Cold messaging someone on LinkedIn to ask for a referral can be nerve-wracking, but it’s an effective way to expand your professional network and uncover new job opportunities. The key is to craft a thoughtful, personalized message that provides value to the recipient while also introducing yourself and making a specific ask. Here are some tips for reaching out cold on LinkedIn for a referral:
Do Your Research
Before reaching out, learn about the person you want to contact and what they do. Look over their LinkedIn profile and any websites associated with them or their company. Understand their background, role, and interests. This will allow you to personalize your message and show you have taken the time to get to know them.
Make a Genuine Connection
Don’t immediately jump into asking for something. Take a few sentences to establish rapport and state why you wanted to reach out specifically to them. Maybe you share a former employer, college, interest, or connection. Find something that creates a foundation for your outreach. This will come across more natural than launching right into a request.
Introduce Yourself
Briefly explain who you are, your background, and what you currently do. Share a few quick highlights that are relevant and position you as someone worth talking to. Avoid simply copying and pasting your profile summary. Choose key details about your experience or skills that relate to their industry or role.
Explain Why You’re Reaching Out
Now that you’ve made a connection and introduced yourself, explain the purpose behind your message. What brought you to them specifically? Are you interested in learning more about their company? Are you looking to transition into their field? Be upfront about your motivation so they understand the context.
Make Your Ask Clear
This is where you get to the referral request. Explain that you are seeking new opportunities in their industry or with similar companies, and ask if they would be willing to connect you with any relevant contacts, make an introduction, or provide a referral. Be explicit in what you are asking them to do – don’t hint around or be vague.
Explain How They Can Help
To increase the chances of getting a positive response, explain exactly how the person can assist you. Do you want to set up an informational interview to learn more about their career path? Are you hoping they can refer you to HR contacts at their company? Let them know the specific action you would like them to take.
Offer Value
Think about what you can offer the person in return. How can you add value? Offer to share an insightful article, introduce them to someone in your network, or exchange best practices. Think mutually beneficial. When you give value, you are much more likely to receive help.
Keep it Concise
Your message should be short and to the point. Aim for no more than 4-5 sentences or a few concise paragraphs. You want to provide enough context but not overwhelm them. Let your message be skimmable while highlighting the key details.
Proofread Carefully
Before hitting send, carefully proofread your note. Check for spelling and grammar errors which can undermine your professionalism. Read your message aloud to catch awkward phrasing. Ask someone else to review it if you want an outside perspective.
Follow Up
If you don’t hear back within a week, follow up. Send a short email reiterating your interest in connecting and asking if they received your original note. If they engage, offer to jump on a quick phone call or virtual coffee to continue the dialogue. Don’t hound endlessly, but one follow-up is fair.
Personalize Each Message
If you are reaching out to multiple people, make sure to personalize each note based on the individual’s background and your specific ask of them. Copying and pasting the exact same message comes across as spammy.
Avoid Hard Sells
While you want to be direct in asking for a referral, avoid sounding overly salesy or pushy. Keep your tone friendly and conversational. You are simply requesting assistance, not demanding it. Let them make the choice to help you or not.
Focus on Quality Contacts
Carefully curate who you reach out to – focus on contacts who are most likely to respond and assist based on their role, background, number of connections, and industries. Prioritize quality over quantity.
Consider Other Channels
If someone doesn’t respond to your LinkedIn outreach, consider reaching out via email or Twitter instead. Different platforms can yield different results when trying to engage someone cold.
Offer Meaningful Thanks
If someone takes the time to respond with a referral or help, always follow up with meaningful thanks. Send a handwritten note or LinkedIn message expressing your genuine appreciation. This maintains your professional relationship.
With the right approach, cold outreach on LinkedIn can put you in touch with new professional contacts and opportunities. Craft targeted, personalized messages that combine rapport building and specific asks. With some finesse, you can get beyond the initial cold connection.
