Quick Answer
The best message to send to a recruiter on LinkedIn is a personalized message that demonstrates your interest in the company, highlights your relevant skills and experience, and aims to start a conversation. Avoid generic messages and make sure to research the company and role so you can speak to how you would be a great fit. Mention shared connections when possible and keep the message concise yet compelling.
With LinkedIn being one of the top channels for networking and job searching today, it’s important to know how to effectively reach out to recruiters on the platform. Sending the right introductory message can help you stand out from the crowd and increase your chances of getting a response.
When reaching out to a recruiter on LinkedIn, your initial message needs to grab their attention quickly and demonstrate that you’ve done your research. Recruiters are inundated with messages from candidates, so you need to differentiate yourself right off the bat.
In this article, we’ll explore tips and strategies for crafting the ideal outreach message to recruiters on LinkedIn. We’ll cover:
– Researching the company and role
– Personalizing your message
– Highlighting your skills and experience
– Keeping your message concise yet compelling
– Following up appropriately
With the right strategy, you can write messages that help you start meaningful conversations with recruiters, make a great first impression, and potentially land you an interview.
Do Your Research on the Company and Role
The first step to writing an effective LinkedIn message is researching the company you’re applying to and gaining an understanding of the open role. This allows you to craft a message that shows the recruiter you’ve done your homework and are truly interested in their organization.
Before reaching out, take time to:
– Review the company’s website, including the About page, blog, case studies, and current job listings. Get familiar with their products/services, culture, values, and mission.
– Check out the recruiter’s LinkedIn profile and any posts they’ve shared about hiring needs and talent priorities.
– Look at the job description in detail, highlighting key requirements and qualifications.
– Search for company news articles to stay up-to-date on projects, wins, challenges, and future plans.
– Use your network to gain insider knowledge of the role, team, or hiring manager. Ask connections who work/worked there for tips.
– Follow the company on social media to immerse yourself in their brand personality and voice.
Arming yourself with this information will allow you to understand what the company is looking for in their next hire. You can then shape your message to align with their needs, priorities, and goals. Demonstrating this upfront research is a great way to show initiative and set yourself apart.
Personalize the Message to the Recruiter
One of the biggest mistakes people make when messaging recruiters is using a generic template that wasn’t customized. To stand out, your note should be personalized and targeted to the individual recruiter.
Before reaching out, be sure to:
– Note their first name and use it in your greeting.
– Review past positions listed on their profile to reference experience you share.
– See what groups, interests, and skills you have in common.
– Check if you went to the same school or have any other personal connections.
– See if they’ve posted content you can comment on or ask about.
– Note length of time at the company and roles hired for.
– See if you have any shared connections who could make an introduction.
Small personal details like these help make the recruiter feel valued as an individual, not just another inbox to blast. It also demonstrates you took time to understand who they are before asking for their time.
Some examples of personalized greetings include:
– “Hi [Name], I hope you’re having a great week so far!”
– “Hi [Name], I saw on your profile that you [share a school/previous role/skill/connection]. That caught my eye because…”
– “Hello [Name], I noticed you recently shared an article about [relevant topic]. I’d love to discuss more, as this ties into my experience with…”
Starting the message off with this level of personalization helps create an immediate connection with the recruiter.
Highlight Your Relevant Skills and Experience
Once you’ve made a personalized introduction, the next key component is highlighting your skills, experience, and qualifications that make you a strong match for the role. This section should take up the bulk of your message.
To do this effectively:
– Carefully review the job description and note the required and preferred skills listed.
– Think through your work history and select 2-3 roles where you gained relevant experience and sharpened key skills they are looking for.
– Choose accomplishments and measurable results from those roles that align with the position’s goals. Quantify your achievements with numbers when possible.
– Consider skills listed on your LinkedIn profile that overlap with ones required for the job. Call attention to these in your message.
– Weave in industry keywords and buzzwords listed in the job description. Recruiters often search for these.
– Mention any connections you have to the company’s industry or products/services. Outline why this interests you.
– Share what excites you about the company and how you could contribute to their mission.
This presents a snapshot of your background while also connecting the dots on why you’re a strong match. By tailoring this section to each application, you can craft a compelling case for your candidacy beyond just stating your job titles.
Here are some examples of summarizing relevant experience and skills:
– “In my current role as a Marketing Manager at [Company], I oversee a team of four and have led email campaigns that generated over $2 million in revenue last year. My experience driving digital marketing strategies would lend itself well to [Open Position] at [Company] as outlined in the job description.”
– “As a top Sales Representative at [Company], I met or exceeded my quotas by at least 20% each quarter last year while also mentoring new hires. These skills in sales development and training talent seem to closely align with the qualifications you’re seeking for your open [Position].”
– “The job description calls for 5+ years in project management in the pharmaceutical industry. I have managed cross-functional teams on product launches at [Company] for the past 7 years, where I streamlined processes to reduce costs by 15%. I also hold a PMP certification which would support [Open Position’s] requirements.”
Keep this section brief yet detailed. You want to pique their interest without overwhelming the recruiter with too much info upfront.
Keep the Message Concise Yet Compelling
When writing your LinkedIn outreach, you want to balance brevity with making a compelling case for your candidacy. Short messages may fail to grab the recruiter’s attention, while long ones risk not getting read fully.
Aim to keep your initial note to 3-5 paragraphs or around 150-250 words. Anything longer than a page of text risks losing their interest quickly.
Follow these tips to condense your message:
– Cut out overly wordy statements or redundant language.
– Combine details when possible. For example, “In my 3 years as a Business Analyst at Company XYZ” rather than “I worked at Company XYZ for 3 years” and “My role was a Business Analyst”.
– Use concise phrasing like “facilitated”, “oversaw”, “managed” rather than lengthy explanations with filler words.
– Break long sections into separate bullets or sentences.
– Share only the most relevant accomplishments and skills. Save additional details for later discussions.
– Use a friendly yet professional tone. Avoid statements that feel too forced or casual.
– Reading your message aloud can help identify filler you can trim.
You want your message to be easily digestible but also showcase your capabilities. Using clear and compelling language allows you to focus on the key points you want the recruiter to remember.
Close With a Call to Action to Continue the Conversation
End your outreach note by clearly stating your interest in further discussion and next steps. This sets the stage for following up and moving forward in the recruiting process.
Some examples of closing with a call to action:
– “I am very interested in learning more about the [Role] position and discussing how I can contribute to your team’s success. Are you available for a quick phone call this week?”
– “After reviewing the job description, I believe I would be a competitive applicant for [Open Position] given my background. Would you have time in the next few days to talk about the role and company’s priorities for this hire?”
– “I would appreciate the opportunity to speak with you to learn more about the skills and experience you are looking for in your next [Role]. If you are open to conversing, please let me know.”
– “I look forward to hearing your feedback on my qualifications and interest in [Position]. Please let me know if you would like to schedule a call to discuss further.”
Close by expressing interest while also leaving an open door for the recruiter to respond. Avoid simply ending with a blanket statement of thanks. Politely nudge for taking the next step together.
Follow Up at the Right Cadence
If you don’t hear back within a week after your initial outreach, it’s appropriate to follow up. However, avoid pinging the recruiter constantly or risk coming off as pushy.
Here are some best practices for following up:
– Wait 4-7 days before your first follow-up if you haven’t received a response.
– Send no more than 2-3 follow-up messages total over a couple weeks.
– Spread out additional messages 5-7 days apart.
– If you have a shared connection, consider asking them to put in a good word.
– When following up, reiterate your interest and qualifications while adding new details or value. Don’t simply copy the original message.
– Change the mode of communication by suggesting a quick phone or video chat.
– Consider following up in early morning or late afternoon when schedules are less busy.
– Always maintain a polite and professional tone, even if you receive a rejection.
Persistence pays off but balance this with patience. Following up strategically can help advance you as a candidate but remember that timing and fit may just not be right for this role if you never hear back.
Sample LinkedIn Message to Recruiter Template
Putting all these tips together, here is an example template you can model your own messages after:
Subject: [Your Name] – Interest in [Role Title] at [Company]
Hi [Recruiter’s First Name],
I noticed on your profile that you [personalization – shared interest/experience/connection] which caught my eye. I am very interested in learning more about the [Role Title] position at [Company] that you recently posted.
As a [Current Title] at [Your Company], I’ve gained relevant experience in [1-2 key responsibilities that align with open position]. For example, in my work on [Project/Initiative], I [accomplishment like “increased sales by 30%” or “reduced costs by 15%”] by [summarizing how you achieved this].
Additionally, my background includes strengths in [2-3 key skills or qualifications listed in job description] which seem to closely match what you are looking for in an ideal candidate per the job description.
I am excited by the chance to bring my skills in [areas of expertise] as well as passion for [industry/company mission] to this role helping [contribute to the company in ways that excite you]. I would appreciate the opportunity to learn more and discuss how I could contribute to your team’s success.
Are you available for a quick 15-20 minute phone call [within the next week]? I look forward to hearing your feedback and can be reached at [Your Contact Info].
Thank you for your time and consideration. I look forward to connecting further about this opportunity.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
Key Takeaways
When reaching out to recruiters on LinkedIn, focus on:
– Researching the company and role to show your interest
– Personalizing your message with the recruiter’s name and details from their profile
– Concisely summarizing 2-3 of your most relevant skills and experiences
– Quantifying your achievements with numbers or specific examples when possible
– Expressing enthusiasm for the company’s mission and culture
– Closing with a call to action to continue the discussion
– Following up strategically if you haven’t received a response
With a targeted, personalized approach, you can make a great first impression on LinkedIn recruiters and advance your candidacy. The effort you put into crafting your outreach message pays dividends in getting noticed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should you send the exact same message to multiple recruiters at the same company?
No, it’s best to tailor and personalize each message individually for the specific recruiter you are contacting. Sending the same generic message to multiple people comes across as spam.
How soon after applying should you reach out to the recruiter?
Aim to reach out within a week after applying online to capitalize on your application being top of mind. Waiting longer reduces your chances of making an impact.
Is it OK to message the hiring manager instead of a recruiter?
It’s usually better to message the recruiter first unless you have an existing relationship with the hiring manager. Recruiters are better equipped to screen candidates at the initial outreach stage.
Should you follow up with a recruiter who hasn’t responded?
Yes, following up is appropriate if done strategically. Wait at least a week before your first follow up and don’t overdo it. If no response after 2-3 tries, it’s best to move on.
What’s the ideal length for an initial outreach message?
Aim for a message in the range of 150-250 words or 3-5 concise paragraphs. Be detailed but succinct to increase the likelihood it will get read fully.
Conclusion
Making a strong first impression with LinkedIn recruiters requires tailored messaging that grabs their attention quickly. Set yourself apart by demonstrating your interest, fit, and qualifications right in your outreach note. With a personalized and compelling introduction, you can open the door to meaningful conversations that advance your candidacy. Use these tips to craft messages that get you noticed by showcasing what makes you the ideal choice for the role.