Reaching out to a hiring manager on LinkedIn can be an effective way to get your resume seen and express interest in job opportunities. However, it’s important to craft your messaging carefully to create a good impression. Here are some tips on what to say when messaging a hiring manager on LinkedIn:
Keep it Brief but Personalized
You want your message to be short enough that the hiring manager will read it, but personalized enough to show you did your research on the company and role. Aim for 2-3 sentences introducing yourself, mentioning the position you’re interested in, and saying you’d love to discuss it further. Refer to specifics about why you’re excited about the company and position to personalize it.
Highlight Your Qualifications
Briefly state 1-2 of your top qualifications or achievements that make you a great fit for the open position. This shows the hiring manager you have the skills and experience they are looking for. Just be sure not to ramble on about your whole background – you can elaborate more if you get an interview.
Express Enthusiasm
Hiring managers want to get a sense of your personality and interest level. Let your enthusiasm for the role and joining the company come through in your message. Phrases like “I’m very interested in this opportunity” or “I’d be thrilled to join your organization” can go a long way.
Ask for Next Steps
Close your message by requesting next steps, such as an interview or phone call to further discuss the role and your background. This gives the hiring manager a clear call to action. For example, say “I’d welcome the opportunity to speak with you further about the position and how I can contribute to your team’s success.”
Crafting the Perfect LinkedIn Message
Follow these additional tips when putting together your messaging outreach to hiring managers:
Use a Professional Tone
While you want to express enthusiasm, maintain a polite and professional tone like you would for a cover letter. Avoid being too casual – phrases like “Hey there!” or using emojis typically don’t make the best impression.
Check for Errors
Double check your messaging for any spelling and grammar errors before sending. Read it aloud to catch any awkward phrasing. You want your communication to come across polished and error-free.
Be Clear You Know It’s a Job Message
It may sound obvious, but clearly state this is regarding a job opportunity to avoid confusion. LinkedIn is used for networking and the hiring manager may not realize that’s your intent if you don’t make it clear.
Follow Up
If you don’t hear back after about a week, it’s appropriate to follow up expressing you’re still interested in the role and asking if the hiring manager has any updates on the hiring process. This shows initiative. Just avoid pestering them with constant follow ups.
What to Avoid When Messaging Hiring Managers
There are also some common mistakes to avoid when reaching out to hiring managers:
Don’t Be Too Salesy or Pushy
You want to express interest, but don’t come across as pushy or salesy. Avoid overselling yourself or being too aggressive asking for an interview. Let your qualifications speak for themselves.
Don’t Get Too Personal
Keep the focus on your interest in the professional role. The hiring manager doesn’t need your life story or personal details that don’t relate to the job. Avoid over-sharing or including personal information irrelevant to the position. Save it for an interview.
Don’t Be Desperate
Even if you really want or need the job, don’t let that desperation come across in your messaging. Be confident in highlighting your qualifications without sounding like you will take any job or are applying purely out of want of a paycheck.
Don’t Copy & Paste the Same Message
If you’re reaching out to multiple people, customize each message. Hiring managers can tell when they receive a generic copy & pasted message. Make sure each message is tailored and shows you researched who you are messaging.
Example LinkedIn Message to Hiring Manager
Here is an example of what a LinkedIn message to a hiring manager could look like hitting all the right notes:
Dear Ms. Smith,
I came across the posting for the Social Media Manager role at ABC Company on LinkedIn and am very interested in the opportunity. I have 5 years of experience successfully managing social campaigns and developing social strategies for brands like XYZ Corp. I was particularly excited to see ABC Company prioritizes social media engagement, which I have a proven track record of optimizing.
I would love the chance to discuss the position and my qualifications further with you. Are you available for a quick phone call this week or next? I can be reached at 123-456-7890. I look forward to hearing from you!
Thank you,
Your Name
This message checks all the boxes:
- Brief and personalized introduction expressing interest
- Highlights relevant experience and qualifications
- Conveys enthusiasm for the role and company
- Requests next steps for further discussion
- Polite and professional tone
Following a template like this increases your chances of getting a positive response versus an overly casual or generic outreach.
Following Up After Messaging a Hiring Manager
So you’ve crafted your ideal outreach message to a hiring manager on LinkedIn. Now what? Here are some tips for following up:
Allow Time for a Response
Don’t expect an immediate reply. Give the hiring manager about a week before following up if you haven’t heard back. Assume they are busy and allow them time to respond.
Follow Up Once
A single follow up message is acceptable if you haven’t gotten a response after about a week. But avoid repeatedly messaging them if you still don’t hear back. Move on and continue applying elsewhere.
Keep Following Up Brief
When you do follow up, keep the message short. For example: “Hi Ms. Smith, I just wanted to follow up on the message I sent last week regarding the Social Media Manager role. I’m still very interested in the opportunity and would welcome the chance to discuss it further. Please let me know if you have any updates on the hiring process. Thank you for your time.”
Don’t Badger the Hiring Manager
Under no circumstances should you harass the hiring manager with constant follow ups if they don’t reply. This will only hurt your chances with them. Follow up once or twice maximum then move on.
Don’t Take It Personally
If you ultimately never hear back, try not to take it personally. Hiring managers are busy with high volumes of applicants. Non-response is often simply a reflection of their workload. Just continue to put yourself out there for other roles.
Tips for Messaging Hiring Managers on LinkedIn
Here are some final tips for successfully messaging hiring managers about job opportunities on LinkedIn:
Customize Your Profile URL
Make your profile link easy to remember and share, such as Linkedin.com/yourname. Don’t use the default long number string.
Expand Your Network
Grow your LinkedIn network with more connections, especially at companies you want to work for. This expands who you can message about openings.
Follow Company Pages
Follow company pages you’re interested in to see their job postings. Then you can reach out to the hiring managers for those roles directly.
Use Advanced Search Filters
Leverage LinkedIn’s advanced search to find open jobs and filter by criteria like company, location, job title, etc. Search smarter.
Highlight Relevant Skills & Experiences
Tailor your LinkedIn profile “skills” section and work experiences to highlight qualifications for the types of roles you want.
Conclusion
Messaging hiring managers on LinkedIn to express interest in opportunities can be an effective way to get your foot in the door and stand out from the competition. But it’s important to avoid common mistakes like coming across too pushy, salesy, or generic. Craft your messages carefully highlighting your fit for the role in a polished, professional tone. Follow up respectfully if you don’t hear back right away. With the right strategy, messaging hiring managers on LinkedIn can accelerate your job search and help you land that great new position.