can do is send a generic message to a recruiter. Instead, personalize your note to showcase that you took the time to research the company and role, and explain why you are interested specifically in that opportunity. Mention any connections you may have with the company, such as if you use their product/services or know someone who works there. Personalization and authenticity will make you stand out.
Keep it brief but compelling
You want your introductory message to a recruiter to be succinct and compelling. Aim for a brief 2-4 sentences that convey your interest, qualifications, and fit for the role or company. Being clear and concise will increase the likelihood that the recruiter reads and responds. Avoid overly formal language and get right to the point. However, make sure to come across as friendly and enthusiastic.
Highlight relevant skills and experience
One of the key components of your message should be highlighting skills, achievements, or experiences that make you a strong candidate. What makes you uniquely qualified for this position? Mention one or two relevant accomplishments from your background that align with the recruiter’s open role. Focus on hard skills and quantifiable results especially. This will grab the recruiter’s attention.
Express your passion
In addition to your qualifications, convey genuine passion and interest in the company and role. Recruiters want to get a sense that you are excited about the opportunities they offer and eager to contribute your talents. Share why you are drawn to the company’s mission, values, projects, or team culture. Let your enthusiasm come across.
Include a call to action
Wrap up your introductory recruiter message with a call to action, such as requesting a phone call to further discuss your background and interest in opportunities. This gives the recruiter a clear next step and incentive to continue the dialogue. Politely ask if they would have time for a brief phone conversation in the coming weeks.
Proofread before sending
Nothing will sabotage your message faster than typos, grammatical errors, or other obvious mistakes. Be sure to carefully proofread your note before hitting send. Ask a friend to review as well. This shows professionalism and attention to detail. Recruiters will be far more likely to respond to polished messages.
Sample LinkedIn Message Templates
To further illustrate, here are a few sample LinkedIn message templates you can tailor:
Sample 1
Dear [Recruiter Name],
I noticed [Company Name] is hiring for a [Role Name] on LinkedIn. As a [your profession] with [X] years of experience in [skillset/industry], I am very interested in this opportunity.
I have followed [Company Name] and their [products/services/missions] closely over the years. [Mention 1-2 specifics you admire about the company]. I would excel in the role because of my background in [relevant key skills/achievements/expertise].
Please let me know if you have time for a quick phone call to discuss my qualifications and learn more about the role and team. I look forward to speaking with you soon.
Best,
[Your Name]
Sample 2
Dear [Recruiter],
My name is [Your Name] and I hope you are doing well. I came across the opening for a [Role Name] at [Company] on LinkedIn and think it is an amazing fit for me.
As a [current position] at [current company], I have cultivated expertise in [relevant key skills] and consistently delivered results, including [achievement statistic/award/metric].
[Company’s] mission and focus on [detail aligning with your values] strongly appeals to me. I would be thrilled to join your team of talented professionals. Please let me know if you have time in the coming weeks to connect about the role. I can be reached at [your phone and/or email].
Thank you,
[Your Name]
Sample 3
Hi [Recruiter],
I hope this message finds you well! My name is [Your Name], and I have applied for the [Role Name] role at [Company]. As a passionate [your profession] with a successful background in [X skills/achievements], I believe I am a great fit for this opportunity.
In particular, I was excited to see [Company] prioritizes [value/mission/culture element] as this directly aligns with my approach to [relevant experience/example/skill] during my [X] years in the industry. I would love to join a team equally dedicated to [detail].
Please let me know if you would have time for a quick phone call this week to discuss the role and my qualifications. I can be flexible to accommodate your schedule. Looking forward to it!
Best regards,
[Your Name]
Tips for Following Up
If you do not receive a response from the recruiter to your initial message, do not get discouraged. Following up shows persistence. Here are some tips:
- Wait at least one week before following up
- Keep the follow-up brief, politely re-expressing your interest in opportunities
- Change the message slightly – do not simply re-send the same note
- If you have any new achievements or developments in your career since the first message, mention those
- Consider following up a second time if you still do not get a response after another 1-2 weeks
Persistence and professionalism in your follow-ups will often pay off.
Connect in Other Ways
In addition to direct messages, here are some other ways to get on a recruiter’s radar on LinkedIn:
- Comment on their posts with your insights and praise for their content
- Like and share their posts to increase visibility
- Join and participate actively in LinkedIn Groups that they are in
- Connect with their colleagues and team members
- Follow the company page and engage with their content
This establishes your presence and gets you noticed in the network.
Put Your Best Foot Forward
Your LinkedIn profile itself is one of the first places a recruiter will look when assessing you as a candidate. Be sure your profile is up-to-date and represents you in the best possible light:
- Professional headshot photo
- Succinct, keyword-rich headline
- Compelling summary section highlighting your value proposition
- Easy to scan experience section with key achievements called out
- Relevant skills, endorsements, and recommendations
- Links to portfolios, websites, or projects
- Customized background photo (optional)
With a stellar profile and compelling, personalized introductory message, you will make a winning first impression on recruiters.
Optimize Your LinkedIn Settings
To further increase your visibility with recruiters, optimize these key LinkedIn account settings:
- Indicate you are open to new opportunities
- Expand your preferences for types of roles
- Opt into LinkedIn’s Open Candidate feature
- Adjust your settings to signal you welcome messages from recruiters
- Expand notifications to see new job postings and content from your network
- Join LinkedIn Premium to gain insights on your profile views
Leverage Other Job Sites
While LinkedIn is highly effective, also be sure to engage with recruiters and hiring managers through other major job boards and your professional network.
Key Job Sites
Job Site | Overview |
---|---|
Indeed | Largest job aggregator that pulls postings from many sites |
Monster | Wide range of tech and non-tech roles |
CareerBuilder | Broad marketplace with resume database access for employers |
ZipRecruiter | Uses matching algorithms to connect candidates with jobs |
Glassdoor | Features company reviews and salary data along with listings |
AngelList | Focused on tech startup and VC roles |
Dice | Specialized for tech job seekers |
Idealist | Nonprofit and social impact opportunities |
Other Tips
In addition to job boards, consider:
- Reaching out directly to companies you are interested in
- Tapping into your alumni networks
- Leveraging connections through professional associations
- Attending industry events, conferences, and networking happy hours
- Connecting with past colleagues and managers
- Joining relevant groups on Facebook
Cast a wide net through your personal and professional networks and see what opportunities emerge.
Make Applying Easy for Recruiters
When you do get positive responses from recruiters, make the application and screening process easy for them:
- Have your resume polished, updated, and ready to submit immediately
- Prepare a list of professional references you can provide upon request
- Be responsive – reply to recruiter contacts quickly to maintain momentum
- Provide all requested information and documentation right away
- Let the recruiter know your interview availability if mentioned next steps
- Follow up with a thank you note after any interviews or interactions
The easier you make their job, the more likely they will be to move you forward in the hiring process.
Things to Avoid with Recruiter Messages
There are also some key things you will want to avoid to prevent sabotaging your outreach efforts:
- Sending the exact same generic message to every recruiter
- Including overly informal language, slang, or emojis
- Asking about salary or benefits too early
- Getting pushy if you do not get an immediate response
- Making exaggerated claims or embellishments
- Communicating unprofessionalism in any way
- Appearing desperate or overly aggressive
- Focusing too much on what the company can do for you
- Letting messages contain errors or sloppy writing
Always make a positive professional impression when interacting with recruiters.
Conclusion
With competition fierce for many roles, crafting the perfect introductory message is critical when reaching out to recruiters on LinkedIn. By researching the company, tailoring your message, highlighting your fit and qualifications, and expressing genuine passion, you can make a compelling case. Follow best practices for optimizing your profile, settings, and engagement on the platform. Extend your search through multiple job boards and networking strategies. If you make the application process easy for recruiters once connected, you will maximize your chances of landing that dream job.