How To Reach Out to Recruiters on LinkedIn [+10 Examples]

When you’re on the job search, contacting recruiters can drastically increase your chances of being noticed. From students to experienced employees, company recruiters are willing and eager to chat with all kinds of potential candidates. And what’s the best way to get in contact with them? LinkedIn! 

LinkedIn is the number one professional networking platform where you can find thousands of recruiters looking for qualified candidates. Whether you’re actively looking for a job or simply exploring new opportunities, connecting with a recruiter can prove to be valuable.

If you’re feeling intimidated by the thought of making the first move, worry no more! Here’s your detailed guide on how to reach out to a recruiter on LinkedIn.

Step 1: Create or Update Your LinkedIn Profile

Before you rush into reaching out to a recruiter, you should take the time to ensure your LinkedIn profile is at the top of its game. Is your resume section updated? How about your LinkedIn summary? 

Chances are the recruiter will view your profile when they see your invitation to connect, so put your best foot forward and update your profile first!

Tips for Updating Your LinkedIn Profile

1. Change your profile picture.

If it’s more than a few years old, it might be time to update it! Keep it professional by dressing nicely and maintaining good posture in your picture.

Pro tip: Your face should take up slightly more than half of the photo to make you more recognizable.

2. Update your headline.

Your headline should be more than your job title. Use your headline to tell people who you are and what you’re looking for. 

Pro tip: If you’re a student looking for an internship, your headline could look something like this: Business student seeking a degree in administration | Exploring internship opportunities 

3. List your relevant skills.

Your profile has a section where you can list your hard and soft skills. Think about a few skills that make you a great candidate for the jobs you’re interested in and list them here. 

Pro tip: Connect with people you’ve worked with in the past who can endorse your skills.

4. Update your resume section.

Ensure that your Experience section is up-to-date with all your past job titles, the companies you’ve worked for, and the time you worked there. 

Pro tip: Model your LinkedIn resume after the resume you’d use to apply for jobs by listing your key responsibilities and accomplishments at each job.

5. Write a captivating summary.

The About section should tell your professional story rather than listing your accomplishments, job titles, or skills. 

Pro tip: Think of this section as your 60-second elevator pitch about you. Who are you? What is interesting about you? What kind of work are you interested in? What makes you a good candidate for future positions in your field?

Step 2: Seek Out Recruiters + Request to Connect

The first step to reaching out to a Recruiter is finding one. Think about the different companies for which you would like to work and use the LinkedIn search bar to find the company’s page. 

When you’re on the company page click the “People” link, which will show every LinkedIn profile of those who work there. You can then use filters and further searches to find a Recruiter, HR Manager, Talent Acquisition Specialist, or another recruiting job title.

Now is your chance to make first contact. As long as you’re using the website versions of LinkedIn (not the app), you can choose to add a note to your invitation. This is the best way to stand out from the crowd of invitations recruiters receive and make yourself appear more professional and personable.

When sending off your invitation, you’ll want to keep your note simple and professional. Call out what they do and why you want to connect with them. You may also include a few key details about yourself that will give them some more information about what kind of positions you are interested in (i.e., your field of work or study and experience level). 

Pro Tip: Your message must fit within the 300-character limit so make it polished and succinct.

Don’t Forget the Thank You Note 

When the recruiter accepts your invite, you’ll get a notification. This is the perfect time to send a thank-you note and follow up on the message you sent.

Start your message by saying thank you for their willingness to connect and then offer a conversational topic or reiterate your interest in learning more about future opportunities. 

Remember, this isn’t the time to ask for a job — instead, show your interest in the company and learn what you can do to become a viable candidate for upcoming job openings.

Step 3: Build a Professional Relationship

After your initial conversation with the recruiter, it’s important to build and maintain a professional relationship. By doing this, you will remain at the forefront of their mind when the right opportunity comes up. 

Here are a few ideas for how to keep in touch with a recruiter:

• Send them an interesting article 
• Offer your thoughts on a topic that relates to their company
• Ask for their advice on how you can improve your resume
• Refer them to someone who might be qualified for another job opening
• Interact with their posts on LinkedIn
• Continually update your LinkedIn with posts about your professional life

When To Inquire About a Position

While it may be tempting, asking for a job upfront isn’t the professional way to go about this. Your recruiter should first help you determine if you’d fit in with the company and if you possess all the skills you need to be a successful candidate. 

So when is the right time to ask for a job? If the company is actively recruiting or recently posted a job opening for the role you’re interested in, that is the perfect time to reach out. You can choose to reach out to the recruiter either before or after applying, but make sure you contact them and let them know you’re interested. 

But what if there isn’t currently a job opening listed? As long as you’ve had multiple conversations with the recruiter and you feel confident that you’re a good fit, feel free to reach out and inquire about current opportunities or near-future openings. As always, make sure to be clear, kind, and, above all, professional.

10 Examples of How to Reach Out to a Recruiter on LinkedIn 

In need of inspiration? Here are 10 examples of messages you can send to a recruiter on LinkedIn in various circumstances. 

1. Sending a Connection Request 

Hi [Name], 

I see that you recruit for [Company Name]. I am exploring opportunities in the field of [job field/occupation] as I am currently a student in [field of study] and graduating soon. Would you be willing to connect with me and chat about what you’re looking for in future candidates? 

2. Another Connection Request 

Hello [Name],

I noticed that you recruit for [Company Name]. I am a [job title] learning about the field of [job field/occupation] as I seek out career growth opportunities. Would you be willing to connect with me and chat about what your company looks for in a candidate? 

3. Thank-You Note

Hi [Name],

Thank you for connecting with me! I look forward to getting to know you and learning more about [Company Name]. Would you be open to having a conversation about what makes a great candidate for [Company Name], specifically in [desired role/job title]? 

Thanks again! 

4. Thank You for When the Recruiter Reaches Out First

Hi [Name],

Thank you for reaching out! I’d love to connect with you and learn more about [Company Name] and potential job opportunities in [job field]. Would you like to set up a phone call so we can discuss this further?

Thanks again for contacting me. I look forward to speaking with you soon! 

5. Just Connecting

Hi [Name],

How are you doing? I just wanted to reach out and connect with you about [relevant topic]. I wonder if you have any insights about this or how [Company Name] is approaching it? I’d love to hear your thoughts! 

6. Continued Networking

Hello [Name], 

I hope all is well with you. I am reaching out because I saw this interesting article about [relevant topic (make sure to attach the article/link)].

Here are some of my thoughts:
[Your thoughts and key takeaways] 

I am curious if there is anything that stands out to you. I’d love to hear if you have any key takeaways. 

Thanks in advance!

7. Inquiring About Internship Opportunities

Hi [Name], 

I hope all is well. I see that you’ve been recruiting for [Company Name] for [number] years. I’m a student on track to graduate in [graduation year] who is currently looking for internship opportunities. I have been interested in working with [Company Name] for some time now and thought I’d reach out and ask if there are any available internship opportunities in [job field], and, if so, what makes a good candidate? 

I’d love to connect with you and ask some further questions. Please let me know if you’d be interested in setting up a phone call to discuss internship opportunities in more detail. 

Thank you for your time. I look forward to talking with you more! 

8. Inquiring About a Position 

Hi [Name],

I appreciate you taking the time to speak with me about [Company Name] and what you look for in a good candidate. 

As you may know, I am a [job title/occupation] and I am currently exploring job opportunities in [job field]. I am reaching out to see if you know of any openings or upcoming opportunities at [Company Name] for which I may be a good fit. I have attached my resume to this message so you can look it over and learn more about my background. 

Thank you for your time and consideration. I hope to hear from you soon.

9. Another Way to Ask About a Position 

Hello [Name],

I want to say thank you for the time you’ve taken to talk with me about [Company Name].

As you may know from previous conversations, I am a student that is graduating in just a few months. I am currently exploring entry-level job opportunities in [job field], and want to ask if you know of any openings or upcoming opportunities at [Company Name] for which I may be qualified. I have attached my resume to this message, so you can look it over and learn more about me and my background or you can view my LinkedIn profile which has more information.

Thank you for your time and consideration. I hope to hear from you soon.

10. Reaching Out After an Interview

Hello [Name],

I just had an interview with [Name/team] and I wanted to say thank you for recommending me for the [job title] opportunity. I greatly appreciate your advice and willingness to help me in my job search. 

I hope we can continue to work together moving forward. Wishing you the very best!

LinkedIn FAQs 

Here are the answers to the most common questions asked about networking with recruiters on LinkedIn.

When Should I Reach Out to a Recruiter? 

Whether you’ve already met the recruiter at a job fair or you’ve only found them on LinkedIn, there’s no wrong time to reach out. You can reach out when you are searching for a job or even before you start. 

Just remember that connecting and building a relationship are two essential steps that you should take before inquiring about a job. So being proactive is key to landing the right job at the right time. 

Should I Message the Recruiter Before or After Applying? 

If you have any questions about the job description or are unsure about your qualifications, reach out to the recruiter before applying to seek further clarification. 

You can always reach out to the recruiter to let them know that you applied and give them a few highlights from your resume that would make you a great candidate. Doing this may help you stand out from the hundreds of other applicants.

Should I Contact the Recruiter After an Interview? 

Yes! You should reach out to the recruiter and interviewer after an interview with a follow-up email. Reaching out shows them that you are grateful for the opportunity and that you’re still interested in the position. You should also update them with any thoughts about the job and ask any follow-up questions that you may have after the interview. 

What Are the Do’s and Don’ts of LinkedIn?

Here are some best practices for LinkedIn networking:

• Keep your profile updated. 
• Contact the recruiter well in advance.
• Ask questions about a job to better understand if you are qualified.
• Be respectful and set clear intentions. 

Here are some tips for what to avoid when connecting on LinkedIn:

• Don’t connect with just anyone — only with people you’re interested in working with in the future.
• Don’t message someone without following up. 
• Don’t send a generic message — personalize it! 
• Do not waste the recruiter’s time if you are not qualified for the job.

Expert Career Advice

The Robertson College Workforce Team can help you create a career development plan that is tailored to your skills, interests, needs, and career goals. We’ll be with you every step of the way to help you reach new heights. 

From job exploration to preparing for your first job interview, the Robertson College Workforce Team has your back. We’re here to help you achieve the career of your dreams from Day One to graduation.

Get in touch with our workforce team today for career guidance and advice!