Tips for Networking with Recruiters After College

I tested 𝟭𝟬𝟬+ 𝗻𝗲𝘁𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗺𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗮𝗴𝗲𝘀 (During my last job search and as a career coach). These 𝟱 get the highest response rates, especially from hiring managers👇 1. The Profile Viewer Message Check who viewed your LinkedIn profile. They’re already aware of you, don’t let that warm lead go cold. Try this: "Hey [Name], I noticed you stopped by my profile, appreciate you taking a look! Curious, was there something specific that caught your eye, or are you open to conversations around [industry/topic you're exploring]?" 👉 Tip: Warm > Cold. Always start with people who’ve already shown interest. 2. Acknowledge + Ask Find something unique about their background or a recent post, and ask a question. "Hi [Name], I saw your talk on [topic], your insight on [specific point] stuck with me. How did you land your current role at [Company]?" People love talking about themselves, especially when you show genuine interest. 3. Value First Offer a useful insight, article, or trend that aligns with their work. No ask, just value. "Hey [Name], I saw your post about [topic]. Just came across this article, it touches on a similar trend. Thought you might find it interesting." Position yourself as thoughtful, not transactional. 4. Mutual Connection Approach Bridge a real mutual connection or shared experience. "Hi [Name], I noticed we both worked with [Person] / went to [School] / worked in [Company or Industry]. I'd love to learn more about your path, especially how you made the transition to [Role/Company]." Relatability opens doors faster than credentials. 5. Compliment + Curiosity Start with a specific compliment, then open the door. "Hi [Name], really enjoyed your article on [topic], especially your point about [detail]. Are you open to connecting with people exploring similar roles in [industry]?" It’s respectful, direct, and makes it easy for them to respond. Reminder: You don’t need to spam 100 strangers. Start with 10 meaningful messages a week. Track responses. Iterate on what works. Focus on warm leads, shared interests, and genuine curiosity. What template would you like to see next? If you're ready to level up, let’s position you for the roles you actually want. ➕Follow Jaret André for more daily data job search tips.

It's networking week! You told me you wanted to learn more about networking, so this week I've been sharing networking tips. Today we're talking about how to connect with recruiters. Well, here's how NOT to approach recruiters: “I’m looking for a job. Can you help?” "Can you help find some suitable roles in [job title] and [job title]?" "Can you find a job for me?" I am not a recruiter and I get these messages often. And not in the "I see you’re a career coach and I need help with my job search" way. I get messages that are "I think you’re  a recruiter who can help me get a job." On behalf of overworked recruiters everywhere, let me break it down ... • Recruiters don't find jobs for you. They fill jobs that are in their pipeline. • Please don’t approach recruiters in this way. You will never get a response. Recruiters are juggling dozens of roles and hundreds of contacts at once, they don’t have time to respond to messages like this. • Recruiters are busy and risk-averse. They want to put forward the best candidates, so you have to explain why you are that person. ❗ If you are contacting a recruiter about a specific role, APPLY FOR THE JOB FIRST and include in your message: "I applied on this date for this job title (include a req # if available)..." then follow my message template below. If you are cold-calling a recruiter, here’s a few things to do: 1) Do your research - Only contact recruiters who hire for your ideal company, job title, and/or industry. 2) Make your message short and to the point. Use short sentences, short paragraphs, and bullet points. (If you’re sending a direct message on LinkedIn, you are limited to 300 characters.) 3) List your ideal job title and industry. 4) Include your location. 5) Share top skills. 6) Mention your most impressive accomplishments. 7) Attach your resume. SAMPLE MESSAGE TO A RECRUITER: "Hi [Name], I’m a SaaS product manager in Boston skilled in Agile, data analytics, and market research. My products have increased user engagement 50% and brought in $3M+ in revenue. I’ve included my resume if you are recruiting for this type of role. With gratitude, - Emily" (274 characters! Woot!) If you want to send a direct message but you only see the “Follow” button or messaging is not an option, click “More” → “Connect” → Add a note to your connection request. (See attached picture.) I'm rooting for you 👊 ***** Hi, have we met? I'm Emily, and I'm on a mission to get the #greenbannergang back to work, one actionable step at a time. #networking #jobsearch #recruiters #jobhunt #jobseekers

Everyone says, “Network your way into a job.” But no one tells you how to make your message actually stand out. I used to send generic cold messages that got zero replies. Then I started attaching specific questions or insights about the company or role. That’s when conversations started. Here’s how to network well: - Don’t ask for a referral in your first message. Start a conversation. - Mention a specific project or product the person worked on that excites you. - Ask one thoughtful question, not “Can I pick your brain?” - Keep it under 3 sentences. Respect their time. Here’s are a few templates you can use: - Hello! I applied to a SWE internship at Meta and had a few questions about the work culture. Would you be open to connecting? I appreciate your time! - Your work in [field/area of expertise] is truly remarkable. As an aspiring [role], I'd greatly appreciate the chance to connect and gain invaluable guidance from your journey. - I'm captivated by your unique approach to [specific aspect of their work]. Could we connect? I'd love to learn more and potentially explore opportunities for collaboration. - Hello! I read the research paper you published on XYZ topic. As a master’s student, I’m interested in pursuing research in similar fields, I’d be thrilled if you could connect! - I'm fascinated by your work on [specific project/initiative]. As an aspiring [role] in [field], I'd love to connect and learn from your expertise. Would you be open to a brief chat? - Your recent [article/interview/presentation] on [topic] resonated deeply with me. I'm keen to explore [related area of interest] and would appreciate the opportunity to connect. Your message should be short, specific, and easy to reply to. Most people just say, “Hi, can you refer me?” Be better than most people. #networking #techcareers #jobsearch #30DaysOfCareerGrowth Day 6 of #30DaysOfCareerGrowth