Finding work is tough for any job seeker. You can scour job boards for hours, just to find a handful of opportunities worth following up on. Botch your first impression with a recruiter, and it’s hard to rebound — especially with so many other candidates out there looking for work.
Thankfully, finding a recruiter and selling them on your skills doesn’t have to be difficult. There’s an art to marketing yourself as a job candidate. Nail that art, and you’ll have recruiters lining up for your talents — putting you one step closer to landing your dream job.
Wondering how to reach out to a recruiter on LinkedIn? Follow the tips in this article, and you’ll become a regular job-search Picasso.
What Is LinkedIn InMail?
LinkedIn InMail is a feature that lets you direct-message anyone on LinkedIn — even those outside of your network. Normally, you need to be “connected” with someone on LinkedIn to message them. LinkedIn InMail bypasses this requirement, making it an excellent tool to reach out to recruiters.
Here’s the downside: LinkedIn InMail requires LinkedIn Premium, a paid subscription. So while InMail is powerful, it doesn’t come for free. Thankfully, there’s a workaround. Wondering how to reach out to a job poster on LinkedIn? Send a connection (limit: 300 characters) to get their attention.
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How Do I Connect With Recruiters on LinkedIn?
Here’s how to message a recruiter on LinkedIn in five steps:
- Find a recruiter you wish to connect with.
- Click the “Connect” button.
- Choose “Add a note” to personalize your request.
- Explain why you’re reaching out and why you’d like to connect.
- Keep it short. (There’s a 300-character limit.)
Don’t overthink the message. There will be plenty of time to sell the recruiter on your background and skill set. For now, you have one goal: Give them a reason to click “Accept” on your connection request.
How to Reach Out to a Recruiter on LinkedIn
Sending a message to a recruiter can feel daunting — especially when it’s someone you’ve never met. Here are five steps to sharpen your LinkedIn messaging and up your odds of getting a reply:
1. Research the Recruiter
There’s nothing worse than messaging a recruiter, only to realize you got their name or title wrong. Do your research. Review their LinkedIn profile and jot down any interesting facts you can point to as reasons for reaching out. These can be past companies, mutual interests, or shared connections.
2. Craft a Short Outreach Message
First impressions matter. Recruiters read hundreds, if not thousands of LinkedIn messages a week. You need to capture their attention and do it quickly. Ask yourself: What can I say that’ll stand out from the average job hunter? Craft a short but convincing elevator pitch, and make it count.
Example LinkedIn Recruiter Message:
Hi Rachel, I’m a web developer with five years of experience. I came across your profile on LinkedIn and was impressed by your knowledge of Angular. Would love to connect to learn about your journey and get tips to take my HTML knowledge to the next level. Thanks for your time. Best, Sam
3. Send a Longer Follow-Up Message
If the recruiter accepts your invite, follow up with a message detailing your work history and career interests. (If not, send a quick ping after a few business days.) This is your opportunity to market your skill set and show the recruiter why you’re worth investing time and effort.
Example LinkedIn Recruiter Message:
Thanks for connecting, Rachel. I noticed you spent three years as a Lead Recruiter for Microsoft. Is there any advice you’d give to someone looking to get a job in big tech? Here’s a link to my portfolio, if it helps to familiarize yourself with my work history. Thanks in advance! Best, Sam
Top Tip
Knowing how to reach out to a recruiter on LinkedIn is only part of the process. Once you’ve reached out, you need to build a relationship.
4. Build a Relationship With the Recruiter
Once the messages start flowing, build rapport with the recruiter. Schedule an exploratory phone call where you can share your story, solicit their advice, and learn more about their recruiting needs. The more you invest in the relationship, the more likely they are to consider you for open roles.
5. Share Your Resume — Then Stay in Touch
Polish up that resume. Once the recruiter is ready to talk about open roles, share your resume and stay in touch. Remember: This process takes time. Keep the conversation warm with a follow-up every few weeks, but don’t overdo it. Let your recruiter do what they do best — find you a great job.
Sample LinkedIn Messages to a Recruiter
Having trouble crafting the perfect LinkedIn email to a recruiter or hiring manager? Part of understanding how to reach out to a recruiter on LinkedIn is writing the right outreach text. Here are some sample templates to help you hone your messaging:
How to Cold Message a Recruiter on LinkedIn — General Inquiry
Hi [first name],
I came across your LinkedIn profile and was impressed by your long history of recruiting and placing talent.
I’m a [job title] with [X] years of experience. Would love to connect and get your perspective on the hiring market for [your industry].
Thank you for your time.
Best,
[your name]
How to Message a Recruiter on LinkedIn About a Job
Hi [first name],
I came across the [job name] role on [LinkedIn, Indeed, etc.] and wanted to reach out directly.
I’m a [job title] with [X] years of experience. [Short sentence about your accomplishments.]
Would love to learn more about the role and see where my skills could support your needs.
Thank you for your time.
Best,
[your name]
Top Tip
Wondering how to reach out to a hiring manager on LinkedIn? You can use this same template to craft your outreach.
How to Reach Out to Recruiters on LinkedIn After Applying
Hi [first name],
I recently applied to the [job name] role on [LinkedIn, Indeed, etc.] and wanted to reach out to reiterate my enthusiasm for the position.
I’m a [job title] with [X] years of experience. [Short sentence about your accomplishments.]
I look forward to learning more about the role and sharing where my skills can support your needs.
Thank you for your consideration.
Best,
[your name]
Sending a Follow-Up After an Accepted Connection
Hi [first name],
Thanks for connecting. I noticed you [share something interesting about their work history or skill set]. Is there any advice you’d give to someone looking to [explain your career interests]?
Looking forward to talking more. [Optional: Here’s a link to my portfolio, if you’d like to explore my work.]
Thank you,
[your name]
Sending a Follow-Up Message After No Response
Hi [first name],
Just following up on my initial message. Would love to connect if you have the time.
Looking forward to talking more. If you’re busy, I totally understand.
Thank you,
[your name]
How to Reach Out to a Recruiter FAQs
Is It OK to Reach Out to a Recruiter on LinkedIn?
Reaching out to a recruiter is a perfectly reasonable way to get hired. A recruiter’s entire function is to source talent and place them in roles that complement their skills. By reaching out directly, you market your skills while saving them time hunting down great applicants. It’s a win-win.
When Should I Message a Recruiter?
Should I Contact a Recruiter on LinkedIn After Applying?
What Should I Do if a Recruiter Reaches Out on LinkedIn?
How Do I Follow-Up With a Recruiter After an Interview?
Key Takeaways for How to Reach Out to a Recruiter on LinkedIn
Reaching out to recruiters on LinkedIn can be overwhelming, but the payoff is well worth the investment. Do your research, craft your messaging carefully, and build strong relationships with a recruiter, and it’ll accelerate your job hunt and get you closer to finding your next great gig.
Solve Your Job Search
“I was looking to change industries, but too busy and overwhelmed with my day-to-day to embark on the journey on my own… Thanks to [my reverse recruiter], I was able to secure a great role at my dream company within 6 weeks!” – Kelley White
