The Ultimate Guide to Contacting Recruiters on Linkedin

If you are looking for a job, the first place to start is LinkedIn. Recruiters from all different companies post their jobs on LinkedIn and even if they don’t have an open position, they might be able to recommend or connect you with another recruiter that does. LinkedIn is a crucial platform for job seekers to connect with recruiters. If you want more information about how to contact recruiters on LinkedIn, keep reading!

LinkedIn is a networking site, and over 93% of hiring managers use it. So, it’s no surprise that recruiters are using LinkedIn to find people for their companies. Crafting a compelling message when reaching out to recruiters is essential to make a strong impression.

Preparing to Contact Recruiters

Before reaching out to recruiters on LinkedIn, it’s essential to prepare your profile and research the recruiters you want to contact. Here are some steps to help you prepare:

Optimize your LinkedIn profile: Make sure your profile is complete, up-to-date, and showcases your skills, experience, and achievements. Use relevant keywords in your headline, summary, and work experience sections to increase your visibility in LinkedIn searches. A well-optimized LinkedIn profile can make a significant difference in attracting recruiters.
Research recruiters: Use the LinkedIn search bar to find recruiters in your industry or niche. Look for recruiters who have experience in your field and a track record of placing candidates in jobs similar to the ones you’re interested in. This targeted approach will help you connect with recruiters who are more likely to have relevant job opportunities.
Identify job opportunities: Search for job openings on LinkedIn and identify the recruiters who are posting them. You can also use LinkedIn’s job search feature to find job openings that match your skills and experience. This will give you a clear idea of which recruiters to contact and what positions to inquire about.
Prepare your message: Craft a personalized message that highlights your skills, experience, and achievements. Make sure your message is concise, clear, and free of errors. A well-prepared message can make a strong first impression and increase your chances of getting a response.

By following these steps, you’ll be well-prepared to contact recruiters on LinkedIn and make a positive impression.

What is the difference between a Recruiter and a Hiring manager

The hiring manager is in charge of hiring and managing all the employees. They will usually reach out to recruiters when they need a new employee.

Recruiters find people for jobs by contacting them through phone or email, but also on LinkedIn if you are looking for work!

The best way to find a job is to reach a recruiter because hiring managers are in charge of hiring and managing all the employees. They will usually reach out to recruiters when they need a new employee.

Recruiters find people for jobs by contacting them through phone or email, but also on LinkedIn if you are looking for work!

The best way to find a job is to reach a recruiter because hiring managers won't always have their openings posted online.

Recruiters from all different companies post their jobs on Linkedin and can recommend or connect you with another recruiter that does.
You will be able to find a job faster because recruiters are always looking for quality candidates.
You will be able to stay in touch with recruiters and keep your profile fresh.

How to Find good Recruiters

Here are some tips on how to find the right person on Linkedin:

Use keywords in the search field to find recruiters from companies you are interested in applying for a job with (i.e., “recruiter Linkedin”). You can also use it as a keyword when searching your desired profession and then will come up with some good prospects!
Ask someone who works at the company if they know any good recruiters there - this is usually easier said than done but worth trying because sometimes people don’t want to post their email addresses on Linkedin so this way might be more fruitful.
Search for the company that is hiring. If you don’t know how to use google or other job boards like Indeed and Monster. Once you have found their Linkedin page, locate “Company Page” in the left navigation panel and click it. You should now see more details about that particular company’s LinkedIn profile including recruiters with a seniority level of at least six months who are currently seeking opportunities within your area of expertise. It is crucial to message recruiters professionally to make a positive impression.
Ask your friends or family members who they hired and see if the recruiter was really helpful.
If you cannot ask people in person, use Linkedin to find out which recruiters are linked with good companies by looking at the profile of a company that interests you. When looking for potential recruiters from this perspective, it is important to look into how many connections each has on their profiles as well because more connections mean greater opportunities.
Find someone who has a lot of experience in recruiting also benefits hiring managers and candidates alike so they can offer insight about what kinds of skills employers want and what kind of jobs currently exist. This will allow them to recommend positions available through LinkedIn job posts or other sources like Google searches when you are looking for a job.

There are various LinkedIn message examples available to help job seekers craft effective messages.

How to Approach a Recruiter on LinkedIn

A good recruiter is by default very busy, and they are often bombarded with messages on LinkedIn. To make their life easier, keep your message short and to the point:

Let them know who you are (name)
State what position you’re seeking
Provide a brief description of why this particular job is perfect for you

(if it’s not LinkedIn related) also include an email address so they can send more information about open positions in that area.

Using message examples can help job seekers craft effective communications.

Take Advantage of Linkedin Recruiter Tools!

There are many tools at your disposal when contacting recruiters on LinkedIn like InMail which allows users to send direct messages or Rapportive which provides data from one’s social media profiles within Gmail if given permission. These tools allow you to take the first step in communication with a potential recruiter and get your foot in the door.

Now it’s time to connect with your recruiter.

What Should My Subject Line Be?

Subject lines are very important because they help the recruiter know what kind of message they're receiving.

Linkedin allows you to send messages without being linked but if it's from a stranger, most will ignore your email because people are usually just looking for jobs and won't have time to type out a long conversation so try not to waste their time with lengthy introductions or explanations about why you won't work at that company - instead, keep it short and professional: "Hi I'm [name] from Company XYZ am in search of any open positions available." This is good enough information for them right off the bat!

Here are some more subject line examples:

Hey {{FirstName}} I loved your new blog post
{{FirstName}}, a query from a prospective Marketing Manager
Hey {{FirstName}}, I'm interested in your openings for a Marketing Manager

How Long Should Your Message Be

When sending a Linkedin message to a recruiter, keep it short and concise. Keep your message to the point so that they can read more messages without feeling overwhelmed! Using LinkedIn Inmail, you can use 200 characters in the subject line and 1900 characters for your message body.

If you're linked with them on LinkedIn, then ask if they wouldn't mind giving you some advice or recommendations for jobs available in your area of expertise - this is a great way to start a conversation.

How to make your message Stand out (in a good way)

Keep it courteous! Although writing a novel is unnecessary, try to be thoughtful or flattering when reaching out. Ending a thank you message is also a good idea because it'll show that you're appreciative and professional.

If they follow up after your first message, ask for their number so you can call them - this will make the conversation feel more personal or in-depth than an email which might feel abrupt or impersonal.

You could even offer to buy coffee with them if they have time on some days! This will help the recruiter remember who you are when looking through messages later (especially helpful if there are hundreds of emails!)

Don't forget: When asking recruiters about jobs available at their company, be mindful of any confidentiality agreements that may exist between the two parties before divulging too much information.

Sample Linkedin Messages to Recruiter

Crafting a compelling message is crucial when reaching out to recruiters on LinkedIn, as it can significantly increase your chances of getting a response.

Here are a few examples of how to message a recruiter on LinkedIn:

Examples - How to Reach Out to a Recruiter on LinkedIn

"Hi, I am writing in reference to the job posting for Senior Market Research Analyst. This is a position that matches my skills and experience very well. I would enjoy discussing this opportunity further with you."

"I saw your profile on LinkedIn and find it interesting what kind of work you do so when I saw the job post on LinkedIn for (position) thought about talking to you as it's one of those jobs that really suits me!"

"My name is (name), I'm looking for opportunities where I can use my analytical abilities which match up well with the requirements outlined in your recent Linkedin Jobs Posting: Web Analytics Coordinator at Company XYZ. When we have time could we please chat more? I have a few questions I hope you could answer."

Examples - How to Reach out to a recruiter on Linkedin after Applying for a job

"Hi {{FirstName}},

I applied for the position of Marketing Manager. I really hope to hear from you soon! Thanks in advance."

"Hi {{FirstName}},

Thank you so much for taking the time to review my application and resume. If we have a chance, could I ask if this particular job is still open?"

Examples - How to Respond to a Recruiter on LinkedIn - Positively

"Hi {{FirstName}},

I am very interested in the Marketing Manager position. I can't wait to hear from you soon!

Thanks, (name)"

Examples - How to Respond to a Recruiter on LinkedIn - Negatively

"Hi {{FirstName}},

Thank you for your note about the {{JobRole}} role opening. Even though the company seems great and the position is interesting, I'm happy to be where I'm at this moment. With that said, if I am looking to make a change in the future, I'll make sure to reach out.

Thanks again and good luck with filling the position!

{{YourName}}"

When should you follow up with the recruiter?

It's wise to contact an applicant a day or two after applying. If a week has passed and you haven't heard back from them, it's time to ask the recruiter about your application status.

A polite follow-up email like this is appropriate:

"Hi {{FirstName}}, I just wanted to check in with you about my resume for the Marketing Manager position. It would be great if we could talk on the phone or have an interview."

Stay in touch with the recruiter

Sometimes reaching out to the recruiting team is not going to bring you instant outcomes for yourself but is important to stay in touch with them so they don't forget about you. It is important to send the recruiter an email, a tweet, or a LinkedIn message every few months.

A little reminder that you're out there and looking for opportunities will help you stay top-of-mind with recruiters when they are hiring in your field.

Strategies for Success

To increase your chances of success when contacting recruiters on LinkedIn, follow these strategies:

Personalize your message: Address the recruiter by name and reference specific job openings or companies they’ve worked with. This shows that you’ve taken the time to research them and their work, making your message stand out from the generic ones they often receive.
Keep your message short: Recruiters are busy professionals who receive many messages every day. Keep your message concise and to the point, focusing on your key skills and experience. A short, well-crafted message is more likely to be read and responded to.
Use a compelling subject line: Your subject line should grab the recruiter’s attention and entice them to read your message. Use relevant keywords and keep your subject line short and sweet. A compelling subject line can make a big difference in whether your message gets opened.
Follow up: If you don’t receive a response to your initial message, consider sending a follow-up message to check in and express your continued interest in the job opportunity. A polite follow-up message shows persistence and enthusiasm, which can be appealing to recruiters.
Be professional: Always maintain a professional tone and demeanor in your messages, even if you’re not interested in a particular job opportunity. This will help you build a positive reputation and increase your chances of success in the future. Avoid sending a rude message, as it can harm your professional image.

By following these strategies and preparing your profile and message, you can increase your chances of success when contacting recruiters on LinkedIn. Remember, a well-crafted LinkedIn message can open doors to new job opportunities and help you advance in your career.

Final Thoughts

No matter what your skills are, there is a recruiter on LinkedIn who can help you find the perfect opportunity. If you're thinking about making a career change or want to learn more about an industry for professional development purposes, contact recruiters today and let them know how they can assist you.

Bonus tips to supercharge your job search

How to Attract a Recruiter to Your Profile

You can attract lots of recruiters if you post regularly on Linkedin. Try to post at least once a day so that you'll have something new for recruiters to check out. We advise you to share your knowledge and value with your connections.

Sometimes, it can be a little hard to attract connections and other users to engage with your content!

For that reason, we created Linkboost!

Linkboost is an automation tool that helps you reach a LinkedIn audience 10 times bigger than normal for your content and posts. With automated boosting, you can get a huge burst of engagement on Linkedin in a short space of time.

Now you know how to start getting huge engagement with your posts. To do this, simply:

1. Install the Linkboost chrome extension

2. Join pods according to your niche, or create your pod

3. Start adding your LinkedIn posts to get likes and comments from other users

If you're ready to start getting a huge engagement and bring the hiring manager to write to you personally, then download the Linkboost extension and get your free account. On our free plan, you will be able to boost 3 posts/month, no credit card asked.