You’re searching on LinkedIn to find and connect with a recruiter who works for an employer at the top of your priority list. Success! You’re connected, and now it’s time to say hi with a LinkedIn message. But first, there are specific elements you should include in this message. With only one chance to make a first impression, let’s make certain it’s a positive one.

Get started on the right foot

Put simply, start your LinkedIn message with hello in some form, using the individual’s name as well. Next, explain why you’re making contact, just as you would at the beginning of a cover letter. Maybe you’re really interested in this company in general, or perhaps there is a specific role or type of role that you’ve seen them advertise and you feel like you may be a great match. Whatever the case may be, this need not be a lengthy statement—one or two sentences will usually suffice.

You’ll notice there is no option here to simply type “Hi” and wait for a response as in a text message. While that approach is well intentioned, it provides neither context nor substance and is something most recruiters will not respond to. In order to create the ideal reaction, you must treat this interaction as if you are typing a professional email or a condensed cover letter.

A crucial piece of the puzzle

With the intro done, now it’s time for the even more important part—a sales pitch, of sorts. Sell yourself within a couple or a few sentences.

Here, I like to emphasize the concept of exchange. In writing this LinkedIn message, you are likely asking for help of some kind. When asking for something of value, it’s crucial that you offer something of value in return. Ideally, this something is a skill or set of qualifications relevant to the needs of this individual. Recruiters in the corporate world get tons of these messages every day, so it’s important to let them know why they should keep you at the forefront. Otherwise, you may find yourself not receiving responses from LinkedIn outreach.

The closing

And finally, take no more than two sentences to close out a LinkedIn message; part of that closing should be to ask if you can send a resume. Since you aren’t yet acquainted with this recruiter, it’s not the right time to ask for career advice, help with the search, or for any other useful resources you feel this individual may have. Requests of that kind may be reasonable at a later date, but asking those questions early on won’t really help you. Again, it’s important to give them something of value before you ask for favors in return.

Written by: Adam Lafield, Recruiter & Marketing Specialist