Connecting with the right people on LinkedIn can significantly improve your chances of landing a new job. One great way to get your foot in the door is by messaging someone who has been referred to you for a specific role. However, cold messaging a referral on LinkedIn requires a strategic approach to make a good impression.
Should you cold message a job referral on LinkedIn?
Cold messaging refers to reaching out to someone you have no existing relationship with. In the case of a job referral, someone at the company has likely recommended you as a potential candidate. So while you don’t have a direct connection to the referral, you’re not entirely cold to them either.
Many hiring managers and recruiters say they are open to being contacted by referrals on LinkedIn. In fact, some even prefer it as a way to easily keep track of interested candidates. So there are definitely cases where cold messaging a referral can pay off.
That said, you don’t want to overstep or come across as overly aggressive. You’ll need to find the right balance between asserting your interest in the role and respecting their time and inbox. With the right strategy, cold messaging a referral on LinkedIn can be an effective way to get your foot in the door.
How to find the job referral contact info
The first step is identifying who the hiring manager, recruiter, or other referral contact is. Here are some tips for finding the right person:
- Ask the person that referred you for the appropriate contact info like a name, LinkedIn profile, and email address.
- Check the job listing for a contact person and look them up on LinkedIn.
- Search the company on LinkedIn and look for recruiters or talent acquisition specialists.
- Use tools like RocketReach or Hunter.io to find employee email addresses.
Take the time to verify you have the right contact info for the appropriate person before reaching out. Having the wrong name or details will make your outreach ineffective.
What to include in your LinkedIn message
With the right contact info, you can craft an effective LinkedIn message. Here are some tips on what to include:
- Personalized greeting: Address them by name to show you took the time to identify who they are.
- Note the referral: Early on, mention who referred you and for what role. This provides important context.
- Express interest: Share your enthusiasm for the role and excitement at the prospect of joining the team.
- Relevant highlights: Briefly summarize 1-2 skills or experiences that make you a great fit.
- Open-ended question: Close with an open-ended question like asking for next steps or advice to move forward.
Keep the message brief but personalized. You want to come across as interested but respectful of their time. Mention the referral upfront and focus on your fit for the role.
Example cold messages to a job referral
To make this more concrete, here are a couple example cold messages to a job referral on LinkedIn:
Example 1
Hi [name],
John Smith suggested I reach out to you regarding the open Marketing Manager role. I was excited to hear from John that my experience aligns well with what you are looking for.
In particular, my 7 years in marketing leadership roles and proven success driving revenue growth through digital campaigns seem like a natural fit. I would be thrilled to join your team and help take marketing efforts to the next level.
I’d welcome the opportunity to discuss the role and my qualifications. Are you available for a quick phone call this week? I’m happy to work around what fits your schedule best.
Looking forward to connecting soon!
[Your name]
Example 2
Good morning [name],
Jane Smith mentioned that I’d be a great fit for the open Project Manager position on your team. As an experienced PM with over 5 years successfully leading cross-functional initiatives, I was excited to discuss the role further.
In particular, my experience driving on-time, on-budget product launches would enable me to seamlessly step into managing key projects. I’m confident I could hit the ground running and would thrive in the collaborative environment Jane described.
Would you have any time in the next few days for a quick call to discuss? I’d welcome the chance to learn more about your goals for this role and share examples of how my background maps well to what you need.
Looking forward to connecting!
[Your name]
When to send the LinkedIn message
Timing your outreach strategically can improve your chances of a response:
- Reach out soon after getting the referral so it’s top of mind.
- Aim for Tuesday-Thursday during business hours.
- Avoid early morning, late nights, weekends and holidays.
- Follow up if you don’t hear back after 1 week.
The key is balancing promptness with sending your message at a time likely to get attention. Steer clear of outreach at odd hours or on weekends/holidays when people are unlikely to be checking messages.
Following up if you get no response
What if you follow the steps above but get no reply to your LinkedIn outreach? First, don’t take it personally. With busy schedules, messages inevitably slip through the cracks.
To maximize your chances of a response, consider sending a follow up message if you don’t hear back after about 1 week. Here are some tips for an effective follow-up:
- Keep it brief – Just 2-3 sentences is fine.
- Reiterate your interest in the role.
- Ask if they received your previous message.
- Offer an alternative like a phone call or meeting.
- Thank them for their time and consideration.
The key is to remain professional and focused on showing your enthusiasm for the opportunity. But also avoid pestering them if they remain non-responsive.
Adding value beyond the job search
Messaging just about the job may get ignored. To stand out, add value beyond just your interest in the role. Some options to provide value include:
- Commenting thoughtful insights on their posts
- Sharing an interesting article or update in your field
- Recommending someone in your network that could help them
- Congratulating them on a work milestone or achievement
Look for small but meaningful ways you can offer value without expectation. This builds goodwill that makes someone more inclined to respond.
Mistakes to avoid when messaging a referral
There are also some common mistakes to avoid when reaching out to a job referral:
- Using a generic template message instead of personalizing
- Focusing too much on yourself rather than the company’s needs
- Providing your whole life story and resume instead of highlights
- Asking if roles are still available rather than expressing interest
- Making it solely about getting an interview or job
- Using informal language like text abbreviations
Personalize your message while keeping it professional. Focus on demonstrating your interest and fit rather than asking about logistics. And avoid coming across as desperate for any job opening.
Key takeaways
Cold messaging a job referral on LinkedIn can be effective if done strategically. Here are some key tips to follow:
- Identify the right hiring manager or recruiter contact
- Personalize your outreach and mention the referral
- Summarize your most relevant qualifications
- Time your message thoughtfully
- Add value beyond just the job opportunity
- Follow up if needed but avoid pestering
With a tailored message sent to the right person, cold outreach to a referral can position you as an interested and qualified candidate. Just be patient and provide value beyond the immediate job search.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it okay to cold message someone who referred you?
Yes, it’s generally fine to cold message a job referral on LinkedIn. Since they already know about you as a candidate, it can be an effective way to express interest. Just make sure your outreach is professional and personalized.
How long should a referral message be?
Aim to keep a referral message to 3-5 sentences or a short paragraph. You want to be brief but with enough detail to remind them of who you are and why you’re a fit. Avoid giant blocks of texts or sending your whole resume unprompted.
What if my referral contact doesn’t respond?
If you don’t hear back within a week, it’s fine to follow up once. But avoid pestering someone who remains non-responsive. At a certain point you may need to explore other application options at the company rather than relying solely on the referral.
Should I mention the job title in a referral message?
Yes, you should mention the specific job title so they understand right away what role you were referred for. This provides helpful context and shows you took the time to understand what position you’re being considered for.
Can I use the same message for different referrals?
It’s better to customize each message rather than copy-pasting the same text. Mention the individual who referred you and highlight different qualifications tailored to each role. Personalized messages have higher success rates.
Conclusion
Cold messaging referred contacts on LinkedIn can unlock hidden opportunities if done correctly. Focus on providing value, showcasing your fit, and respecting their time. With the right strategic approach, you can get your foot in the door at companies more efficiently through job referrals.