Being contacted by a recruiter on LinkedIn can be an exciting opportunity, but it can also be nerve-wracking to know how to respond. You want to make a good impression and keep the conversation going, but you also don’t want to commit to something you’re not interested in. Here are some tips on how to handle those recruiter messages in your LinkedIn inbox.
Should you respond to recruiters on LinkedIn?
In most cases, it’s a good idea to respond to a recruiter who reaches out to you on LinkedIn. Ignoring the message may burn a bridge and close off opportunities. Even if you’re happy in your current job, you never know when things may change, and that recruiter may have a perfect opening for you down the road.
LinkedIn is designed for networking and making new professional contacts. Part of that is engaging with recruiters when they show an interest in you. However, that doesn’t mean you need to respond immediately to every message. Take some time to review the job and company they are representing before crafting your response.
How quickly should you respond?
Try to respond to a recruiter’s initial message within 1-3 days. Leaving them hanging for too long may signal disinterest on your part and cause them to move on. However, it’s perfectly acceptable not to respond right away, especially if your schedule is busy.
The recruiter likely messages multiple potential candidates for each opening. A day or two delay in your response shouldn’t negatively impact your chances as long as you ultimately follow up. If you need more time because you’re waiting to hear back on another role, let the recruiter know.
What should you include in your response?
Your initial response to a recruiter should be brief but enthusiastic. Thank them for reaching out and express interest in learning more about the role. Provide some background on your experience and qualifications. You can either attach your latest resume or offer to send it along shortly.
A few sentences are sufficient to get the conversation started. Avoid asking too many questions upfront before you have details on the job. Let the recruiter respond and guide where the discussion goes next.
Here are some examples of what to include in your initial response:
- Thank you for reaching out! I’m very interested to learn more about this opportunity.
- I appreciate you thinking of me for this opening. My background in [relevant skills/experience] seems like a potential great match.
- Thanks for contacting me. I’d be happy to send over my latest resume and discuss the role in more detail.
What should you avoid saying initially?
When responding to a recruiter, you’ll want to avoid certain statements that could hurt your chances or delay the process. Don’t:
- Immediately ask about salary, benefits, or compensation
- Bring up scheduling conflicts or time limitations
- Press them to disclose company names or confidential info
- Mention other roles you’re interviewing for
- Ask vague questions or avoid providing specifics
- Say you’re not looking for new opportunities (even if true)
The initial contact is all about expressing interest and seeing if there’s a potential fit. Jumping ahead to logistics could signal that you’re not actually open to the role. Keep the tone positive and let the recruiter guide next steps.
What are recruiter red flags to watch out for?
While most recruiters are well-meaning professionals, there can be some problematic behaviors to watch out for. Red flags include:
- Vague or misleading job descriptions
- Requiring upfront payments for “training”
- Asking for sensitive personal information
- High-pressure sales tactics
- Unprofessional communication
Trust your instincts if a recruiter interaction feels suspicious or inappropriate. Check their profile and company information. You can always flag the message to LinkedIn if needed. Don’t provide personal details until you’ve verified the role is legitimate.
How can you keep the conversation going?
Once a recruiter responds back to your initial message, the conversation has started. Keep it going by:
- Asking thoughtful follow-up questions about the position
- Providing more detail on your most relevant skills and achievements
- Mentioning your interest in the company/role after learning more
- Inquiring about the interview and hiring timeline
- Sending your resume if you haven’t already
- Expressing continued enthusiasm even if waiting on next steps
Aim to keep the dialogue focused on learning about the opportunity and determining if it’s a potential fit. Share why you’re excited by aspects of the role based on what they’ve conveyed.
How can you politely decline a role?
If a recruiter reaches out about a role that isn’t the right match, you may need to politely decline moving forward. Avoid simply ignoring their messages, as that may damage your professional reputation. Instead, send a gracious message such as:
- Thank you so much for thinking of me for this opportunity with [Company]. While I’m incredibly flattered, upon further reflection I don’t think I would be the best fit for this particular role at this time. I greatly appreciate you reaching out nonetheless, and please don’t hesitate to keep me in mind for other opportunities that may be a better alignment down the road.
- I sincerely appreciate you taking the time to discuss the [Role] position with [Company]. After learning more details, I’ve determined the responsibilities would not fully leverage my skills and experience. I certainly want us both to make the most of our time, so I think it’s best if we don’t move forward with the application process. Thank you again for thinking of me, and I hope we can stay in touch.
Be honest but diplomatic when declining an opportunity. This preserves your professional relationship with this recruiter, as you never know when another job with them may be exactly what you’re looking for.
Should you add the recruiter on LinkedIn?
It’s often a good idea to connect with a recruiter on LinkedIn after they reach out, even if you decline the role. Adding them strengthens your network and keeps you top of mind for future openings. However, don’t feel obligated to connect with every random recruiter who messages you.
Look at factors like:
- Do they work for a company you’re interested in?
- Are they recruiting for roles relevant to your field?
- Do they share valuable content and network updates?
Evaluate the individual recruiter and whether connecting makes strategic sense. Be selective about who you add just to maintain a manageable network size.
Should you tell your current employer about recruiter messages?
In most cases, it’s wise not to mention recruiter outreach to your current employer – at least in the initial conversations. This avoids creating any tension or awkwardness before you’ve determined if a position is even viable.
Once a job opportunity advances to a formal interview stage, or you plan to leave your company, you may choose to give notice to your manager. But informal LinkedIn messages are best kept private while you assess options.
How can you leverage recruiter connections during a job search?
If you are actively job hunting, recruiters can provide invaluable help connecting you with potential employers. Ways to leverage your LinkedIn recruiter network include:
- Sharing your job search status – Let quality recruiters know you are looking.
- Outlining your dream job criteria – Be specific on roles, skills, companies, etc.
- Asking about unlisted opportunities – They may know of openings not publicly posted.
- Requesting referrals or introductions – See if they can get your resume directly to hiring managers.
- Following up on relevant postings – Check if they need additional candidates for jobs that fit your profile.
Recruiters can provide insider knowledge, expand your network, and give customized assistance. Make the most of these connections during your job transition.
What is the best way to contact recruiters when job searching?
| Contact Method | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| LinkedIn message | Direct contact; Starts a conversation thread | Easy to ignore; Character limits |
| More content room; Can attach documents | No notification if unread; Impersonal | |
| LinkedIn connection request | Grows your network; Opens messaging | Delay if request needs approving |
| Phone call | Personal touch; Fastest response | Hard to coordinate timing; Can catch them off guard |
Weigh the options based on your specific needs and the recruiter’s preferences. Utilize multiple touchpoints for best results.
How often should you follow up with a recruiter?
Avoid pestering recruiters with constant follow-up messages, but do periodically check in if you haven’t heard back. An appropriate cadence is:
- 1 week after your initial outreach
- 2 weeks after applying/interviewing
- Monthly if the process goes quiet for an extended time
Send friendly reminders of your interest and inquire if they need any additional information. If a recruiter remains non-responsive after 3 follow-ups, it may be time to move on.
Can you negotiate with a recruiter?
Recruiters are great contacts for advice on negotiating job offers. They have insight into typical pay scales and benefits. However, they usually aren’t the main decision-makers when it comes to negotiating your specific terms and compensation.
The hiring manager holds more influence on items like salary and start date. Recruiters can advocate and make recommendations based on your desired package. But manage expectations on their level of negotiating authority.
Should you work with multiple recruiters?
It’s perfectly acceptable to partner with several recruiters while job seeking. Each will likely have different employer networks and resources:
- Corporate recruiters – Hiring for specific companies
- Agency recruiters – Work with varied clients to fill openings
- Niche recruiters – Specialize in certain industries or fields
- Executive recruiters – Focus on senior leadership roles
Cast a wide net by connecting with recruiters of diverse types. Be transparent that you’re exploring multiple options, not just working with them exclusively.
How can you build an ongoing recruiter network?
Developing relationships with recruiters provides both short and long-term benefits. Ways to cultivate an effective recruiter network include:
- Regular check-ins – Periodically reach out even when not job hunting
- Thank you notes – Show appreciation for their assistance
- Profile updates – Keep your experience and skills current
- Sharing achievements – Communicate promotions, awards, etc.
- Content likes and shares – Engage with their posts and updates
- Industry trend monitoring – Discuss developments in your field
By maintaining close, mutually beneficial relationships, recruiters are more likely to think of you for opportunities.
Key Takeaways
Being contacted by recruiters on LinkedIn can lead to exciting job possibilities, but requires tact and discretion in your responses. Keep these best practices in mind:
- Respond politely within 1-3 days, even if not actively seeking a new role
- Share your interest level and relevant background, but avoid asking about compensation or committing to anything
- Keep the conversation focused on learning details about the position
- Decline gracefully if it’s not the right fit
- Connect selectively based on the potential for a mutually beneficial relationship
- Leverage your network during a job search, but don’t inundate with constant follow-ups
- Work with a diverse range of recruiters to access different employer pools
- Maintain ongoing contact and share achievements to stay top of mind
With the right approach, the LinkedIn messages filling up your inbox can lead to your next big career opportunity.