When reaching out to a recruiter on LinkedIn, the subject line of your message is one of the most important parts. A compelling subject line can grab the recruiter’s attention and motivate them to open your message. Here are some tips for writing effective subject lines when messaging recruiters on LinkedIn:
Be clear and direct
Get right to the point in your subject line. Clearly state what you are reaching out about, such as a specific job opening, company, or field. Subject lines like “Software Engineer Position at Company X” or “Interest in Sales Opportunities” make it obvious what your message is regarding. Avoid vague subject lines that could apply to anything.
Keep it short and scannable
Recruiters are busy and receive many messages. Keep your subject line concise, ideally around 4-8 words. Subject lines with 28+ characters can get cut off in inboxes. Craft a subject line that is quick and easy to read at a glance.
Include important keywords
Incorporate relevant keywords like job titles, companies, skills, and other terms that pertain to what you are reaching out about. This helps recruiters instantly identify messages that are worth their time to open. Subject lines such as “Python Developer – Your Company” use keywords for the role and organization.
Personalize when possible
Generic subject lines are easy to ignore. When appropriate, add some personalization to your subject line. Mention the recruiter’s name, company, or position you are interested in. Subject lines like “John Smith – Android Developer at XYZ Corp” feel more tailored and compelling.
Highlight your background
Briefly summarizing your relevant background in the subject line can capture the recruiter’s attention, especially if you are a strong match for an open position. For example, “MIT Computer Science Grad Interested in Software Roles.”
Use power words and phrases
Incorporate powerful words like “referred”, “urgent”, “follow-up”, or “quick question” to add impact and get noticed. Active verbs like “applying”, “seeking”, or “reaching out” also work well in subject lines.
Ask for a specific action
Subject lines that start with an action word and ask for a simple next step can motivate recruiters to open and respond. Examples are “Scheduling a Phone Call” or “Requesting Referral for Job #123.”
Align with open positions
If reaching out about a specific open job, make sure your subject line matches or incorporates keywords from the job posting title and description to signal it is closely aligned.
Avoid overused phrases
Common subject lines like “LinkedIn introduction” or “Seeking opportunities” blend in easily. Come up with something more unique that feels specific to you and stands out.
Be sincere, not promotional
Resist overly salesy or gimmicky subject lines. Sound authentic and speak to the recruiter directly instead of just pitching yourself.
Proofread for errors
Double check your subject line for any spelling, grammar, or punctuation mistakes before sending your message. Errors can create a bad first impression.
Test different options
Brainstorm a few subject line variations and choose the one that makes the strongest case for opening your message. Ask others for input to improve your subject line.
Follow up strategically
If you do not receive a response after a week or so, consider sending a follow up message with a new subject line tactic like “Following Up” or “Checking In.” But avoid over-messaging without any replies.
Align with message contents
Make sure your subject line accurately reflects the contents of your message. You do not want the subject line to conflict with the message body and confuse the recruiter.
In summary, well-crafted subject lines are critical when messaging recruiters on LinkedIn. Put thought into making your subject line compelling yet concise, personalized and relevant to stand out. This increases the chance of your message getting opened, read, and responded to by the busy recruiter.
Tips for the message body
While the subject line is crucial for getting your LinkedIn message opened, the contents of your message body are equally important for keeping the recruiter’s interest once they are reading your note. Here are some tips for crafting an effective message body when reaching out to recruiters:
Personalize the greeting
Address the recruiter directly by name (e.g. “Hi John”) rather than generic openings like “Hello” or “Dear Sir/Madam.” This immediately makes your message more personal.
Keep it brief
Get to the point fast. Recruiters are busy, so keep your message concise and focused. Ideal length is 2-4 paragraphs or around 150-250 words.
Highlight your qualifications
Briefly explain why you are a great fit for the types of roles the recruiter fills or company you are interested in. Mention 1-2 of your most relevant qualifications, skills, experiences, achievements, etc.
Express enthusiasm
Convey genuine excitement about the recruiter’s company or open positions. This shows motivation beyond just needing a job.
Include a specific ask
Close your message with a clear call-to-action, like requesting a phone call, expressing interest in a certain opening, or asking for referral. Give the recruiter an obvious next step.
Watch your tone
Aim for a warm, polite, and professional tone. Avoid sounding desperate, pushy, or overly formal and robotic.
Check for errors
Proofread your message for any mistakes before sending. Grammatical errors or typos can undermine your message.
Thank the recruiter
Expressing appreciation for their time and consideration, even if brief, is courteous and leaves a good impression.
With a compelling subject line and concise, personalized message body, you can greatly increase your chances of getting a response from LinkedIn recruiters. Take the time to craft well-written, strategic messages that put your background in the best light.