How to Message Someone on LinkedIn About a Job
When you’re in your early career, it can feel like there’s no way to get a good job unless you know someone. Since you’re just starting out, your network may be small and your connections limited. But that doesn’t mean you have to rely on submitting applications and waiting endlessly to hear back.
If there is a position you want or a company you’d like to work for, you can take a more active approach to finding a job by reaching out to the right people on LinkedIn. We’ll explain how to use LinkedIn to connect with other users about job opportunities and share three templates you can use to craft a message that will help you get noticed.
When to message someone on LinkedIn about a job
The big question is, is it okay to message someone you don’t know on LinkedIn? The answer depends on who you ask.
Some users may be open to receiving messages from people they don’t know personally. After all, LinkedIn was built to facilitate networking, and the basis of networking is making connections with new people. Other users may find it annoying and not respond to random messages. That’s perfectly fine, just as ignoring an unsolicited email that pops into your inbox is okay.
As long as you’re not sending dozens of spam messages, you have nothing to lose by contacting someone on LinkedIn about a job opportunity. However, there’s a better chance you’ll see success from your efforts if…
They’re a recruiter
Recruiters are the most likely users to be receptive to random LinkedIn messages because building a network of qualified candidates is central to their job. Reach out to recruiters who specialize in the industry you want to be in or in-house recruiters at companies you want to work for. These hiring professionals can provide details about specific job opportunities that are a good fit for you.
They’re a hiring manager
A hiring manager is a company employee responsible for making hiring decisions on behalf of their team or department. For example, a sales director may be the hiring manager for all of a company’s sales positions. If someone is a department head, there’s a good chance they’re also a hiring manager. You can search for these people explicitly by job title on LinkedIn (more on how to do this in a moment).
They’re part of a team you want to be on
Even if a person does not participate directly in hiring, messaging them can benefit you if they’re a member of a team on which you’d like to work. If you’re looking for a marketing job, someone with a marketing title at a company you want to join may be able to tell you if there are any open positions in their department. They may also be able to give you pointers on what their company looks for in job applicants or make an introduction to their boss, who is responsible for hiring.
They have a position similar to the one you want
You may have good luck reaching out to people who currently hold job titles that are the same or closely related to the ones you’re applying for. People love to be asked for their advice, so contacting someone on the premise of requesting their guidance can yield helpful results.
You share a mutual acquaintance or school
Your chances for success increase greatly if you can name-drop a friend or colleague you have in common or if you share something else, like graduating from the same alma mater. This builds credibility and shows you have a legitimate reason for reaching out to this person.
Steps to message someone on LinkedIn about a job
1. Search by company
The easiest way to find the right people to message on LinkedIn is to search by company. If you haven’t already, it’s a good idea to list employers you’re interested in, as this will give you a starting point for your search.
In LinkedIn’s search bar, type in the company name. The search results should lead you to that company’s LinkedIn page, which you’ll want to click on. Within the page’s header, click on the tab that says ‘People.’
Within this tab, you’ll see the LinkedIn employees who work for this company. Bingo. Advance to step two.
2. Refine based on job title/school/mutual connections
From here, you can filter company employees based on their job titles, keywords, educational institutions, and mutual connections. This is how you’ll decide who to message.
Look for individuals who:
- Have the job title or keyword ‘recruiter’ in their profile
- Are a manager, director, or employee in your desired department
- Are in HR
- Went to your alma mater
- You share a connection with
3. Craft your message
Now, it’s time to craft a message that will get the person’s attention. We’ll share templates for specific scenarios below, but in general, your message should contain the following:
- An introduction. State your name and why you’re reaching out. Please explain why you decided to contact them in particular, as this can help your message feel more personal and less spammy. If you share a mutual connection or went to the same college, include that in your opening .
- An overview of your skills. Briefly list your core competencies and experience. If you’re currently employed, say what you’re doing now.
- What you’re looking for. Summarize what it is you want from them, like intel about job openings, a referral to a hiring manager, or more information on working in their department.
4. Send your message
Whether or not you can message a specific LinkedIn user without being connected to them will depend on that person’s LinkedIn preferences. Sometimes, you’ll be able to message a user directly by clicking on the word ‘Message’ beneath their profile picture.
Sometimes, you’ll need to send a connection request first. This is pretty simple, too; you’ll just send your message in the body of the connection request. If this is the case, the content must be limited to 300 characters.
5. Take the next step
Once the person has responded and you have a conversation going, you need to decide on an appropriate next step. That might mean setting up a Zoom call or coffee date to talk further, asking who else you should talk to within the organization, or applying for a job opening they’ve shared. Be respectful of the other person’s time, and be sure to thank them for their help.
LinkedIn messaging templates to ask about a job
Example #1: Recruiter or hiring manager
Hi Bob,
My name is Jackie Smith, and I’m interested in employment opportunities at Ally Financial. I recently graduated from NYU with a degree in accounting. I am skilled in financial controls, reporting, and tax preparation. I am currently looking into junior accountant positions, but am open to other roles you think may be a good fit. I would appreciate hearing about any openings that are currently available or will be in the near future. Many thanks for any direction you can provide.
Sincerely,
Jackie
Example #2: Current employee
Jim,
My name is Hannah Cooper, and I’m reaching out because I see that you’re part of the Adidas social media team. I’m very interested in landing a similar role and wondered if you might be open to talking with me about your job. I’m looking for more information about what it’s like working in the athletic industry and whether I should pursue social media or a broader marketing role. Please let me know if you’re open to connecting!
Hannah
Example #3: Mutual friend/fellow alum
Hi Nathan,
My name is Karen Wu. I went to college with Rogelio Armands, and he suggested I reach out to you about jobs with Wonder Productions. I’m looking for entry-level opportunities in video editing and production. I’ve worked part-time on several indie films and freelance editing work for a few YouTube channels. Does your company have any openings that I should look into? I would also welcome any other leads you think might be relevant.
Best,
Karen
Before you begin reaching out, make sure your LinkedIn profile is in top-notch shape so that anyone who decides to take a closer look sees your best version.
Check out these posts for additional pointers:
- Tips to Build a LinkedIn Profile That’ll Get You Hired
- How to Make Your LinkedIn Profile Attractive to Recruiters
- How to Optimize Your LinkedIn Profile
