Messaging recruiters on LinkedIn can be an effective way to get your resume in front of hiring managers and land job interviews. However, it’s important to approach recruiters thoughtfully and professionally to make a good impression.
Find the Right Recruiters to Message
Not all recruiters on LinkedIn are open to being messaged by candidates. Here are some tips for finding the right ones:
- Search for recruiters at companies you want to work for. Recruiters specializing in your industry are more likely to respond.
- Look for keywords like “sourcer” or “technical recruiter” in their title to identify active recruiters.
- Focus on recruiters who have shared openings recently or indicated they are hiring in their profile.
Avoid contacting recruiters who do not share any openings or show no signs of active hiring. Mass messaging recruiters who are not a fit will not get positive results.
Personalize Your LinkedIn Recruiter Messages
Generic outreach will likely be ignored. Make sure each message is customized with:
- A personalized greeting with their name.
- Why you are interested in opportunities at their company.
- Your relevant skills, experience, accomplishments for roles they hire for.
Research the company and recruiter before reaching out. Reference specifics that appeal to you about their mission, culture, or openings to show sincere interest.
Highlight Your Fit
Your goal is to demonstrate how your background makes you a strong candidate for opportunities the recruiter is hiring for. A few tips:
- List 2-3 top skills or achievements that match their openings.
- Mention any contacts, experience, or passion for their industry.
- Briefly explain how your experience matches their job criteria.
Proactively show how you are a qualified talent worth their time to consider. Avoid overusing buzzwords and focus on concrete examples.
Keep Your LinkedIn Messages Concise
Long-winded messages can lose a recruiter’s interest. Be succinct by:
- Keeping your message under 5-6 sentences or 3-4 brief paragraphs.
- Editing out unnecessary words or details that stray from your main pitch.
- Sticking to your top selling points instead of overwhelming them.
Get to the point quickly. You can elaborate in future exchanges once you’ve caught their interest.
Include a Call to Action
Guide the recruiter toward concrete next steps with a specific call to action. For example:
- “I’d welcome the opportunity to discuss current openings at Acme Co.”
- “Please let me know if you would like to see my full resume.”
- “I can make myself available for a quick phone call to discuss fit.”
This gives the recruiter a path forward if interested. Just don’t demand immediate action.
Attach a Targeted Resume
Include your latest resume as an attachment to recruiter messages. Make sure to:
- Use a professional formatted resume, not LinkedIn PDF.
- Tailor your resume with relevant keywords for the jobs you want.
- Only list experience related to the roles you are targeting.
This provides in-depth information beyond your profile and demonstrates your communication skills.
Follow Up Politely
Not all recruiters will respond right away, if at all. To follow up:
- Wait at least 1 week before following up.
- Send a simple message re-expressing your interest in opportunities.
- Reattach your resume in case it was missed.
- Know when not to continue pursuing unresponsive recruiters.
Persistence pays off but avoid being a pest. Move on if a recruiter remains unengaged after a few attempts.
Watch Your Tone and Attitude
Maintain a polite, professional tone in your messages by:
- Using formal language, avoiding slang or text speak.
- Keeping messages positive about your capabilities versus desperation.
- Not demanding a recruiter find you a job or hire you.
Come across as someone they would enjoy working with. First impressions matter.
Connect InMail with Open Applications
For broader exposure, combine direct outreach with applying to open positions. Steps:
- Apply for relevant openings prior to messaging recruiters.
- Note your application submission in InMail requests.
- Check LinkedIn Jobs for new openings routinely.
Cast a wide net by messaging recruiters at companies you want to work for whether listings are posted or not.
Message Recruiters From All Sources
Expand beyond LinkedIn to increase your opportunities including:
- Company career sites.
- Job boards like Indeed or ZipRecruiter.
- Industry conferences and networking events.
- Staffing agencies and external recruiters.
Leverage your entire network and job search toolkit to connect with recruiters open to hiring top talent like you!
Messaging recruiters on LinkedIn is one of the most effective ways to get on a hiring manager’s radar for your dream job. But avoid treating it as a spray and pray numbers game. Take time to craft customized messages showcasing your genuine fit and interest. With a strategic approach, you can greatly improve your odds of landing an interview and accelerating your job search through recruiter outreach.