In today’s competitive job market, finding the right opportunities can feel like searching for a needle in a haystack. But fear not! There’s a secret weapon that can significantly boost your chances of landing that dream job. Every year, over three million new hires happen through LinkedIn. This professional networking platform has a powerful tool that can open doors to a multitude of different career possibilities: messaging recruiters.
Gone are the days of waiting for a callback or sending out endless resumes into the abyss. With LinkedIn, you can connect directly with recruiters, get valuable guidance, and even fast-track your way to exciting job prospects.
But like any form of communication, the art of messaging recruiters on LinkedIn requires finesse and strategic thinking.
In this article, we’ll unravel the best ways to find a recruiter and the secrets to crafting a compelling and engaging presence that will persuade recruiters to take notice of your potential.
Whether you’re a recent graduate, a seasoned professional looking for a change, or someone simply exploring new opportunities, mastering the art of messaging a LinkedIn recruiter can make all the difference in your career journey.
So, buckle up and get ready to harness the full potential of LinkedIn as we guide you through effective techniques and proven strategies that will not only grab recruiters’ attention but also establish meaningful connections that can propel your career forward. Unlock the doors to success, one message at a time!
What Is Recruiting?
Recruiting is the process of attracting, screening, selecting, and hiring qualified candidates for job vacancies within a company. It involves identifying potential candidates, evaluating their suitability for the role, and ultimately making a hiring decision.
There are over 58 million companies on LinkedIn. LinkedIn, as a professional networking platform, is commonly used by recruiters to find and connect with potential candidates. In fact, Jobscan reports that LinkedIn is being used by 94% of recruiters. So, it is an indispensable tool to utilize to your advantage as a job seeker.
There are certain basics of recruiting that recruiters follow:
Sourcing Candidates
Recruiters use various methods to source candidates, and LinkedIn is a popular platform for this purpose. They search for potential candidates based on keywords, job titles, skills, and location. LinkedIn’s advanced search filters allow recruiters to zero in on the most suitable professionals.
Top recruiters use LinkedIn’s recruiting tools 60% more frequently than typical recruiters do. Recruiters can use a subscription-based tool, LinkedIn Recruiter Lite, to identify potential candidates.
Connection Building
Recruiters connect with potential candidates on LinkedIn to establish healthy professional relationships. They send connection requests, personalized messages, or InMails to get in touch with competent professionals and express interest. Forty-three percent of recruiters report having used texting to reach out to candidates or current applicants.
Posting Job Opportunities
According to a LinkedIn study, 101 people apply for jobs through LinkedIn every second, and eight people are hired every minute. Recruiters can advertise job openings on LinkedIn by posting job descriptions or using LinkedIn’s job posting feature. These postings can reach a wide audience and attract potential candidates who are actively searching for new opportunities.
Employer Branding
LinkedIn allows recruiters to showcase their organization’s culture, values, and benefits. They can create a compelling company page, share updates, and highlight employee success stories to build a positive employer brand that attracts top talent.
Networking and Referrals
The platform enables recruiters to expand their network by connecting with industry professionals, joining relevant groups, and attending virtual events.
Survey results suggest that as much as 85% of all jobs are filled through networking. Employers leverage their connections to seek candidate referrals and recommendations, tapping into their network’s expertise.
Active and Passive Recruiting
Broadly speaking, recruitment techniques can be classified into two categories: active recruitment and passive recruitment.
LinkedIn outreach is one example of active recruiting. This approach involves proactively searching, filtering, and directly contacting potential candidates on your own, resembling headhunting.
Passive recruiting, on the other hand, involves a hiring manager who remains receptive to potential candidates approaching the company.
What Are the Best Ways To Find Recruiters?
So, how to message a recruiter on LinkedIn?
LinkedIn has over 39,000 skills listed. Now all you need to do is find someone hiring for the particular skill you possess.
Connecting with recruiters and talent acquisition specialists on the platforms can be done in multiple ways. The following are a few of them:
Locate Recruiters in Your Field
Locating recruiters on LinkedIn can be both easy and challenging. While LinkedIn’s features and search options make it convenient to find individuals with the “recruiter” title, you may need to invest some effort to ensure you are connecting with the right recruiters for your needs. Working with too many recruiters won’t do any good. It will take up your time without the guarantee of a job offer.
Following are some simple steps through which you can locate a recruiter easily:
- Sign in to your LinkedIn account (or create a new one if you don’t have an account yet).
- Click on the “Search” bar at the top of the LinkedIn homepage.
- Enter relevant keywords related to the type of recruiters you are looking for. For example, you can try searching for terms like “tech recruiter,” “talent acquisition,” and “HR manager” or specify the industry or job function you’re interested in.
- Click the search icon or press Enter. LinkedIn will display a list of search results based on your query. To narrow down the results, use the filters on the left side of the search results page. Look for the “People” filter and select it.
- Now you should see a list of LinkedIn profiles that match your search criteria. Scan through the profiles for individuals with “recruiter” or “talent acquisition specialist” mentioned in their job titles or descriptions.
- Click on the profiles that seem relevant to your job search to view more details about the recruiters.
Send an Introductory Message to the Recruiter
Once you have identified a group of important recruiter contacts, you need a concise, professional introductory message relevant to your expertise. This message will be sent to the recruiting team member along with your connection request, so it must clearly state your skill set and why you are interested in getting connected. “Be sure that you have a clear purpose in the message,and to apply for the role you are interested in, possibly including the application confirmation number if possible, and state 1-2 things from the job description that resonate with you and express your interest in the position” suggests Troy Kyles, a Pathrise career mentor. He suggests “always ensign with gratitude and a clear ask to connect if possible. The goal is to stand out and draft a personalized message that helps you stand out from the norm, you want the employer to remember you!”
This initial message initiates a conversation that enables the recruiter to share relevant job listings from company websites or include the job seeker in their internal recruiting database. Moreover, some recruiters may help you stay updated on their current sourcing requirements by directing you to their preferred method of accessing new job postings. 
Stay in Touch
If a recruiter responds to you stating that they will “keep your resume on file,” there is no need to be discouraged. It is a common practice and indicates that they anticipate receiving future requests for candidates with skills like yours.
Maintaining visibility with recruiters is crucial for several reasons:
- Job Opportunities: Talent acquisition specialists typically spend 13 hours (or close to one-third of their workweek) finding applicants for a single position. By staying connected with a recruiter, you increase your chances of being informed about relevant job opportunities. Recruiters often receive new job openings before they are publicly advertised, and by maintaining contact, you may gain early access to these positions.
- Market Insights: Recruiters possess valuable insight and knowledge regarding the job market and industry trends. By staying connected, you can benefit from their knowledge and keep up with changes in your field. They may provide information about the most sought-after skills, emerging job roles, or market conditions that can help you plan your career effectively.
- Personalized Support: Recruiters can offer personalized guidance and advice throughout your job search process. They can review your resume, provide feedback, and offer suggestions to improve your chances of success. By maintaining contact, you can benefit from their expertise and receive tailored support based on your career goals.
Don’t be Invisible — Put Your Best Foot Forward
An important way to grab the attention of recruiters is to make yourself noticeable to them. Recruiters frequently conduct targeted searches on LinkedIn to find potential candidates. If your profile aligns with their criteria, they may initiate contact with you proactively.
Following are some tips on how to stand out from the crowd:
Optimize Your Profile
Optimizing your profile is the first step in building your online presence. If your profile isn’t optimized, you are basically invisible to employers and hiring managers.
It starts with writing a compelling headline summarizing your experience and career goals. Next, create a professional summary in the “About” section of your profile, incorporating industry-specific keywords to highlight your expertise. Highlight relevant work experience, emphasizing key achievements and responsibilities.
Last but not least, select a professional photo that presents you in a polished and appropriate manner. Your profile is 14 times more likely to be viewed simply by having your own photo. Don’t upload a candid photo, since it doesn’t fit the platform’s vibe.
Show Your Expertise Through Certifications
Showcasing relevant certifications or courses you have completed is a way to demonstrate your commitment to professional development. It shows you have taken proactive steps to upskill. You should also include a link to your portfolio or personal website to provide additional context and showcase your work.
Let Employers Know You Are Looking for Work
Consider adding an “Open to Work” banner on your profile, indicating your job-seeking status. You can choose whether to display it to your entire network or only recruiters.
Don’t Forget To Post
Now that you have laid the foundation, it is time to put in the work. Every day, over 134.5 million individuals actively use LinkedIn. And you have to do something remarkable to stand out.
Start with posting informational content that can be valuable to people in your connections. For instance, you could write about “A day in the life of a cybersecurity analyst,” share a link to a blog post you liked on LinkedIn, write and publish an article yourself on the platform, or post reviews from clients praising your work.
Gather Reviews and Testimonials
A majority of workers — 53% — don’t feel comfortable sharing their professional achievements and feel like they are bragging. Similarly, 52% of them stated they would rather discuss a colleague’s achievements than their own.
You don’t have to make the same mistake.
It is a good idea to reach out to your previous employers and request feedback on LinkedIn. Recommendations and endorsements from former employers can significantly enhance your professional profile and increase your credibility in the eyes of potential recruiters or clients.
Don’t Accept Just Anything
In the face of challenging circumstances such as widespread economic uncertainty, recession, and job losses, you need to stay strong and not settle. While the job market may be tough, remember your worth and the value of your skills and experience.
In times of economic difficulty, it is understandable that people feel pressured to accept job offers that pay below their previous salary or their experience level. However, accepting such offers can have long-term consequences on your professional growth and financial well-being.
Saying no to offers paying below your experience demonstrates self-respect and confidence in your abilities. It sends a message to employers that this candidate understands their value and is not willing to settle for less.
Furthermore, refusing to accept low-paying offers and negotiating higher pay not only benefits job seekers but also contributes to the broader job market. When individuals collectively demand fair compensation, it raises overall standards and supports a more equitable and sustainable economy.
75% of recruiters have seen that candidates are now more likely to negotiate salaries. This encourages employers to recognize and reward the value that skilled professionals bring to their organizations.
Connecting with LinkedIn recruiters may seem challenging, but it doesn’t have to be. Creating a proper career plan and knowing what you want out of your next job will help you better decide which jobs to pursue and which ones to decline.
Work With Pathrise
Pathrise is a career acceleration program that guides emerging individuals through every step of the job search process and empowers them to secure their desired career opportunities.
We offer a range of mentorship services aimed at accelerating the job search process. You receive personalized one-on-one mentorship in optimizing your job search. The program comes with a job guarantee: you only pay when you successfully secure a fantastic job opportunity.
Our mentors guide our fellows in optimizing resumes and portfolios, reverse recruiting, crafting effective cold emails, mastering technical and behavioral interviews, and negotiating salary offers. Through our program, fellows have witnessed a doubling of their interview scores and increased application responses, resulting in an average job placement within three to five months.
If you aspire to secure your ideal tech job in less time, sign up at Pathrise today.
Apply today.
