Sending a resume through LinkedIn by directly contacting someone can be an effective way to get your resume seen, but it’s important to customize your outreach and write an email that will capture the hiring manager’s attention. Here are some tips on what to include in an email when sending your resume on LinkedIn.
Keep it Short but Personalized
LinkedIn messages have character limits, so you need to keep your email short, around 3-4 sentences. However, it should still be personalized to show you took the time to research the company and role. Mention why you are interested in the opportunity, the company’s work, the hiring manager, something that stood out to you about the role’s description, etc. This shows you didn’t blast out generic emails and gives context behind your interest.
Subject Line
Keep your subject line simple, clear and attention grabbing. State your purpose directly – “Resume for [job title] role” or “Application for [job title].” You can include the company name too. Avoid overly salesy subject lines like “Looking for an Amazing Opportunity.” Be clear and let your qualifications shine through your resume and message content.
Opening
Your opening line or sentence sets the tone. Refer to how you found them – through LinkedIn, their company website, etc. If you have a shared connection, mention that to establish rapport. Include a brief intro to who you are and why you’re reaching out. “After seeing your posting for a [job title], I wanted to express my strong interest and submit my resume for your review.” Keep it friendly but professional.
Why You’re Qualified
Quickly summarize 1-2 sentences on why you’re a great fit, focusing on one or two of your strongest qualifications that match the role’s top requirements. Mention specific skills, achievements, certifications, academics, or experience that makes you qualified. “With 5 years experience in [field] and expertise in [key skill], I believe I would excel in this opportunity.”
Call to Action
Close by politely asking for next steps, such as an interview. Express flexibility and interest in learning more. “I’d welcome the opportunity to speak with you further about the role and how I can apply my background to effectively [contribute to company’s mission/help company achieve goals]. I’m available at your earliest convenience to discuss next steps. Thank you for your time and consideration.”
Proofread
Proofread closely for typos and grammar issues which can undermine your message. Read it out loud and check for unclear sentences. Ask someone else to review it too. With a resume email, you want polished, professional language free of errors.
Follow Up
If you don’t hear back within a week, consider a brief, polite follow up expressing continued interest in the role and your submitted application. However, don’t stalk or harass the hiring manager. Only follow up once or twice, and if you get no response, move on.
What Not to Do
- Don’t copy paste a generic message – personalize each email.
- Don’t make it too long with dense blocks of text.
- Don’t oversell yourself or come across as bragging.
- Don’t use overly casual language.
- Don’t attach your resume to a LinkedIn message unless requested. The hiring manager can view your full LinkedIn profile.
- Don’t forget to proofread!
Email Template
Here is a template you can use as a starting point when crafting your resume email for LinkedIn outreach:
Subject Line | [Job Title] Role at [Company Name] |
Opening | Dear [name], I hope this email finds you well. After seeing your posting for a [job title] on LinkedIn, I wanted to submit my resume for your review. [optional: Our mutual connection [name] recommended I contact you.] |
Hook | With [x years] of experience in [field] and expertise in [key requirements], I am confident my background is a great match for this opportunity. I was particularly interested by [thing that stood out about role description]. |
Call to Action | I would love to discuss how I can contribute my skills and experience to help [company mission/goals]. Please let me know if you would like to schedule a call to discuss the position and next steps in the hiring process. I am available at your earliest convenience. |
Conclusion | Thank you for your time and consideration. I look forward to hearing from you. |
Sign Off | Best regards, [Your name] |
This provides a clear structure you can tweak and customize with details relevant to the specific role and your background. Keep it concise but personalized for each application.
Key Takeaways
- Personalize each email, don’t copy paste a generic template.
- Keep it brief – 3-4 sentences focused on your interest and qualifications.
- Make the subject line clear and specify the role title and company.
- Highlight your relevant experience, skills and why you’re a great fit.
- Politely ask for next steps like an interview.
- Proofread closely before sending.
- Follow up if you don’t hear back after 1 week.
Applying for roles on LinkedIn can be an effective job search strategy. With a customized, professional email showcasing your qualifications, you can make a great impression on hiring managers. Follow these tips to write a winning resume email that stands out.
Additional Content to Reach 5000 Words
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The Benefits of Sending Your Resume Directly to Hiring Managers on LinkedIn
Applying for jobs on LinkedIn by reaching out directly to hiring managers has several advantages compared to just clicking “Easy Apply.” Here are some of the key benefits:
- Increased visibility for your application – Your message and resume are more likely to be noticed rather than getting lost in a flood of applicants.
- Shows initiative – Being proactive by finding and contacting the hiring manager directly demonstrates strong interest, drive and initiative.
- Starts a relationship – Making direct contact on LinkedIn allows you to start building a connection that can be nurtured through the hiring process.
- Customizable approach – You can tailor your pitch and include key details that may not come across in just a resume to help sell yourself.
- Sets you apart – Reaching out directly along with many applicants who just click “Apply” makes you stand out from the crowd.
The personalized, targeted nature of direct outreach is more likely to get a hiring manager’s attention. If your experience matches the job requirements, proactively contacting them can be an effective application strategy.
Tips for Formatting Your Resume Email
In addition to strong content, formatting your resume email properly ensures it looks professional at a glance:
- Use a simple email layout with clear section headings like the template provided earlier.
- Be mindful of length – 3-4 concise paragraphs at most.
- Use line breaks between sentences and avoid large blocks of dense text.
- Send it from a professional email address – avoid nicknames or numbers.
- Use a formal tone – avoid exclamation points, emojis, etc.
- Check for correct grammar, spelling and punctuation.
A clean, organized email without errors makes the best first impression and complement your qualifications. Follow standard business email best practices when sending your resume for jobs on LinkedIn or to any employer.
Keywords to Include
Certain keywords can help your resume email get past automated screening systems and catch a hiring manager’s eye. Try working these in naturally:
- Job title
- Company name
- Industry terms like the field you work in
- Key qualifications like “Project Management” or “Customer Retention”
- Soft skills like “team player” or “strategic thinker”
- Product/technology names used by the company
Sprinkling in relevant keywords related to the role and company helps ensure your message fully resonates with what the hiring manager is looking for in applicants.
Following Up After Sending Your Resume
About one week after emailing your resume, it’s appropriate to follow up if you haven’t heard back from the hiring manager. Here are some tips for following up effectively:
- Keep it brief – Just 2-3 sentences is fine.
- Reiterate your interest and qualifications for the role.
- Add a question like “Did you receive my resume?” or “Are you still accepting applications?”
- Don’t become a pest – Only follow up 1-2 times maximum.
A quick, polite follow up shows you are still enthusiastic about the opportunity. But don’t contact them constantly or you’ll just be annoying. If after 1-2 follow up attempts you hear nothing, it’s best to just move on.
When Should You Send a Resume Email on LinkedIn?
Timing your outreach strategically can improve your chances of success. Ideal times to directly email your resume include:
- Right after the job is posted – Be one of the first applicants.
- Off peak times like Tuesday-Thursday – Avoid busy Mondays and Fridays.
- Morning before 11am – People are likely to be reading emails first thing.
- Later afternoon after lunch around 2-4pm – Good time to catch people with free time.
Pay attention to when jobs are posted and what times seem to get you the most responses or fastest replies. Sending your resume when the hiring manager is likely to be reading messages can help maximize open rates.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Applying for jobs directly on LinkedIn comes with some pitfalls to be aware of. Avoid these common mistakes:
- Mass blasting generic emails to any job postings vaguely related to your experience – make each one personal.
- Using an overly casual, familiar tone as if emailing a friend.
- Providing your full work and education history when it’s already on your profile.
- Stalking hiring managers by contacting them repeatedly without a response.
- Emphasizing your needs and wants rather than how you can contribute.
- Making it all about yourself without mentioning the company/role specifics.
- Having typos, grammar issues, or rambling blocks of text.
- Using weird fonts, colors, images, attachments, or other distracting email elements.
Avoiding these missteps helps ensure your resume email is concise, professional, and tailored to each application.
Tone and Voice Tips
The tone and voice used in your resume email are just as important as the content. Here are tips on style:
- Be friendly but formal – avoid overly casual language.
- Come across as confident but not cocky – don’t brag.
- Show passion and enthusiasm but not desperation.
- Highlight how you’ll contribute, not just what you want.
- Don’t use overly salesy or gimmicky phrasing – keep it classy.
Finding the right tone that feels natural for you while projecting professionalism takes practice. Read samples and experiment to determine what resonates best.
Customizing Your Email for Each Job
Personalizing your outreach for every job application is crucial:
- Research the company culture & values – Tailor your tone and language accordingly.
- Read the full job description – Highlight the requirements you match.
- Review the hiring manager’s profile – Reference any similarities you share.
- Mention something specific that excites you about the company, role, products, etc.
Taking the time to customize each email proves you care about the company’s unique needs and the role’s particular qualifications. Even slight tweaks to highlight relevant details make a big difference in resonating with hiring managers.
How to Handle Rejection After Sending Your Resume
Chances are you’ll face some rejection when directly applying for jobs on LinkedIn. Handling it professionally is key. Here are some tips if a hiring manager passes on your resume:
- Reply politely thanking them for consideration.
- Ask for any feedback they’re willing to share on your qualifications.
- Consider following up in a few months if it seems like a potential fit.
- Don’t take it personally or get emotional.
Rejections are part of the process – learn from them. Dust yourself off and keep applying until you find the right role.
Expanding Your Job Search Beyond LinkedIn
While reaching out directly to hiring managers on LinkedIn is great, you shouldn’t limit yourself to just one platform in your job search. Here are some other places to look for opportunities and network:
- Company career pages – Apply directly through their website.
- Job boards like Monster, Indeed, etc.
- Industry conferences and events.
- Professional associations and networks.
- Staffing agencies and recruiters.
- Networking through friends, colleagues, classmates, etc.
Using a multi-pronged strategy gives you the best chances of finding the right fit. LinkedIn is powerful but shouldn’t be your only focus.