Reaching out to recruiters on LinkedIn can be an effective way to find and land great internship opportunities, but it’s important to craft your messages thoughtfully. Follow these tips to connect with recruiters professionally and make a strong first impression.
Do Your Research
Before reaching out to a recruiter, learn more about the company and role you’re interested in. Visit the company’s website and LinkedIn page, and look up the job description if there is one. Get a sense of the company’s mission, values, and culture so you can express interest thoughtfully. This research will help you tailor your message and show the recruiter that you have genuine interest.
Look Up the Recruiter’s Profile
Don’t message recruiters blindly. Look up their profile on LinkedIn first to personalize your note. See what department they work in, where else they’ve worked, and what they specialize in. Reference shared connections, associations, or past experiences if you have any in common. This personal touch can grab their attention.
Craft a Customized Message
A generic message blasted out to dozens of recruiters is easy to ignore. Instead, write a unique note for each person that shows you did your homework on them and the company. Share why you’re interested in this specific internship opportunity, how your skills and experience match what they’re likely looking for, and express enthusiasm for learning more.
Structure Your Message
Follow these best practices when structuring your recruiter outreach message:
- Use a clear subject line like “Seeking Summer 2023 Marketing Internship”
- Start with a polite greeting addressing them by name
- Introduce yourself, your school/major, and year
- Note how you found them and why you’re reaching out
- Explain your interest in the company and desired internship role
- Highlight 1-2 relevant skills or experiences you have
- Close by requesting a phone call or meeting to further discuss opportunities
- Thank them for their consideration and provide your contact info
Keep it Concise
Your message should be short and to the point. Recruiters are busy, so keep it under 5-6 sentences or 3-4 brief paragraphs. You can elaborate more during a phone call or interview. Resist overselling yourself or geting too personal.
Pro Tip: Mention Referrals
If you were referred to the recruiter by an employee, shared connection, or networking contact, mention this upfront. Namedropping mutual connections can help get your foot in the door and make the recruiter more receptive.
When to Reach Out
Timing your outreach strategically can improve your odds of getting a response:
- Apply first – If there’s an open internship listing, formally submit your application materials before messaging the recruiter.
- Midweek – Aim to message recruiters on Tuesday-Thursday. Mondays and Fridays tend to be busy.
- Non-holiday weeks – Avoid major holidays or office vacation periods when recruiters are likely to be out.
- Business hours – Message during regular business hours, not at 5am or midnight.
Following Up
If you don’t hear back after 1-2 weeks, consider a brief follow up. Reiterate your interest, refer to your original message, and provide your contact info again. But don’t pester a recruiter who never responds – move on and focus your efforts elsewhere.
Sample Message Templates
Use these message templates as inspiration, but customize them for each specific recruiter and opportunity:
Subject line: Seeking Summer 2023 Marketing Internship at [Company Name]
Message:
Dear [Recruiter Name],
My name is [Your Name], and I am a sophomore at [College Name] majoring in marketing. [Mutual connection] suggested I get in touch about internship opportunities at [Company Name].
I am very interested in an internship with your marketing department this summer. I have followed [Company Name] closely for several years and have been very impressed with your social media presence and creative campaigns. As an aspiring digital marketer, I would be thrilled to contribute to projects at [Company Name] while gaining valuable real-world experience.
My coursework and involvement with the marketing club on campus have provided me with skills in areas like social media strategy, content creation, SEO, and analytics. I believe my enthusiasm for marketing along with these relevant skills would allow me to add value as an intern this summer.
I would welcome the opportunity to schedule a phone call to discuss any summer 2023 marketing internship openings. Please let me know if you have availability in your calendar. I can be reached at [phone number] or [email].
Thank you for your time, and I look forward to speaking with you!
Best,
[Your Name]
Subject line: Joe Smith Referral – [Your Name] Seeking Fall Internship
Message:
Dear [Recruiter Name],
Joe Smith suggested I reach out to you about internship opportunities this fall at [Company Name]. I am currently pursuing my bachelor’s in computer science at [College] and am particularly interested in a software engineering internship role.
I have been following [Company Name] and am impressed with your development of [relevant product/app]. As an aspiring software engineer, I would be thrilled to gain hands-on experience with your team. My coursework, side projects, and past internships have equipped me with skills in Java, Python, JavaScript, SQL, and Agile methodologies.
Please let me know if you will have availability in your fall internship program. I can be flexible with timing. My resume is attached, and I can also be reached at [phone] or [email]. I look forward to learning more!
Thank you,
[Your Name]
What to Include in Your Resume
When reaching out about internships, plan to attach or link to your resume in your message. Include relevant information on your resume to showcase your skills, abilities, and fit for the role such as:
- Education – school, major/minor, expected graduation date, GPA if above 3.0
- Relevant coursework – technical skills learned or specific classes
- Past internships or work experience
- Leadership positions or campus involvement
- Volunteer work or community engagement
- Skills – computer skills, language skills, certifications
- Awards and honors – academic, extracurricular, athletics
- Projects – class projects that demonstrate abilities
Formatting Tips
- Keep to one page if possible
- Use consistent formatting and clear section headings
- List information in reverse chronological order
- Use bullet points rather than long sentences
- Emphasize the most relevant details for the internship field
- Ensure no grammar or spelling errors
Following Up After Outreach
Give the recruiter 1-2 weeks to respond to your initial message. If you still haven’t heard back, consider a brief, polite follow up:
- Thank them for their time and refer to your original message
- Reiterate your interest in the company and internship opportunity
- Provide your contact information again
- Offer to provide any additional information needed
If you follow up and still get no response, it’s best to move on and focus your search elsewhere. Continuing to message a non-responsive recruiter rarely helps.
Things to Avoid When Messaging Recruiters
Some common mistakes to steer clear of when messaging recruiters include:
- Using an overly casual tone
- Making it sound like a generic blast message
- Attaching a poorly formatted resume
- Not mentioning the specific internship role or company
- Asking about salary/benefits prematurely
- Forgetting to include your contact information
- Having spelling/grammar mistakes
- Sending multiple follow up messages
- Getting pushy if they don’t respond
Alternative Outreach Methods
While LinkedIn messages can be effective, here are some other options for reaching out to recruiters if you’re striking out:
- Email – Find their work email address online or via LinkedIn
- Company Website – Look for internship contact forms
- Career Fairs – Introduce yourself at campus job fairs
- Networking Events – Connect at conferences, meetups, company events
- Referrals – See if any professors/alumni can introduce you
Expanding Your Network
If the recruiters you message aren’t responsive, take time to expand your professional network. The more connections you make, the more referrals and insider tips you can get.
- Follow interesting companies and professionals on LinkedIn
- Join industry groups and associations as a student
- Attend virtual networking events and webinars
- Reach out to alumni at companies of interest
- Connect with fellow students getting internships
- Build relationships with professors, advisors, past bosses
Maximizing Your LinkedIn Profile
A complete, professional LinkedIn profile lets recruiters quickly learn about you. Polish up your profile to make a great impression:
- Add a headshot photo of yourself
- Craft a summary highlighting your skills, goals, and value
- Include all current and past work/education with details
- Join relevant groups and follow companies to stand out
- Get recommendations from professors, bosses, colleagues
- Link to projects, publications, and other samples
- Use keywords recruiters search for
Applying for Internships Broadly
Rather than pin all your hopes on one or two dream companies, apply broadly to increase your odds. Leverage job boards, career centers, and LinkedIn to find openings:
- Look for postings on your school’s job/internship portal
- Search aggregators like Indeed, Glassdoor, and Handshake
- Identify target companies and check their careers page
- Follow company and recruiter profiles on LinkedIn for postings
- Set job alerts to be notified of new listings
Cast a wide net, and be open to smaller companies as well as big brand names. Getting your foot in the door somewhere is what matters most.
Being Persistent and Patient
The internship search takes time. Stay persistent through any disappointments or rejections:
- Follow up with companies every 2-4 weeks if you haven’t heard back
- If you get a “no”, politely ask for feedback on your qualifications
- Learn from each application to improve for next time
- Gain more skills and experiences that make you stand out
- Leverage your network and school resources for introductions
With hard work and a positive attitude, you’ll eventually connect with the right opportunities.
Standing Out as an Applicant
Make yourself shine as a candidate for coveted internships with these tips:
- Highlight specific skills gained from coursework and activities
- Speak passionately about the company and role in interviews
- Ask thoughtful questions that show your engagement
- Convey enthusiasm, positivity, and eagerness to learn
- Research the team you’d work with and latest projects
- Send thank you notes after interacting with staff
Showing genuine interest, preparation, and initiative can help your application make it to the top of the pile.
Getting Support From Your School
Many colleges provide resources to help you land an internship:
- Career counseling to review your resume and application materials
- Internship and job listings through a careers portal
- Alumni mentorship programs to connect you with professionals
- Events like career fairs, company info sessions, mock interviews
- Grants or scholarships to help fund unpaid internships
Leverage all the support available to polish your search and outreach strategy. The career center wants to see you succeed!
Being Open-Minded
Look beyond your dream job, industry, or company when considering internships. Valuable experience can be gained in all types of organizations if you approach it with an open mind.
| Ideal Internship | Back-up Option | Unexpected Gems |
|---|---|---|
| Marketing at Nike | Marketing at a regional athletic apparel brand | Communications for a nonprofit |
| Engineering at SpaceX | Engineering at a aerospace start-up | Data analysis at a tech firm |
| Finance at Goldman Sachs | Finance at a commercial bank | Operations at a microfinance institution |
Consider all opportunities that help build your skills. Something unorthodox could end up being your dream role.
Conclusion
With preparation, persistence, and a professional approach, you can effectively reach out to recruiters about internships on LinkedIn. Do your research, craft customized messages, highlight your fit and enthusiasm, and leverage your network. Follow up politely if needed, but don’t be pushy. With the right strategy, you can connect with the internship opportunities that will propel your career forward.
