Sending a message to HR on LinkedIn when applying for a job can be an effective way to get your resume noticed and start a conversation about potential job opportunities. As with any communication, it’s important to be professional, concise, and compelling when reaching out to recruiters and hiring managers on LinkedIn.
In your message, you’ll want to briefly introduce yourself, express your interest in the company and role, highlight your relevant skills and experience, and suggest next steps for further discussion. Avoid simply restating what’s already on your resume – use the message as an opportunity to make a personal connection and stand out from other applicants.
Here are some tips for crafting an effective HR message on LinkedIn when job searching:
Personalize the Message
Always customize your message based on the specific company and role rather than sending a generic template message. Mention why you’re interested in the organization and position, and why you’d be a great fit. Demonstrate that you understand their needs and have done your research on the company.
For example:
“As a social media marketing manager with 5 years of experience driving digital campaigns and content strategy, I was excited to see your opening for a Director of Social Media. I’ve been impressed with Acme Co.’s innovative use of interactive content to engage customers. I would love to bring my background in leveraging social platforms to grow brand awareness and community engagement to Acme Co.”
Highlight Relevant Skills and Achievements
Succinctly explain how your background matches up with the requirements outlined in the job description. Mention one or two specific skills or results that would enable you to excel in the role. Provide enough detail to show the value you could contribute to the employer.
For example:
“In my current position at XYZ Company, I oversaw a major website redesign that led to a 20% increase in site traffic and 30% growth in newsletter subscriptions within the first 6 months. My experience managing large-scale content and digital initiatives would allow me to make an immediate impact if selected for Acme Co.’s open Director of Digital Marketing role.”
Express Enthusiasm
Convey genuine excitement about the prospect of contributing to the company. Use enthusiastic language that indicates motivation for taking on the challenges and opportunities of the position. However, avoid going overboard with effusive praise about how perfect and amazing the company is.
For example:
“I was so pleased to find your opening for a HR Business Partner, as I have long admired YourCompany’s commitment to investing in employees and creating a thriving workplace culture. I would be thrilled to have the chance to shape HR initiatives and enable managers to get the best from their teams in this role.”
Suggest Next Steps
Politely request follow-up and propose potential next actions to move forward in the process. You might offer to provide more details on your background, schedule a phone call to discuss fit, or meet in person if geographically close.
For example:
“I would welcome the opportunity to speak with you by phone or meet in person to discuss how my skills in relationship-building and creative problem-solving would be a great match for this opportunity. Please let me know if you would be interested in connecting further about the HR Manager role.”
Thank the Recruiter
Express appreciation for their time and consideration. Send a quick thank you note to reinforce your enthusiasm and interest.
For example:
“Thank you very much for your time and consideration. I look forward to hearing from you, and please don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any other questions.”
Crafting the Message
When putting together your LinkedIn message to HR, follow these steps:
1. Open with a Warm Greeting
Address the recruiter or hiring manager directly with a simple professional salutation like “Hi [Name],” or “Dear [Name].” Avoid overly casual language like “Hey there!” or formal titles like “To whom it may concern.”
For example:
“Hi Jane,”
“Dear Ms. Smith,”
2. Introduce Yourself
Briefly explain who you are and your purpose for connecting. Provide context around your background that’s relevant to the role. Share a sentence or two summarizing your skills, experience level, and/or education.
For example:
“I’m a senior product marketing manager with over 8 years of experience driving go-to-market strategy and positioning for SaaS companies.”
3. Express Interest in the Role
Articulate specifically why you are interested in this company and position. Demonstrate that you have researched the organization and understand the role’s responsibilities. Share what excites you about the opportunity.
For example:
“When I saw Acme Co.’s opening for a Director of Product Marketing, I knew it would be a great fit based on my track record of building product messaging and value propositions within the software industry.”
4. Highlight Your Relevant Qualifications
Connect your background and accomplishments to the position requirements. Focus on 1-2 of your strongest qualifications and provide concrete examples. Emphasize skills, achievements, or experiences that would enable you to contribute to the role.
For example:
“In my work at XYZ Company, I built product positioning from the ground up and led market research efforts that were instrumental in increasing product adoption by 15% year-over-year. My combination of technical product knowledge and creative copywriting would enable me to craft compelling messaging for Acme’s solutions.”
5. Respectfully Request Next Steps
Close by asking for consideration and suggesting potential follow-up conversations. Be clear and direct in setting the expectation for further discussion. Let them know you look forward to hearing back.
For example:
“I would love the chance to discuss this further with you. Would you have time for a quick phone call this week or early next week? I’m very interested in learning more about the Payroll Administrator opportunity and how I could contribute to your team’s success.”
6. Say Thanks
Wrap up with an expression of thanks and appreciation for their time reviewing your background. Leave on a gracious and positive note.
For example:
“Thank you very much for your consideration. I look forward to hearing from you!”
Examples of Effective LinkedIn Messages to HR
Here are some examples of strong LinkedIn messages to send when applying for jobs:
Entry-Level Position
Hi Amanda,
I hope you are doing well! As a recent graduate of State University with a BS in Computer Science, I was excited to find your opening for a Software Engineer. I have long been impressed by Acme Company’s innovative technology solutions, and I would be thrilled to join your development team.
During my studies, I completed several software engineering internships where I assisted with coding front-end interfaces in AngularJS and optimizing back-end infrastructure performance. I am confident that my foundation in web development and passion for creating seamless customer experiences would make me a valuable addition to your engineering team.
Please let me know if you would be interested in connecting further about the Software Engineer role. I would be happy to provide you with my resume and LinkedIn profile, and can make myself available for a phone or in-person interview. Thank you for your consideration, and I look forward to hearing from you!
Best,
John
Mid-Career Position
Dear hiring manager,
My name is Sarah Matthews, and I am very interested in the Operations Manager position that recently opened up. I have over 7 years of experience in supply chain and logistics optimization in the retail industry. Most recently, I spearheaded process improvement initiatives that increased warehouse efficiency by 30% at my company.
After reviewing the job description, I am confident that my background and expertise would make me a competitive candidate for this opportunity. I would excel at identifying and implementing strategies to improve operational workflows, reduce costs, and enhance cross-functional collaboration. My analytical, communicative, and project management abilities enable me to dissect complex systems, rally stakeholders, and drive end-to-end change.
I would love to schedule a conversation to discuss how I could hit the ground running in this role. Please let me know if you would be interested in connecting further. I can make myself available at your convenience. Thank you for your consideration, and I look forward to speaking soon!
Best regards,
Sarah Matthews
Senior-Level Position
Hello Julia,
I was excited to see your opening for a VP of Sales and Business Development. I am an accomplished sales leader with over 15 years of experience developing high-performance sales organizations for SaaS companies. Most recently, I built out the sales division for SuperSoft, ramping revenue from $5M to $25M in just 3 years.
After reviewing the job description, I believe I would be a great fit for this VP role at Acme based on my track record of:
– Recruiting, developing, and leading distributed sales teams to meet aggressive growth targets
– Designing sales compensation plans that keep top talent motivated and engaged
– Enhancing CRM systems and processes to create sales efficiency and predictable pipelines
– Forging executive-level partner relationships to support new market entry
I would love to arrange a call to discuss this role as well as my qualifications. Please let me know if you have availability in your schedule next week. I look forward to speaking with you soon.
Regards,
John Smith
Key Takeaways for an Effective LinkedIn Message to HR
Here are some key tips to remember when reaching out to recruiters and hiring managers on LinkedIn about job opportunities:
- Personalize each message based on the company and role.
- Highlight your most relevant hard and soft skills for the position.
- Express genuine interest and enthusiasm for the opportunity.
- Succinctly explain how your background aligns with the job requirements.
- Politely ask for next steps, like an interview or phone call.
- Use a warm, professional tone – avoid sounding desperate or overly casual.
- Thank the recruiter for their consideration.
- Follow up if you don’t hear back within 1-2 weeks.
With a tailored message showcasing your fit for the job, you’ll get your foot in the door and stand out from the crowd of applicants. Demonstrating thoughtfulness, preparation, and initiative can go a long way in landing an interview. Just be sure to avoid sounding robotic or sending the same generic note to every employer.
Put yourself in the hiring manager’s shoes. What details would convince you to advance this person to the next round? Highlight your unique experiences, skills, and motivations that make you eager to take on this new challenge. With a genuine, personalized note, you can start a fruitful conversation that leads to your dream job.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should you not say in a LinkedIn message to a recruiter?
Avoid these common mistakes in LinkedIn messages to recruiters:
- Oversharing personal details or life stories unrelated to the job
- Making demands or having unrealistic expectations
- Appearing desperate or overly pushy
- Blatantly exaggerating or lying about your skills or experience
- Using overly casual, unprofessional language
- Asking about salary or benefits prematurely
- Stating generic platitudes about the company without personalizing
- Focusing too much on yourself rather than the value you can add
The message should focus on your fit for the specific role, not elaborate background irrelevant to the position. Keep it short, professional, and centered on the employer’s needs.
How do you get the attention of a recruiter on LinkedIn?
To get noticed by recruiters on LinkedIn:
- Complete your profile – have a professional photo, headline, summary section, and detailed work descriptions.
- List relevant skills keywords that match current job openings.
- Join industry and alumni groups recruiters may be in.
- Engage with recruiter’s posts by liking, commenting, and sharing.
- Follow companies you’re interested in and build connections to their employees.
- Send personalized InMail messages expressing interest in opportunities.
- Turn on recruiter alerts to be notified when they view your profile.
The more detailed and optimized your profile, the more easily recruiters can identify you as a strong candidate. Proactively engaging them through updates, messages, and notifications will help get you on their radar.
What is the best time to message recruiters on LinkedIn?
According to LinkedIn’s data, the best times to message recruiters are:
- Tuesdays at 6:00 am – 8:30 am
- Tuesdays at 5:00 pm – 6:00 pm
- Wednesdays at 5:00 pm – 6:00 pm
- Thursdays at 5:00 pm – 6:00 pm
In general, aim to reach out earlier in the workweek (Mon-Weds) or later in the workday (after 5pm). Recruiters tend to be less active on LinkedIn on Mondays, Fridays, and weekends. Scheduling messages for their slower periods can help yours stand out more in their inbox.
Example LinkedIn Message to HR Template
Here is an example template you can use as a starting point when crafting your own messages to recruiters on LinkedIn:
Hello [Recruiter Name],
I hope this message finds you well! My name is [Your Name], and I am very interested in applying for the [Job Title] position that your company recently posted.
After reviewing the job description, I’m confident my skills and experience make me a strong candidate for this opportunity. [1-2 sentences summarizing your relevant qualifications and achievements.] Some highlights that I believe would contribute to success in this role include:
– [Relevant skill/achievement #1]
– [Relevant skill/achievement #2]
I would love to arrange a quick phone call or meeting to discuss how my background aligns with your needs for this position. Please let me know if you have availability in your schedule in the coming weeks.
Thank you very much for your consideration. I greatly look forward to hearing from you to further explore this excellent career opportunity.
Best regards,
[Your Name]
Conclusion
Reaching out directly to recruiters and hiring managers on LinkedIn can be an effective way to get your foot in the door for job opportunities. With a warm, polite, and personalized note that succinctly sells your skills and fit for the role, you can stand out from the applicant crowd.
Do your research on the company’s needs, craft tailored messaging, and suggest next steps for further discussion. With the right message, you can start meaningful conversations that lead to interviews and ultimately a job offer. Just be sure to avoid sounding desperate or overly aggressive in your outreach.
With a thoughtful and strategic LinkedIn messaging approach, you can connect with the right people and unlock exciting new career paths. Good luck crafting your standout messages!