How to Write Effective LinkedIn Tech Recruiting Messages
You’re probably doing it wrong
I’ve received hundreds of LinkedIn messages over the past several years. Occasionally, one or two of those messages would pique my interest and I would send a reply, but more often than not, I simply clicked delete. Read on for tips on how to make your recruiting messages stand out to top-level talent.
A killer introduction
Hello {name}! I’ve got a great job for you.
A killer introduction isn’t just for the headlines of a newspaper. No, we want to be drawn in, and with a million things vying for our attention from emails to text messages, you’re going to have to step up your game. “Hello {name}, I’ve got a great job for you” simply isn’t going to cut it. (By the way, I can’t tell you how many times I’ve been called “name”).
How to fix it:
- Take 1 minute to review a LinkedIn profile and mention something about the person’s background that will make them the perfect fit for the role
Know the job requirements
I see that you have a lot of experience with JavaScript. That’s great, and it makes you perfect for this Java Developer role I’m recruiting for.
This seems pretty obvious, but you’d be surprised how many recruiters have contacted me not knowing anything about the role they are recruiting for. I’m not saying that you have to be able to do the job yourself, but it’s helpful to understand the terminology and keep up-to-date with the tools your candidate will be asking about.
How to fix it:
- Go through each role you are recruiting for and highlight terms or words you are not familiar with. Google them or take a free intro class on Udacity to learn the basics of it.
Don’t be annoying
Persistence is good. We like persistence, but there’s a fine line here and many have crossed it. One recruiter messaged me 4 times a day for several days, which ultimately led to being blocked. Once we smell signs of desperation, we as jobseekers know something is up, and not in a good way.
How to fix it:
- Create a spreadsheet with all the contacts you’ve reached out to, along with the date, then follow up after an appropriate amount of time (48–72 hours).
Be upfront about salary
True, money isn’t everything, but no matter how “awesome and amazing” the job is, we still want to know what it’s paying. Being upfront about the salary range will reduce a lot of the song and dance that goes around the interview process. As jobseekers, we want to know that we’re in the right ballpark and that we could work something out. If not, it’s not worth our time — nor yours — to try and recruit us for the position.
How to fix it:
- Clearly state the salary range in your initial message, along with any other benefits for a jobseeker’s consideration.
Now go forth and write some winning LinkedIn recruiting messages!
