A LinkedIn offer message is an automated message sent by recruiters or hiring managers to potential job candidates through LinkedIn’s messaging platform. It allows employers to directly reach out to prospects to gauge their interest and invite them to apply for open positions. Offer messages provide a way for companies to proactively source talent rather than waiting for applications.
How Offer Messages Work
LinkedIn offer messages are sent through the platform’s messaging system, appearing in the recipient’s inbox like any other message. They come from a company page rather than an individual person. Offer messages have a distinct template and branding so they stand out from regular messages.
The main components of a LinkedIn offer message are:
- Company name, logo, and branding
- Name and job title of the hiring manager or recruiter sending it
- Personalized greeting with the recipient’s name
- Short pitch highlighting why the recipient is a good fit
- Details about the open position
- Next steps for applying or expressing interest
- Links to learn more about the company and role
These messages aim to capture the recipient’s attention with a customized pitch and compel them to take action. The hiring manager can include links to the job description, application page, company website, or their own LinkedIn profile.
Receiving an Offer Message
There are a few ways professionals may receive a LinkedIn offer message:
- Proactive outreach: Companies search LinkedIn for potential recruits based on skills, experience, location and other factors. They send offer messages to qualified candidates even if they haven’t applied.
- Previous applicants: Hiring managers can re-engage past applicants for other roles who weren’t a fit before but may be now.
- Referrals: Employees can refer prospects on their network by forwarding offer messages to them.
- Advertising: Sponsored offer messages appear in the recipient’s feed based on targeted advertising by the company.
In some cases, there is no existing relationship between the sender and recipient. In others, there may have been some previous interaction that put the candidate on the company’s radar. Either way, recipients are hand-picked based on their qualifications and potential fit for the open position.
How to Respond to an Offer Message
If interested in the role, the best way to respond is by clicking the prompt within the message to formally apply. This signifies to the employer that their outreach resonated with you.
You can also directly message the hiring manager or recruiter that contacted you to express your interest, ask questions or schedule a call to discuss further. Replying with just a few words like “Thanks, I’m interested!” can also work if applying through the link.
If the role or timing isn’t a fit, you can politely decline by sending a message thanking them for considering you but saying you will not be applying. This way they receive feedback their outreach wasn’t completely lost.
You can also ignore offer messages from companies or roles you are not interested in pursuing. But take care to not ignore messages from your own professional connections, as that risks damaging the relationship.
Why Companies Use Offer Messages
LinkedIn offer messages offer numerous benefits for companies looking to fill open positions:
- Targeted outreach: Messages go directly and only to qualified, relevant candidates based on sophisticated targeting tools.
- Convenience: Integrated into LinkedIn’s messaging platform for easy use.
- Higher response rates: Direct outreach gets more responses than job board applications.
- Built-in tracking: Companies can see open and click-through rates to optimize their strategy.
- Works at scale: Messages can be sent to hundreds of prospects with a few clicks.
- Proactive recruiting: Allows companies to source candidates rather than waiting on inbound applicants.
In today’s competitive hiring landscape, LinkedIn offer messages are an essential tool for recruiters and employers to connect with in-demand talent. The ability to be proactive and take the first step stands out from waiting for inbound applicants.
Why Professionals Should Use Offer Messages
For professionals and job seekers, taking advantage of LinkedIn offer messages provides several potential benefits:
- Exposure to hidden opportunities: Gain access to openings you won’t find on job boards or the company website.
- Get on a company’s radar: Even if timing isn’t right, you make a positive impression for future roles.
- Stand out from the pack: Direct outreach from employers gives you an advantage over other applicants.
- Convenience: Easy to quickly evaluate and respond to opportunities through the LinkedIn platform.
- Showcase your brand: Responding to customized pitches demonstrates your professionalism and interest.
The personal touch of offer messages and clearly targeted outreach makes for a flattering experience. Professionals who tend to be more passive about their job search can benefit from receiving and responding to these messages.
Tips for Using LinkedIn Offer Messages
For Employers/Recruiters:
- Personalize each message with the candidate’s name and a customized pitch.
- Highlight the key qualifications that make them a great fit.
- Keep messages concise but warm — don’t use a generic template.
- Include links to apply, job description, and your LinkedIn profile.
- Focus on quality over quantity — targeted outreach gets better results.
- Follow up with non-responders after a week to re-engage their interest.
For Candidates:
- Promptly evaluate offers — delaying response times hurts your chance.
- If interested, formally apply through the provided link when possible.
- Be polite but clear in declining messages — don’t just ignore them.
- Ask thoughtful questions to show your interest and move the process along.
- Connect with the hiring manager on LinkedIn to establish a relationship.
- Use offer messages to practice interviewing and negotiating skills.
Common LinkedIn Offer Message Mistakes
While a potentially valuable tool, some common mistakes can limit the effectiveness of LinkedIn offer messages for both senders and recipients:
- Too generic and templated — needs to be personalized.
- Spamming candidates with irrelevant opportunities.
- Neglecting to follow up with non-responders.
- No links or next steps provided to easily apply.
- Ignoring messages or not responding thoughtfully.
- Replying too casually without formal application.
- Asking for too much detail or negotiation prematurely.
Avoiding these missteps and properly nurturing the opportunity after the initial message can lead to better results and response rates for both parties.
LinkedIn Offer Message Best Practices
To get the most out of LinkedIn offer messages, keep these best practices in mind:
- For recruiters: Personalize each message, target candidates carefully, follow up promptly, and provide clear next steps to apply.
- For candidates: Quickly evaluate roles, respond politely even if declining, formally apply when interested, and nurture the relationship.
- For both: Invest time in quality over spray-and-pray quantity, maintain professionalism, and remember the goal is to make a valuable match.
With care and preparation, offer messages enable proactive recruiting and networking to find the right fit for open roles.
Key Takeaways
- LinkedIn offer messages allow companies to directly pitch opportunities to targeted prospects.
- Recipients can respond with interest directly or by formally applying to the role.
- Offer messages enable proactive recruiting instead of waiting on inbound applicants.
- Carefully personalized messages get the best response rates from qualified candidates.
- Following best practices ensures offer messages are effective for both senders and recipients.