How to Message Recruiters on LinkedIn
How to message recruiters on LinkedIn so they read and reply: prepare your profile, pick the right person, keep it short, with sample messages.
You find a role you love on LinkedIn and see the company recruiter's name in the post. You want to message them, but you don't know how to start. You worry about seeming pushy or being ignored. In reality, many recruiters welcome messages from candidates, as long as the message is short, clear and makes their job easier. This article collects approaches that work, with sample messages you can adapt immediately.
Before you message, check your own profile
The first thing a recruiter does after reading your message is click on your profile. If it isn't ready, even a great message won't help.
- Headline: state your role and strengths, not just "Looking for opportunities"
- Profile photo: clear, facing the camera, plain background
- About: three to five lines on what you do, what you are good at and what you are looking for
- Experience: concrete results in each role
If you are unsure about your headline, see examples in writing a LinkedIn headline recruiters notice.
Pick the right person
In-house and agency recruiters differ
In-house recruiters (talent acquisition) handle roles at their own company, while agency recruiters work for many companies. If you want a specific role, find the in-house recruiter for that function: search the company, filter by Talent Acquisition or Recruiter, and see which roles they post most often.
If you can't find them
Message the team lead or someone on the team the role would join, and ask a short question about the work rather than asking for a referral.
If the recruiter posted the job themselves
Some recruiters say in the post to apply via a link or by email. Use the channel they name first, then send a short message saying you have applied. Commenting "Interested" under the post rarely helps because it gives them nothing to decide on. If you comment, add your role and main experience briefly.
A message structure that works
- Who you are: your current role and main experience in one sentence
- The role you want: name the position or include the link
- Why you fit: one or two points that match the job description
- A clear, small ask: a short chat, or which channel to apply through
Thai example
Hello Khun Napa, my name is Ton. I have worked in digital marketing for four years, mainly on e-commerce campaigns. I saw the Performance Marketing Specialist opening, which matches my current work managing ad budgets and A/B testing landing pages. I have applied through the website. If there is a chance for a short chat about the team, I would really appreciate it.
English example
"Hi Napa, I am a digital marketer with four years in e-commerce campaigns. I saw the Performance Marketing Specialist opening and it matches my work managing ad budgets and running landing page A/B tests. I have applied through the careers site. Would you be open to a short chat about the team?"
LinkedIn connection request notes have a character limit, so cut it down to the first sentence and the ask, then send the details after they accept.
What not to do
- Send the same message to ten recruiters at one company
- Attach your resume in the first message without saying which role you want
- Ask "What jobs do you have for me?", which hands the thinking to them
- Message late at night and follow up again the same day
Following up without being pushy
If about a week passes with no reply, you can send one short follow up, for example: "Following up on the Performance Marketing Specialist role. If it has already closed, no problem, and I would be interested in similar roles in future." If there is still no answer, let it go and focus on other channels.
How to start
- Update your headline and About to match the field you are applying in
- Pick three to five best-fit roles and find the recruiter for each
- Write a personal message to each using the four part structure
- Note the date you sent it and follow up once when the time comes
Before you send, get your resume ready with Resume Lab so you can share it immediately if a recruiter asks, and find more open roles on the job listings page.