How to Respond to Recruiters on LinkedIn

There is no single “right” answer for how to reply to a LinkedIn message, including knowing how to respond to recruiters on LinkedIn. 

The thing is, learning how to answer messages on LinkedIn takes understanding many things about LinkedIn.

It takes knowing what LinkedIn recruiters might want to read beyond the simple “thank you for connecting” message.  

Confused? Not for long!

We explain how you can turn your LinkedIn messages into positive experiences for all involved.

Sample Messages to Recruiters

Here are some sample messages you can use to reply to recruiters on LinkedIn who are messaging you about a job opportunity.

1. You are interested in the job opportunity

Option 1:

Option 2:

2. You are not sure about the job opportunity

Option 1:

Option 2:

3. You like the company but not the position

Option 1:

Option 2:

4. You are not interested in the open position

Option 1:

Option 2:

Tips to Respond to LinkedIn Recruiters

Keep these tips in mind when communicating on LinkedIn with recruiters.

1. Always be polite and professional.

When responding to recruiters, it’s important to be polite and professional.

Even if you’re not interested in the opportunity they’re presenting, it’s important to respond in a way that maintains a positive relationship.

Thank them for reaching out and let them know that you appreciate their interest, but you are not interested in their opportunity at this time.

2. Ask for more information if needed.

As a job seeker, it’s essential to gather as much information as possible about a company and the position you’re applying for.

When a recruiter sends you a job posting or a brief description of the role, don’t hesitate to ask for more details about the company and the position.

Here are some questions you can ask if the information isn’t already provided:

• Can you provide more information about the company’s culture and values?
• What are the day-to-day responsibilities of the role?
• What are the qualifications and skills required for the position?
• What is the salary range for the position?
• What is the hiring process like?

3. Remember the goal behind your message.

Use your desired outcome to outline your messages to a recruiter.

• Do you want an interview?
• Do you want a phone call to chat about an opportunity?
• Are you interested in the opportunity?

Don’t get so carried away with writing the message that you forget the goal of your message.

This will help keep your message clear and concise.

4. Keep it short and sweet and get to the point.

Long messages kill the eyes.

The more you write, the more you create a chance to lose someone’s attention.

Remember, professionals are busy people…and busy people don’t have time to read book-length messages.

5. Make sure your LinkedIn messages are easy to read.

Remember that LinkedIn is used on a mobile app by 57% of its users. You have to consider what your message will look like on the other person’s device and if it will be easy to read.

Using shorter, simpler words in a paragraph format in a short message reduces scrolling both on an app and desktop. 

And if you fear you are dumbing down your own message, read it aloud to yourself before sending it. 

Shorter conversations also require spacing to get your point across and make “breathing room” on the page.

Check out the image below for an example:

By clicking Shift + Enter twice after each sentence, you avoid creating a large block of text in a LinkedIn message.

You can select the Click Send option in your LinkedIn message settings. This way you don’t have to worry about adding Shift or accidentally sending your message before it’s complete if you hit Enter.

6. Drop the LinkedIn “suit and tie” messages.

Even when you are conducting professional interactions on LinkedIn, there are a few things to keep in mind.

• LinkedIn is still social media.
• Be human and friendly.

Instead of using stiff, formal language, try to be more conversational in your messages.

Use a friendly tone and don’t be afraid to inject a bit of personality into your communications.

This will help you build stronger relationships with your connections on the platform.

7. Make sure your message has relevant context.

No one likes to read a boring message with information that is useless to them.

Especially in knowing what to say to a recruiter on LinkedIn, keep in mind that every message you send should relate yourself to the job you are seeking.

For example, you could mention skills you have or certifications you earned.

Check out this sample response to a recruiter:

What makes your message stand out to the reader?

• It is unique and adds value to the person you contacted.
• It shows you have read their LinkedIn profile.
• You know what the person thinks is useful.

For example, the message you see above was sent to a technical recruiter who recruits engineers in Phoenix.

You might be interested to know that the message led to a job interview because this person clearly understood how to respond to LinkedIn recruiters.

8. Never ask the person you message to do any work for you.

This is very important, whether you are determining what to say to a recruiter on LinkedIn, or you are connecting with someone for some other professional purpose. 

Don’t expect them to serve you or do you any favors!

​​​​​9. Never offer too much information.

Remember to keep your LinkedIn messages focused and to the point.

• We all have busy schedules, so respect the other person’s time.
• Stay on topic with LinkedIn messages.

See a sample message of TMI and asking people to work for you in LinkedIn messages below.

This is definitely not how to reply to a recruiter or potential job connection:

What’s wrong with the above LinkedIn message?

First, I asked the person to find me an online link.

The person I messaged does not work for me. They are doing me a favor by even communicating with me.

Next, I offered too much information and came across as though I am apologetic for my experience.

This type of message raises questions and makes further communication awkward.

Finally, this LinkedIn message is more work than the person bargained for.

In essence, my message was all about taking with no giving.

10. Message as if the entire world is having an amazing day.

Some of the most effective messages on LinkedIn always have phrases such as:

• I hope you are doing great…
• Pleased to e-meet you…
• You have an amazing [insert something interesting about his/her profile].

It shows that you are positive, friendly, and take an interest in the other person’s profile.

Even when you are figuring out what to say to recruiters on LinkedIn, you can be sure that everyone will respond well to politeness and cheer.

Key Takeaways

LinkedIn messaging advice comes in many forms.

Your approach will differ whether you are reconnecting with a former colleague, replying to a recruiter, or reaching out to a potential job connection for the first time. 

In every case, it is still a social media tool used to connect with people for the purposes of business networking.

It is important to be just as social as you are professional in order to properly answer messages on LinkedIn.

If you need more help with LinkedIn networking and knowing how to respond to recruiters on LinkedIn, we can help!

You can work with our Reverse Recruiters. In addition to finding and applying to jobs for you, your dedicated Reverse Recruiter will guide you through LinkedIn messages and networking to secure interviews.