Applying for jobs is tough. It’s hard to stand out when an average of 10,000 LinkedIn members apply for a job every minute. It can feel disheartening when you aren’t hearing back from a company. But you’ve got this. You will hear back. You just need to help yourself stand out more.
One way to do that? Send a LinkedIn message to a recruiter.
You probably already know that. But how do you craft the perfect message? How do you get a recruiter to respond to you on LinkedIn?
Let’s get into it.
How to Message Recruiters on LinkedIn (Without Being Ignored)
The most common mistake job searchers make is sending only one message to a recruiter or hiring manager. They send a message alongside a connection request, and once that connection request is accepted, many people think they’ll still get a response.
According to recruiters we’ve talked to, that’s not likely to happen. Recruiters get flooded with LinkedIn connection requests, especially during the tech recruiting season. They often won’t have time to respond to every connection request message.
This next part is the game changer, and it’s so simple that most people don’t even think about it.
You send another message.
This message is short, sweet, and simple. It’s a personalized message from you to the recruiter or hiring manager. You thank them for accepting your connection request, mention that you applied for [position] at the company, and maybe say one of the things you like most about the company.
This follow-up message will help them remember your name as they review applications. They might even check out your profile—your posts, experience, and achievements. You’ll become more than just another applicant.
It’s a simple tactic for standing out during the application process.
Some things to keep in mind:
- When should you send the follow-up? Ideally, it should be within 24–48 hours after they accept your connection request.
- Before you hit send, make sure your LinkedIn profile reflects your latest experience and achievements. You want recruiters to see your best work when they click your name.
- You can use a template, but you should personalize your message as much as possible.
Don’t Get Ghosted: Mistakes That Make Recruiters Ignore You
Now, we’re not going to bombard the recruiter with messages. That will create the opposite impression you’re looking to make! Just send that one follow-up message. That’s it.
Don’t do any of the following:
- Send your resume again (this is just repetitive, and they have to go through official channels with your application anyway)
- Send them memes (they might find them funny, but it’s not going to get you a job at a corporate organization)
- Send them a long-winded story (they won’t have time to read it)
- Send them one-line messages every few minutes (they’re just going to get annoyed at the notifications)
Your best bet is to send one follow-up. If you don’t hear back from them, that doesn’t mean they didn’t see or appreciate your message. It just means they’re busy.
Message Template to Connect with Recruiters
The team at RTC has put together a LinkedIn recruiter message template that you can use to cold message recruiters:
“Hi NAME,
I hope your day is going well! My name is NAME, I’m a recent grad from SCHOOL, with a background in DEGREE/FIELD. I recently applied to your role JOB TITLE at COMPANY. I really resonate with your company’s MISSION/VALUE/ATTRIBUTE and would love to connect with you!
Cheers,
NAME”
If you’re still not getting the responses, you should try revamping your resume or even changing how you conduct your job search.
At RTC, we have many events and opportunities to help you get your dream job, and a thriving community is waiting to chat with you! If you aren’t already a member, join the 35,000+ women in tech sharing their stories, experiences, and job opportunities in our Slack channel!