Writing an Effective LinkedIn Message to a Recruiter

Here’s exactly how I’d approach a recruiter at Google, Meta, or Amazon on LinkedIn (if I were job hunting today) LinkedIn is still the best place to connect with recruiters — but most people either overshare or ghost after connecting. No, you don’t need a 500-word pitch. No, you don’t have to wait for a job to open. Here’s a 4-step roadmap I recommend to job seekers in the U.S. (especially immigrants): Step 1: Find the right recruiter Search for: Meta recruiter or Talent acquisition at Google. Then filter: → By location (target U.S. cities you're applying in) → By department (e.g. "technical recruiter" for SWE roles) Step 2: Send a short, specific connection request Keep it human. No essay. Example: “Hi [Name], I noticed you focus on [backend/data/scaled hiring] at Amazon. I’d love to connect and follow your updates as I explore roles in that space.” Avoid: - I need job. - Generic “Hi, I want to work at your company.” Step 3: Follow up after they accept (2–3 days later) This is your chance to be clear and polite. Example: “Hi [Name], thanks for connecting! I’m really interested in the [job title] role at [Company] and have attached my resume for reference. Would love any tips on applying or learning more about the role.” You’re not begging. You’re being prepared and respectful. Step 4: Build visibility, not just messages Recruiters respond better when you stay visible. → Comment on their posts → Share 1–2 updates about your job search or projects → Stay top of mind without being spammy Timeline recap: Day 1: Connection request Day 3: Follow-up message with resume Week 2+: Stay visible, share progress or comment on relevant content Not every recruiter will respond — and that’s okay. But this approach gets you 10x better results than “Hi sir, job please.” Share this with a job seeker you know. P.S. Follow me if you’re an Indian job seeker in the U.S. trying to land yiyr dream job. I share job search strategies that actually work.

"I'm looking for a new job, can you help me?" "Hi, I'm open to work." "Hi, I need a new job." I get these messages all the time from people who think that I am a recruiter. Please don't message recruiters this way. • It's not a recruiter's job to get you a job. It's a recruiter's job to fill open roles in their organization or for their clients. • I am not a recruiter (I am a career coach), so it makes me wonder if you did research on the person before sending the message, or you are mass-messaging people, which is not effective. • These messages do nothing to help you because there are no details here. You haven't told me anything about what you want and what you offer. I write the same response to each message, and I've typed it enough times that I thought I'd share it with you too: "Thanks for your message, but unfortunately I am not a recruiter and I do not have jobs available, I'm sorry to say. But, in case you do send this message to recruiters, I have some tips: 1) Confirm they are a recruiter for your industry before you send the message. 2) Attach your resume. 3) Include the job titles that interest you. 4) Add your location and the types of roles you want (remote/hybrid). 5) Add a list of your skills, particularly hard skills like software and industry-specific skills. 6) Include a short list of bullet points outlining your proudest achievements. Illustrate your impact. Demonstrate how you provide value to an organization. (You can pull bullet points from your resume.) 7) Wrap it up with your phone number and email address (make it easy for them to contact you)." BONUS: It's better to message a recruiter AFTER you applied for the role: "I applied for x job on x date and here's how I would make an impact on the job." I'm rooting for you. 👊 ♻ Please repost if you think this advice will help others. ***** 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. #jobsearch #jobhunt #jobseekers #LinkedIn #networking

As a full-time recruiter, I’ve gotten hundreds of cold emails from job-seekers. If you want a job from a cold email, 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗻𝗲𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝗳𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗼𝘄 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝘁𝗲𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗲: I firmly believe the right cold email can land you an interview with any company. But, there's a big difference between one that gets put in the 🗑️ and one that lands you the job. Here's how to write a great one: 👇 "Hi [Recruiter's Name], I noticed an open [Role] on [Company]’s website. I’m a [Job Title / School] with [Years of Experience], specializing in [Key Skills]. Recently, I worked on [Relevant Experience], which aligns directly with [Company’s Needs]. I've attached my resume and [Portfolio / LinkedIn], and I've applied to the job posting through the company website: [Hyperlinked Job Link]. Please let me know if there's anything I can do to expedite a conversation with yourself or someone on the hiring team. Thanks, [Your Name]" Here's why this template works: ↳ It's simple. ↳ It has a strong CTA. ↳ It immediately shows why you're the right fit. Cold emails can be a super easy way to stand out in the job market – if you're not sending them on top of filling out job applications, make sure to start! - 💡Want to learn more of the recruiting hacks I learned over 4+ years as a recruiter? Follow me Timothy for weekly recruiting tips.