Messaging recruiters and HR professionals on LinkedIn to inquire about job opportunities or express interest in their company is a great way to get your foot in the door. However, it’s important to craft your message carefully to create a good first impression. Here are some tips for effectively messaging HR on LinkedIn about jobs:
1. Research the Company and Recruiter
Before reaching out, learn about the company by visiting their website and LinkedIn page. Understand their mission, values, products/services, and culture. This shows the recruiter you have a genuine interest. Also look at the recruiter’s profile. Knowing their role, background and experience allows you to tailor your message.
2. Personalize the Message
A generic “Dear Sir/Madam” will likely be ignored. Greet the recruiter by name and mention how you found them, e.g. through the company page or LinkedIn search. Explain why you want to work for their company specifically, and connect it to your background. This personal touch makes you stand out.
3. Highlight Your Skills and Experience
Briefly outline your background, skills, achievements and qualifications that make you a strong candidate. Focus on details relevant to the kinds of roles you are pursuing at the company. Provide enough info to capture their interest and make them want to view your full profile.
4. Express Enthusiasm and Interest
Convey genuine excitement about the company and the prospect of contributing your talents. Use enthusiastic language like “very interested”, “excited”, “passionate”, etc. This shows you are eager to bring value to the role and not just passively browsing options.
5. Be Clear About Your Purpose
State upfront if you are inquiring about open positions, interested in future opportunities, or just aiming to build a connection. Ask if they are currently hiring for any suitable roles. This clarity of purpose prevents misunderstandings about the intent of your message.
6. Keep it Concise
Get straight to the point in 2-3 short paragraphs. Dense blocks of text are difficult to read. Use bullet points to highlight key details when appropriate. Respect the recruiter’s busy schedule by not making them read a novel.
7. Use a Professional Tone
Avoid over-familiar language like slang, emojis, etc. Adopt a polite, business-like style – friendly but not overly casual. Triple check spelling and grammar. This projects professionalism and attention to detail.
8. Ask for Next Steps
Politely request to set up a phone call, video chat or in-person interview to further discuss job opportunities. Provide your contact details and availability. This gives the recruiter a clear call-to-action.
9. Follow Up
If you don’t receive a response within 1-2 weeks, send a polite follow-up expressing continued interest. Recruiters are busy and messages can get buried. A friendly nudge shows you are still enthusiastic about connecting.
10. Don’t Overdo It
Limit yourself to 1-2 messages over a few weeks. Flooding a recruiter’s inbox comes across as desperate or pushy. If they are interested, they will respond. Continued outreach can annoy them and ruin your chances.
11. Customize for Each Recruiter
Copying and pasting the same message to every recruiter looks lazy. Take time to tailor each note to the specific company, role and person you are contacting. Recruiters talk and will remember blanket messages.
12. Fix Your LinkedIn Profile
Before reaching out, optimize your LinkedIn profile. Add a professional headshot, beef up your summary, highlight key skills, and include descriptions for all your experiences. This gives recruiters more to evaluate if they view your profile.
13. Connect First Before Messaging
Try sending a connection request to the recruiter with a polite note first. This makes you a direct connection rather than just one of their message requests. Being connected allows the recruiter to easily view your full profile.
14. Follow Up After Connecting
Wait a few days after connecting, and then follow up with your main message. Say you recently connected on LinkedIn and are following up about opportunities. This takes advantage of the connection to start a conversation.
15. Put Your Best Foot Forward
Proofread for mistakes, use a professional email address (avoid info@, sales@), and tidy up your LinkedIn presence. The little details influence first impressions. Make them as positive as possible when job hunting.
Sample Message to HR on LinkedIn
Here is an example direct message to an HR manager on LinkedIn inquiring about job opportunities:
Dear Jane,
I hope you are doing well! I came across your LinkedIn profile and saw that you are the HR Director at XYZ Company. I would love to learn more about XYZ Company’s culture and any potential openings for a marketing manager.
I have 5 years of experience in digital marketing and social media strategy. Most recently, I led marketing initiatives for 123Tech that resulted in a 20% increase in website traffic and 15% boost in online leads. I excel at leveraging data insights to drive strategic campaigns.
After researching XYZ Company, I’m very impressed with your rapid growth over the last few years. I would thrive in a high-energy environment where I can apply my skills to elevate brand awareness. Are you currently hiring for any marketing roles? I’m excited by the prospect of contributing to XYZ Company’s continued success.
I’ve attached my resume and would be happy to further discuss any opportunities over the phone. Thank you for your time and I look forward to hearing from you.
Best regards,
[Your name]
Following these best practices when reaching out to recruiters and HR professionals will help you make a powerful first impression. With a compelling message that highlights your fit, you can effectively stand out from the crowd. Just remember to be personalized, positive, professional and patient when messaging about jobs on LinkedIn.
Is it OK to message HR on LinkedIn about jobs?
Yes, it is perfectly acceptable to message HR and recruiters on LinkedIn to inquire about open positions or express interest in opportunities at their company. Many HR professionals actually encourage this as a way to get to know prospective candidates.
Should I send an InMail or connect first?
It’s usually better to connect with the recruiter first and then message them after connecting. Sending an InMail without connecting can come across as overly salesy. Connecting allows them to easily view your full profile too.
How long should a LinkedIn message to HR be?
Aim for just 2-3 concise paragraphs in your initial message. Provide enough detail to capture their interest but avoid giant blocks of text. Follow up messages can be a bit shorter to politely nudge after 1-2 weeks.
What if HR doesn’t respond to my LinkedIn message?
If you don’t receive a response after a week or two, it’s OK to send one brief, professional follow-up expressing continued interest. However, don’t harass them with constant messages if they don’t reply. Take the hint and move on.
Can I message multiple people at the same company?
It’s best to focus on just 1-2 key HR contacts per company. Messaging every employee looks desperate and pushy. Find the recruiter(s) most relevant to your function and interests.
Conclusion
Messaging HR professionals on LinkedIn to inquire about jobs or express interest in their company is an effective way to get your foot in the door and stand out from other applicants. With the right strategy, you can craft compelling messages that will impress recruiters and hiring managers. Just remember to personalize each note, highlight your fit, adopt a professional tone, and follow up politely if needed.
With a carefully targeted and well-written introductory message, you will be on your way to getting noticed by your dream company and landing the perfect job. So optimize that LinkedIn profile and start connecting with the right people today!