When reaching out to a recruiter on LinkedIn, the most important thing is to customize your message based on the role you’re interested in. Avoid sending generic inbox spam. Review the recruiter’s profile, connect on shared experiences, and explain why you’re a great fit for the open position.
Research the Company and Role
Before reaching out to a recruiter, learn as much as you can about the company and the specific role you want to be considered for. Read through the job description fully and identify the key skills, experience, and requirements they are looking for. Research the company culture and values. Follow the company and recruiter’s LinkedIn pages to stay updated on their latest content.
This background research will help you understand what the hiring manager priorities are for this role. It will also give you insights into the company mission and work environment, so you can explain why you are drawn to this opportunity.
Review the Recruiter’s Profile
Look over the recruiter’s LinkedIn profile to find things you have in common that you can mention in your outreach. See what college they went to, companies they’ve worked for, causes they support, or groups they are part of. Finding a shared connection, even just the same university, helps create an instant rapport.
Also look at their work history to understand their background. For example, if they have been an Agency Recruiter for 10 years, they will be looking for different things than a Technical Sourcer focused on engineering roles. Cater your message based on their speciality and what they look for in candidates.
Connect with Personalized Message
When reaching out to a recruiter directly through LinkedIn, do not use their generic “Contact Recruiter” form. Instead, send them a customized connection request. The message should demonstrate that you reviewed their profile and are interested in specific roles at their company.
For example: “Hi Jane, I noticed that you have been a recruiter at XYZ Company for several years. I would love to connect with you regarding the Project Manager position you recently posted. I have 5 years experience successfully managing software development teams. I think my technical expertise and leadership skills make me a great fit for this opportunity.”
A message like this introduces you in a professional way, highlights your relevant background, and explains your interest in that company and role. This gives the recruiter context right away to know you are serious about the position and not just blindly spamming every recruiter in your network.
Highlight Relevant Skills and Experience
Now that you have introduced yourself, highlight the 2-3 most relevant skills, accomplishments, credentials, or experiences that make you a strong candidate. Focus on the top priorities the hiring manager is looking for based on the job description.
For example: “In addition to the project management experience mentioned in my request, I also have a Six Sigma Green Belt certification which aligns well with your position’s process improvement goals. In my last role, I managed a team of 15 developers and reduced product defects by 18% over 2 years through Lean practices.”
Being specific with the skills and achievements you highlight allows the recruiter to immediately see your potential value. They can quickly scan and determine if you are worth speaking to further based on the fit between your background and the open role.
Express Interest and Fit
Explain briefly why you are interested in this company and opportunity. Show the recruiter that you have done your research and are excited at the prospect of joining their team. Be clear about why you see yourself as a cultural and position fit.
For example: “I have been following XYZ Company’s rapid growth over the past few years and have been very impressed with your culture of innovation and community outreach. My values of positive leadership and creativity strongly align with your organization. I would be thrilled to have the opportunity to further discuss how my experience can contribute to your team’s continued success.”
Stating your interest and fit upfront improves your chances of getting a response, rather than just sending a generic resume. It shows the recruiter you are serious about their role, not just blindly contacting every opening out there.
Attach Updated Resume
Include your latest resume as an attachment to your LinkedIn message. Make sure your resume is tailored with keywords from the job description and highlights relevant experiences at the top. A strong resume that aligns with the open position will grasp the recruiter’s attention.
Double check that your resume is error-free and easy to scan quickly. Use bulleted accomplishments under each role rather than dense paragraphs. Recruiters typically spend less than 10 seconds reviewing a resume, so make their job easier by highlighting value clearly.
Suggest Next Steps
Wrap up your message by suggesting next steps for the recruiter to potentially move your candidacy forward. This shows you are organized and have strong follow-through skills. It also makes it easy for them to respond by taking you up on your meeting or interview ask.
For example: “I would love the opportunity to further discuss my qualifications and interest either over the phone later this week or at your office. Please let me know if you would like to set up a call or if you need any additional information from me. I look forward to hearing from you soon.”
Giving the recruiter an easy next action closes your message effectively. Rather than waiting for a response, take control and suggest meeting or talking soon to continue the conversation.
Follow Up Politely
If you do not hear back from the recruiter within a week, send a polite follow up message. Keep it brief but reiterate your interest and fit. Check if they received your previous message and resume, and ask if they need any other information from you.
For example: “Hi Jane, I wanted to follow up regarding the Project Manager role and my message last week expressing my interest. I am not sure if you received my information, so please let me know if you would like me to resend or if you need anything additional from my end. I am still very enthusiastic about this opportunity – please let me know if next steps are possible.”
Following up shows persistence and continued interest in the role. Keep the tone positive and do not come across as aggressive or impatient. If they do not respond after 2 follow up attempts though, it may be time to move on.
Connect on Other Platforms
In addition to LinkedIn, see if you can connect with the recruiter on other platforms like Twitter, Facebook, or email. Finding their email usually involves some clever searches or asking around your network. Getting your message on multiple channels improves your chances of being noticed.
When reaching out via other methods, keep the message short and personable. For example: “Hi Jane, I recently sent you a LinkedIn message regarding the Project Manager role but wanted to follow up here as well in hopes we could connect further. Please let me know if you received my information and are willing to discuss. I’m very interested in learning more – thank you!”
Network with Company Employees
Beyond the recruiter, look for other connections at your target company on LinkedIn. Reach out and explain you are interested in roles there and ask if they would be willing to refer you or pass your resume along.
Employees are often highly motivated to refer candidates from their networks. Their recommendation can help fast track you past the initial screening process. Even if they are not in a hiring role themselves, they may know others at the company who can influence the decision.
Join Related LinkedIn Groups
Search for LinkedIn Groups related to your target company, industry, or local area. Join the most relevant ones where employees and recruiters are active members. Engage in group discussions and post interesting content to establish your professional brand.
Many recruiters proactively search Groups for potential candidates with the right backgrounds. Getting yourself in front of them in this forum allows them to learn about you organically before you even directly apply.
Comment on Posts
When recruiters share company updates or post about open positions, comment on their posts right away. This notification draws their attention to your interest and profile. Share some brief words of interest, appreciation, or a relevant story.
For example: “Thank you for sharing this update! As someone with project management and construction industry experience looking to make a change, I really appreciate learning more about your impressive projects. Please feel free to take a look at my profile – I would be very interested in speaking further about potential opportunities.”
Leverage LinkedIn Features
Take advantage of all of LinkedIn’s built-in features to get a recruiter’s attention and keep your candidacy top of mind. Mark their job posts with “Interested”, share their company page updates, and comment on articles they post. Stay active.
You can also signal interest when applying by choosing “Open to new opportunities” under employment status and turning on recruiter notifications. Little signals like this gradually build your profile’s visibility and recruiters’ awareness of your interest.
Avoid Hard Selling Yourself
While you want to share key skills and experiences that make you a fit, avoid coming across as pushy or arrogant. Do not exaggerate your abilities or claim you are the perfect candidate. Stay confident but humble.
For example, rather than “I’m the ideal candidate and your search ends with me!”, say “I believe my background is well-aligned to your open role and I am very interested in learning more.”
Personalize Each Message
Never copy and paste the same generic message to multiple recruiters or for multiple roles. Always personalize your communication based on the specific recruiter’s profile and the unique job description.
Recruiters can quickly spot generic spam. Customizing each message and highlighting the most relevant credentials for that role proves you are selective and thoughtful about finding the right fit.
Be Concise
Keep your LinkedIn messages concise and focused. Two short paragraphs are ideal – introducing yourself, highlighting your most relevant experience, and expressing interest in the role/company.
Avoid huge blocks of text or rambling messages. Recruiters have limited time to review each potential candidate. Help them decide quickly if you are worth further discussion by being clear and direct.
Showcase Other Work
Beyond just your resume, you can include links to online portfolios, GitHub repositories, websites, or professional projects within your message. This showcases additional work samples that set you apart.
For visual roles like design, links to Behance projects or an online photography portfolio allow recruiters to review work quality. GitHub repos demonstrate coding skills for tech candidates. Links should demonstrate abilities, not just replicate a generic resume.
Use Proper Grammar and Formatting
Your messages to recruiters should always use proper spelling, grammar, capitalization and punctuation. Read over each message carefully before sending.
Formatting is also key – use line breaks between paragraphs rather than huge blocks of texts. Make your messages easy and pleasing to read at a quick glance. Sloppy communication will eliminate your chances faster than anything.
Avoid Salary Discussions
Initial recruiter outreach is not the right time to ask about salary, benefits, vacation time, or other compensation topics. Wait for them to bring up this discussion.
Leading with what you want rather than what you offer makes you seem more interested in what the company provides than how you can contribute. Save compensation talks for once mutual interest is established.
Say Thank You
Close your messages by thanking the recruiter for their time and consideration. Express appreciation for them opening your message.
Saying thanks may seem small but recruiters constantly field inquiries and rudeness wears them down. Candidates who start with gratitude leave better impressions and inspire recruiter advocacy.
Follow Up
Do not just message a recruiter once and wait passively. Follow up within 1 week if you have not received a response. Send brief check-ins periodically conveying continued enthusiasm.
Polite persistence and regular communication reminds recruiters you exist. If they remain non-responsive after a few follow ups, move on and refocus your search elsewhere.
Expand Your Network
Beyond recruiters, grow your overall LinkedIn network with professionals in your target field or industry. Develop relationships and build your brand as a thought leader.
This network serves as a powerful talent pool for referrals, advice, job opportunities, and introductions to the right recruiting contacts when needed.
Join Industry Groups
Actively participate in LinkedIn Groups related to your profession. Share advice, post questions, and establish yourself as an expert member of those communities.
Many recruiters search Groups for potential candidates before posting roles publicly. Getting on their radar early improves your chances of being tapped for opportunities.
Complete Profile
Make sure your LinkedIn profile is 100% complete. Include a professional headshot, headline, detailed work history, skills, education, volunteering, certifications, and recommendations.
Recruiters will review your profile before engaging. An empty profile raises concerns. Showcasing your background, abilities and achievements attracts their interest.
Describe Achievements
Under each work experience, emphasize measurable achievements rather than just responsibilities. Quantify accomplishments with metrics like “Increased sales by 30%”.
Describing your impact draws recruiters’ attention to the value you offer. Anyone can list job duties but achievements demonstrate results.
optimize Profile for Keywords
Research keywords commonly used in job descriptions for your target roles. Work those keywords into your profile naturally through skills, past positions, certifications, etc.
This helps your profile appear higher in recruiter searches for those relevant terms. Reflect the language they use to describe ideal candidates.
Customize Your URL
Change your profile URL on LinkedIn to be your full name rather than random numbers and letters.
This customized link is what you will share with recruiters in your outreach messages. A professional URL makes finding and remembering your profile much simpler.
Add Media
Incorporate visual elements into your profile beyond just text. Upload images, videos, PDFs, presentations, or other media that showcase your work and abilities.
Visual content keeps recruiters engaged as they scroll through your profile. It brings your background to life more vividly.
Showcase Volunteer Work
Along with paid roles, include any substantive volunteer work or community initiatives you have led. Describe your impact and accomplishments.
Volunteering shows recruiter well-rounded interests and values. It highlights leadership ability outside of just your day-to-day job.
Following these tips will help you craft personalized and compelling messages to recruiters that grab their attention. Do your research, highlight your fit, and convey genuine interest. With persistence and a strong profile, you can maximize your chances of progressing to the next step.
