Cold messaging recruiters and hiring managers on LinkedIn to inquire about open positions and express interest in their companies has become an increasingly common and effective job search strategy. With over 800 million members on the platform, LinkedIn provides access to a massive network of professionals and an opportunity to directly connect with relevant decision makers. However, crafting an effective cold outreach message that captures attention and prompts a response can be a challenge. Using a template can help streamline the process while still ensuring your message is tailored and thoughtful.
An ideal cold message template for LinkedIn will include:
- A personalized greeting with the recipient’s name
- A brief introduction about yourself and why you are reaching out
- Mention of the open position or company that you are interested in
- A few highlights of your background and qualifications
- A call to action with next steps for continuing the conversation
The goal is to provide just enough context and details to demonstrate alignment with the role and spark interest in learning more about you. At the same time, you want to be concise and avoid inundating the reader with too much text.
Here are some examples and tips for crafting an effective cold message template for LinkedIn recruiting and hiring contacts:
Personalized Greeting
Always start your message with a greeting addressed directly to the recipient by name. This helps personalize the note and avoid coming across as an impersonal blanket message. For example:
Dear [First Name],
Or
Hi [First Name],
If you are unable to find their first name, use their last name or simply greet them by their professional title:
Dear Mr./Ms. [Last Name],
Or
Hello Recruiting Manager,
Avoid generic greetings like “To whom it may concern”, “Dear hiring manager”, or “Dear Sir/Madam” which tend to sound robotic.
The first paragraph should provide a quick introduction explaining who you are and your reason for connecting. Here are a few examples:
My name is [Your Name] and I noticed that [Company Name] recently posted an opening for a [Position Title]. I am extremely interested in this opportunity and believe my background and qualifications are a great match.
Or
I recently came across your profile and saw that you work in talent acquisition at [Company Name]. I have long admired [Company Name] and have extensive experience in [their industry/field]. I would love to explore any current openings you may have.
This introduction should be concise – no more than 1-2 sentences. It establishes context on who you are and why you are reaching out to them specifically.
Mention Position/Company of Interest
In the second paragraph, reiterate the specific position, job posting, or company that you are interested in. This helps show that you have done your research and are not just blindly messaging every recruiter on LinkedIn.
For example:
I noticed that [Company Name] has an opening for a [Position Title] in [Location]. As an experienced [relevant skill/experience], I am very interested in this role and believe I would be a competitive applicant.
Or
After reviewing the job description, I’m confident my [X] years of experience in [relevant skill/experience] would make me a strong candidate for the [Position Title] role currently posted on your website.
If applying speculatively without a specific role in mind, mention your interest in the company or industry:
Although I don’t see any current openings listed, I am very interested in opportunities at [Company Name] and am eager to bring my background in [relevant experience] to a fast-paced [industry adjective, e.g. dynamic, innovative, etc] company like yours.
Mentioning the specific position or company helps avoid coming across as a generic message blasted out to every recruiter.
Highlight Qualifications
The body of the message should include a brief overview of your background, experience, and skills that make you a strong match for the role or company. Focus on highlights that are most relevant and avoid reiterating everything from your resume.
For example:
Through my [X] years of experience as a [job title/experience], I have developed expertise in:
– [Relevant skill/achievement 1]
– [Relevant skill/achievement 2]
– [Relevant skill/achievement 3]
Or
Some of the key qualifications and attributes I would bring to this opportunity include:
– [X] years of hands-on experience with [relevant requirement from job description]
– Successful track record [achievement demonstrating desired skill/experience]
– Strong [soft skill] honed through [situation/example]
– [Industry/company specific knowledge or experience]
– [Education/certification] in [field/specialization]
Tailor which qualifications you highlight based on the role and your top selling points. Limit to 3-5 key items to avoid overwhelming the reader. You can provide additional details and examples during interviews.
Call to Action
Conclude your message with a call to action providing clear next steps and expressing your enthusiasm. For example:
I would welcome the opportunity to speak with you further about this opening and my qualifications. Please let me know if you would be available for a quick phone call or to hop on a Zoom. I can be reached at [phone number] or [email address]. Thank you for your time and consideration. I look forward to hearing from you soon.
Or
I am extremely excited about the prospect of contributing my skills and experience to the team at [Company Name]. Please let me know the best way to move forward with the application process. You can reach me at [contact info]. I look forward to further discussing this opportunity!
This conclusion keeps the conversation going by prompting a response and providing your contact details. Avoid asking if they have “a few minutes to talk”, which can sound pushy. Instead provide options for scheduling a call or indicate your flexibility to connect using their preferred method.
Full Template
Putting it all together, here is a complete cold message template that can be customized:
Dear [First Name],
My name is [Your Name] and I noticed that [Company Name] recently posted an opening for a [Position Title]. I am extremely interested in this opportunity and believe my background and qualifications are a great match.
Through my [X] years of experience as a [job title/experience], I have developed expertise in:
– [Relevant skill/achievement 1]
– [Relevant skill/achievement 2]
– [Relevant skill/achievement 3]I would welcome the opportunity to speak with you further about this opening and my qualifications. Please let me know if you would be available for a quick phone call or to hop on a Zoom. I can be reached at [phone number] or [email address].
Thank you for your time and consideration. I look forward to hearing from you soon.
Best,
[Your Name]
The template can be adjusted based on whether you are applying for a specific role or speculatively reaching out. The key is keeping each section concise, personalized, and focused on demonstrating your fit and interest.
Customization Tips
While using a template can provide an outline, it is critical that you customize and tailor each message to the specific recipient and role. Here are some tips:
- Research the company, hiring manager, and open position(s) before reaching out. Reference specifics in your message.
- Highlight qualifications and experience that directly match the job or company needs.
- Adjust the tone based on the recipient’s profile. More formal for recruiters vs conversational for hiring managers.
- Avoid copying exact text from LinkedIn profiles or job posts. Paraphrase relevant details.
- Use a subject line that signals the purpose, such as “Interest in [Job Title]” or “Exploring Opportunities at [Company]”.
Taking the time to personalize will demonstrate effort and increase the odds of a response. Avoid anything that looks like a generic blanket message.
Key Takeaways
Here are the key elements to an effective LinkedIn cold message template for recruiters and hiring managers:
- Personalized greeting with recipient’s name
- Brief introduction stating your reason for connecting
- Mention of the specific job posting or company of interest
- Summary of your most relevant qualifications and experience
- Call to action with next steps and contact information
- Customization to show tailored research and fit
Following this template helps ensure you succinctly convey your background, fit, and enthusiasm in a compelling way tailored to the recipient. With some personalization, it can take your LinkedIn job search outreach to the next level. Just be sure to monitor your messages and follow up as needed to increase the chance of connecting!
Example Messages
To further illustrate, here are some complete example cold messages using the template structure:
Message 1
Subject: Interested in Data Scientist Role
Dear Yolanda,
My name is Michael Smith and I noticed Company XYZ recently posted an opening for a Data Scientist. As an experienced data analytics professional with over 5 years in the field, I am extremely interested in this opportunity and believe my background is a strong match.
In my current role as Lead Data Analyst at Acme Inc., I have developed expertise in:
– Building predictive models and machine learning algorithms to derive insights from large datasets
– Communicating technical data analysis and results to stakeholders
– Identifying trends and patterns in data to drive business strategy and optimizations
I would love to discuss this opening as well as any other related opportunities that may arise. Please let me know if you would have time for a quick call this week. I can be reached at 123-456-7890 or [email protected].
Thank you for your consideration. I look forward to learning more about the data science initiatives at Company XYZ.
Best,
Michael
Message 2
Subject: Exploring UX Designer Opportunities
Hi John,
My name is Sarah Wilson. I came across your profile and saw that you lead design hiring for TechCorp. I have long admired TechCorp’s Commitment to user-centered design. As an experienced UX designer with 8 years specializing in intuitive app and dashboard interfaces, I am eager to explore any current openings.
Some of my key qualifications include:
– End-to-end experience conducting user research, prototyping, creating wireframes, and building polished visual designs
– Strong portfolio of past UX projects for mobile apps and SaaS platforms
– History of collaborating closely with product managers and engineers
– Passion for enhancing user experiences and satisfaction
Please let me know if you have time for a quick call to discuss UX design opportunities at TechCorp. I can be reached at 234-567-8901 or [email protected]. Thank you for considering my background. I look forward to learning more!
Regards,
Sarah
Key Takeaways
– Personalized greeting
– Brief introduction
– Mention of specific role/company
– Summary of 2-3 key relevant qualifications
– Call to action with contact info
– Customized details for each recipient
Following this template can help craft an effective cold message that gets responses from LinkedIn recruiting and hiring contacts. The key is balancing brevity with personalization. Let me know if you need any other tips or examples for outreach messages!
Additional Cold Messaging Best Practices
Beyond the template structure, here are some additional best practices for crafting effective LinkedIn cold messages:
- Keep it short – Messages should be no more than 3-5 concise paragraphs. Avoid giant blocks of text.
- Proofread for errors – Carefully check for typos, grammatical errors, and inaccurate details before sending.
- Use a professional tone – Be polite and formal but also conversational. Avoid being too casual.
- Follow up – If you don’t receive a response within a week, consider sending a polite follow up expressing continued interest.
- Customize connection requests – When sending connection invites, briefly note why you want to connect in the message field.
- Reference specifics – Include relevant details like mutual connections, projects, experiences, and interests.
- Provide value – Offer helpful industry insights or other unique value beyond just pitching yourself.
- Avoid attachments – Don’t attach resumes or files unless specifically requested.
Applying these tips along with a strong template can take your LinkedIn cold messaging to the next level. Just remember – quality over quantity. Carefully targeted, personalized outreach almost always wins over spamming every recruiter in sight.
Handling Rejections or Non-Responses
The reality is you will not always get a response to LinkedIn cold messages, even when carefully crafted. Do not take it personally. Here are some tips for handling non-responses or rejections:
- Follow up once, briefly and politely, before moving on. For example: “Hi [Name], Just wanted to reiterate my interest in [role/company] and see if you received my previous message?”
- Try connecting with additional contacts at the company on LinkedIn to expand your outreach.
- Apply for openings through the company website job board rather than only relying on LinkedIn.
- Review your messaging strategy and template language to improve it for next time.
- Continue networking and looking for contacts at your target companies.
- If rejected, politely reply thanking them for consideration and expressing interest in future roles.
- Stay persistent but also accept some outreach will not get responses – it’s nothing personal!
By following up politely, expanding your targets, iterating, and staying determined, you can overcome non-responses and eventually connect with the right people. Timing and luck also play a role, so keep trying!
Conclusion
LinkedIn cold messaging provides a valuable way to directly reach recruiters and hiring managers during your job search. While it requires effort to craft personalized, compelling outreach, the payoff can be huge in terms of landing interviews. Using the template and tips in this article, you can create effective messages that get responses and advance your candidacy. The key is tailoring each note to show genuine interest and fit. With the right strategy, cold messaging can unlock many more opportunities and become one of your most effective job search tools. Just stay persistent and don’t get discouraged by occasional non-responses along the way. Wishing you the best of luck strengthening your outreach and landing your next dream role!