Sending a LinkedIn connection request to someone you don’t know for career or job search purposes requires careful thought and planning. A connection request out of the blue can easily be ignored or even rejected if not handled properly. Here are some tips on how to write an effective LinkedIn connection request message when reaching out for career or job search reasons:
Do Your Research
Before sending a connection request, learn more about the person and their background. Look at their LinkedIn profile and any other available information online. Understand their current role, previous work experience, education, skills, interests etc. This will allow you to personalize your message and show you have done your homework.
Explain Why You Want to Connect
Clearly state upfront why you want to connect with this person. Are you interested in opportunities at their company? Are you hoping to learn more about their industry? Do you share a common background or interest? Giving context early helps the recipient understand your motivations.
Note Any Common Connections
If you have any shared connections, especially at the company you are targeting, mention this in your request. Common connections can help establish trust and give the recipient more context.
Be Clear About Next Steps
Explain politely what you would like to happen after connecting. Would you like to set up a short informational interview? Are you hoping to learn more about job opportunities? Outline your intentions so the person knows what to expect.
Keep it Short
A LinkedIn connection request message should be concise and to the point. Two or three sentences is ideal. You do not need to go into great detail or provide your full background. Save that for after you have connected.
Proofread Carefully
Be sure to thoroughly proofread your message before sending. Check for typos, grammar errors or unclear phrasing. You want to put your best foot forward and leave a good impression.
Follow Up Politely
If you don’t receive a response within a week, consider sending a polite follow-up message. Remind them of your original request, reiterate your interest in connecting, and ask if it would be possible to connect. But don’t overdo the follow-ups.
Accept a Rejection Gracefully
There is always a chance your request may be rejected or ignored. If this happens, move on gracefully. Do not take it personally or try to argue why they should connect. Simply accept their decision and continue your search elsewhere.
Customize For Each Recipient
Avoid copy-pasting the exact same message to every connection request. Take the time to customize and personalize each note based on what you know about that person and their background. Mass messages often get ignored.
Focus on Providing Value
Thinking about how you can provide value to the person you want to connect with is key. Offer to share an interesting article, provide industry insights, or make introductions. Focus on what you can do for them versus just making an ask.
Connect With Shared Groups
Joining common LinkedIn groups that the person is in can be a good way to make a warm connection request. Engage in group discussions to establish yourself first before reaching out.
Highlight Common Ground
Look for shared experiences like college, companies, locale, interests etc. to bond over in your request. People are more likely to connect with others they have something in common with.
Set a Reminder to Follow Up
To avoid outstanding requests getting lost in the shuffle, set a reminder on your calendar to follow up if you haven’t heard back after a certain timeframe. This shows persistence and genuine interest.
Ask Open-Ended Questions
Pose one thoughtful question in your request message to spark the other person’s interest. Open-ended questions encourage a response and further dialogue.
Showcase Your Professional Brand
Use your message as an opportunity to highlight your personal brand, skills, experience and value proposition. But keep it concise and relevant to their interests.
Close With a Call to Action
End your message with a specific call to action and next steps, like requesting a short phone call or meeting. This gives the recipient clarity on what you want to happen after connecting.
Sending a warm, polite and personalized connection request focused on mutual benefits is key to making new career connections on LinkedIn. Do your homework, emphasize shared experiences, explain your intentions clearly, and highlight the value you can provide. With thoughtfulness and care, you can expand your network and unlock new opportunities.
Sample LinkedIn Connection Request Messages
Here are some sample LinkedIn connection request messages for career or job search outreach:
Hi [name], I noticed that you work at [company] as a [position]. I’ve applied for a few roles there recently including [role] and would love to connect and learn more about your experience. I have a background in [your background] and am excited by the work [company] is doing in [space]. Please let me know if you would be open to chatting briefly about the role and your work at the company. Thank you!
Dear [name], We have several mutual connections, including [connection name], who mentioned you might be a great person for me to connect with. I just moved to [city] and am exploring sales roles at [industry] companies like [company name]. Your background as [position] at [company] really impressed me! I’d love to connect and possibly set up a short call to get your insight into the [industry] space. Let me know if you might have time for a quick virtual coffee in the next couple weeks. Looking forward to connecting.
[Name], I hope you’ve been well! It’s been a while since we worked together at [company]. I wanted to reach out because I saw [company] posted a new [role] position that looks very interesting. I know you have been at [company] for a while now and was hoping we could reconnect. I would love to hear your thoughts on the company, role, and team if you have a few minutes to chat. Please let me know if you might have some time in the next week or two for a quick call. Talk soon!
The key is to keep the message brief while communicating your objectives clearly, highlighting common ground, showing you’ve done research and explaining the value of connecting. With a thoughtful approach, you can use LinkedIn to build relationships that advance your career or job search.
Tips for Writing a LinkedIn Connection Request
Here are some additional tips for writing an effective LinkedIn connection request message:
- Address the recipient by name to personalize the message
- Proofread for errors before sending
- Use a warm and friendly but professional tone
- Keep it focused – avoid lengthy notes or life stories
- Follow up if you don’t hear back, but don’t overdo it
- Mention shared connections when applicable
- Explain who you are and why you want to connect
- Highlight common experiences, interests, or backgrounds
- Outline your intentions clearly
- Pose an open-ended question when possible
- Express your value and how you can help them
- Close with a specific call to action or next step
With persistence, personalization and showing you have genuine shared interests, you can use LinkedIn to connect with influential professionals and unlock new career opportunities.
Mistakes to Avoid
Here are some common mistakes to avoid when sending a LinkedIn connection request:
- Sending mass generic messages
- Not explaining who you are
- Making it all about your ask, not shared value
- Using a salesy or promotional tone
- Getting right to the point without building context
- Skipping personalization and research
- Making vague requests without clear intentions
- Pressuring them to connect if they decline
- Making the note too long
- Asking for too much too soon
- Not following up if you don’t hear back
- Focusing only on what they can do for you
Avoiding these common missteps and focusing on value, research, brevity and politeness will help ensure your LinkedIn outreach achieves your career goals.
Summary
Sending a LinkedIn connection request to advance your job search requires thoughtfulness and a focus on mutual benefit. Research the person, explain why you want to connect, highlight shared experiences, clearly outline your intentions, and focus on providing value. With persistence and personalization, a well-crafted request message can help expand your professional network and boost your career opportunities.
The key is to put yourself in the shoes of the recipient and craft a warm, polite note that gives context, shows common ground, and has a clear call-to-action. Avoid generic outreach and focus on quality over quantity when expanding your LinkedIn network. With the right strategy, connecting on LinkedIn can lead to job search success.
By following these tips and best practices for writing effective LinkedIn connection requests for career and job search purposes, you can stand out from the crowd and build relationships with influential professionals in your industry. Take the time to make meaningful connections that will benefit both parties.