Creating a LinkedIn recruiter template can be a great way to streamline your recruiting and talent sourcing efforts. With a customized template, you can easily reach out to potential candidates and stand out from other recruiters on LinkedIn. A recruiter template allows you to have a consistent brand and message when connecting with candidates.
In this comprehensive guide, we will walk through the steps for creating an effective LinkedIn recruiter template from start to finish. We will cover:
- The benefits of using a LinkedIn recruiter template
- Tips for writing your template
- How to create and save a template in LinkedIn Recruiter
- Best practices for using your template
Whether you are just getting started with LinkedIn recruiting or looking to improve your existing outreach, this guide will provide actionable tips to help you create a high-converting recruiter template. Let’s get started!
Benefits of Using a LinkedIn Recruiter Template
Using a customized template for your LinkedIn outreach provides several key benefits:
Saves Time
The most obvious advantage of using a template is the amount of time it can save. With a template, you won’t have to rewrite messages from scratch every time you want to reach out to a new candidate. You can use the same template repeatedly and simply swap out the candidate’s name and make minor tweaks. This streamlines your process and allows you to reach out to more candidates in less time.
Creates Consistency
A template also allows you to maintain a consistent brand, voice, and messaging strategy in your outreach. When you manually write each message, it’s easy for slight variations to creep in. But with a template, you’ll reinforce the same professional tone and value proposition every time. This consistency makes candidates more likely to engage and provides a better candidate experience.
Improves Open and Response Rates
The data shows that using templates can boost open rates by 66% and increase response rates by 50% compared to individual outreach messages. Templates look less spammy and allow you to perfect your messaging for the highest engagement. You can continually refine your template over time based on response data.
Saves on Mental Effort
Crafting personalized outreach messages takes a lot of mental effort and energy. With a template, you free up some of that creative capacity. You’ll still want to customize your messages, but you won’t have to reinvent the wheel each time. Saving mental effort keeps you motivated and makes it easier to power through your daily outreach.
Allows Testing and Optimization
A big advantage of templates is the ability to test different messaging variations. You can tweak small parts of your template and track which versions perform best. For example, trying different subject lines or calls to action. Over time, you’ll hone in on what works and be able to optimize your template for the highest conversion rate.
Tips for Writing Your LinkedIn Recruiter Template
Now that we’ve covered the benefits, let’s discuss how to write an effective LinkedIn recruiter template. Follow these tips to create a template that generates more responses:
Keep It Conversational
The best recruiter templates have a conversational, human tone. Avoid sounding too formal or robotic. Use natural language you would use to speak to someone. Adding personal touches like contractions goes a long way. For example, “I’d love to learn more about…”
Focus on the Candidate
Make the candidate the focus of your message, not yourself. Don’t talk about how great your company is, highlight why this role is a fit for the candidate based on their background and interests. Make it about how you can help advance their career.
Highlight Specific Details
Include details and specifics that show you understand the candidate’s experience and background. Mention companies they’ve worked for, skills from their profile, shared connections, etc. Specificity shows you’ve done your research.
Brief and Scannable
On LinkedIn, shorter messages tend to perform better. Get to the point concisely within 2-3 short paragraphs. Use line breaks between sentences and highlight key info in bold. Make your message easy to scan quickly.
Strong Call to Action
Close your message with a clear CTA or “next step” for the candidate to take. For example, request a phone call or time to connect further. Give them direction on what you’d like them to do.
Proper Grammar and Spelling
With any professional communication, grammar and spelling matter. Hiring a copyeditor or using Grammarly can help polish your template and prevent embarrassing mistakes.
A/B Test Different Versions
As mentioned above, take advantage of the template functionality to test different variations. Try different subject lines, intro paragraphs, calls to action, etc. and see which resonates most.
Creating a Recruiter Template in LinkedIn
Now let’s walk through how to actually create a LinkedIn recruiter template using the LinkedIn Recruiter platform. Here are the key steps:
Access the Templates Section
First, log into LinkedIn Recruiter and access the Templates section. This can usually be found under the “Messages” or “Communication Templates” menu.
Click “Create New Template”
Look for the button to create a new template. LinkedIn may prompt you to first name and describe your template.
Draft Your Template Content
This is where you’ll write and format the full template content based on the tips provided above. You can include text, formatting, line breaks, and placeholders.
Add Placeholder Variables
Placeholders allow you to swap in candidate info like:
- {First Name}
- {Last Name}
- {Company}
This merges in details specific to each candidate when you use the template.
Preview and Edit
Preview how your template will look with placeholder variables inserted. Make any edits needed to polish the final version.
Save Your Template
Finally, make sure to save your completed template within LinkedIn Recruiter. You may need to hit a “Publish” or “Submit” button.
Best Practices for Using Your Template
Here are some final best practices to use when sending outreach with your recruiter template:
- Personalize with each candidate’s details
- Tweak the message slightly for each outreach
- Change up the subject lines periodically
- Test sending at different days/times
- Track open and response rates
- Follow up with non-responders
- Refine your template regularly
While templates save time, you’ll get the best results combining them with personalization for each candidate. Add relevant context to show you read their profile. Follow up promptly when candidates respond.
Continuously refine your template over time based on response data. You may even want to develop several tailored templates for different candidate personas.
Sample LinkedIn Recruiter Templates
Below are a couple sample LinkedIn recruiter templates for connecting with software engineering candidates to illustrate proper formatting and messaging best practices:
Template #1
Subject: Open backend engineer role at [Company]
Hi {First Name},
Your experience in backend development at [Company X] caught my eye, especially your work with Java and MongoDB.
Here at [Company], we’re looking for a backend engineer to join our rapidly growing engineering team. Based on your background, I think you could be a great fit.
In this role, you’d work collaboratively with our product team to architect and implement the backend for our mobile apps. Key technologies include Python (Django), PostgreSQL, and AWS.
I’d love to schedule a quick call to discuss the role and your experience. Are you available for 20-30 minutes this week or early next week?
Look forward to speaking!
[Your Name]
[Your Title]
[Your Company]
[Your Phone Number]
[Your Email]
Template #2
Subject: Mobile Engineer Role @ [Company]
Hi {First Name},
I noticed you have experience in native iOS and Android development from your time at [Company X], and I wanted to reach out about a mobile engineer opening with my company, [Company].
At [Company], our mobile engineering team owns the full mobile app lifecycle – from planning new features with product to releasing updates in the App Store and Google Play Store.
Based on your mobile background, I think you could be a great match for the role. Key responsibilities would include:
– Collaborating cross-functionally to define, design, test and launch new mobile product capabilities
– Optimizing performance and responsiveness of native mobile apps
– Implementing pixel-perfect UI/UX across iOS and Android apps
– Identifying and resolving bugs, bottlenecks and issues
I’d love to schedule a quick call to discuss your experience and potential fit for the role in more detail. Are you open to connecting for 20-30 minutes this week or early next week?
Looking forward to your thoughts!
[Your Name]
[Your Title]
[Your Company]
[Your Phone Number]
[Your Email]
Conclusion
Creating an effective LinkedIn recruiter template requires carefully crafting your messaging, leveraging recruiter software, personalizing outreach, and continually optimizing based on data. Using the right template can create recruiting efficiency, bolster your employer brand, and ultimately help you hire great candidates faster.
Start by following the tips outlined here – focus on candidate value, highlight specifics, use concise formatting, and include a strong call to action. Craft your template directly in tools like LinkedIn Recruiter. Test different versions to see what works. Add relevant personalization with each outreach.
With the right process, your customized LinkedIn recruiter template can become a source of competitive advantage in attracting top talent. So implement these best practices to get started creating templates that convert.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the key elements of a good LinkedIn recruiter template?
The key elements of a strong LinkedIn recruiter template include:
- Conversational, friendly tone
- Focus on candidate’s interests and background
- Specific details and personalization
- Brief, scannable formatting
- Strong call to action for next steps
Following recruiting best practices for your messaging while leveraging LinkedIn’s template functionality.
How much should I personalize my LinkedIn outreach?
It’s best to balance using a template with some degree of personalization. Include the candidate’s first name, company names, skills, etc. to show you customized the message. But templates still save time over writing completely unique messages.
What details should I include from a candidate’s profile?
Details like current and past job titles/companies, skills, education, volunteering, shared connections, groups, etc. These specifics show you understood their background and tailored the message.
How many variations should I test for my template?
Test at least 2-3 subject line variations and 1-2 variations of your template messaging. Try different calls to action or value propositions. Testing a few variations helps determine what resonates most.
Should I use the same template for different candidate personas?
It’s best to have different versions tailored for sales, engineering, design, executive, etc. candidates. The messaging that appeals to them will vary based on their roles and interests.
What is a good template length on LinkedIn?
2-4 paragraphs or around 100-300 words is ideal. You want enough detail to personalize but not a novel. Make your template scannable with spacing and highlight key info.
Table of Contents
| Introduction |
| Benefits of Using a LinkedIn Recruiter Template |
| Tips for Writing Your LinkedIn Recruiter Template |
| Creating a Recruiter Template in LinkedIn |
| Best Practices for Using Your Template |
| Sample LinkedIn Recruiter Templates |
| Conclusion |
| Frequently Asked Questions |
