How to Message a Recruiter on LinkedIn (+ 8 Example Messages)

To message a recruiter on LinkedIn, find the right person (the job poster in the "Meet the hiring team" section or a recruiter at the company), then send a short connection request with a note, or an InMail if you have Premium. Say which role you want, give one concrete reason you fit, and end with a simple question. Keep it under 200 characters as a connection note, or a few short paragraphs as an InMail or a message to a connection.

Below: the three ways to reach a recruiter, a step-by-step method, eight example messages you can adapt, and how to follow up without being pushy.

Three ways to message a recruiter on LinkedIn

A few details from LinkedIn Help that change how you should use them:

• Free accounts can add a personalized note to up to three connection requests per month (LinkedIn Help). Spend them on recruiters for roles you really want.
• InMail credits come back if the recipient accepts, declines or replies within 90 days, and you can't send a second InMail to someone until they've answered the first (LinkedIn Help).
• If a recruiter has a Premium Open Profile, you can message them for free, without using an InMail credit (LinkedIn Help).

Not sure whether Premium is worth it for your search? See what InMail is and how to send one and our breakdown of LinkedIn Premium plans and prices.

Step 1: Find the right recruiter

Messaging the wrong person is the most common reason recruiters don't answer. In order of preference:

1. The job poster. Open the job on LinkedIn and look for the Meet the hiring team section. LinkedIn lets you connect with or message the people listed there, including the person who posted the job (LinkedIn Help).
2. A recruiter for that team. On the company page, open People and search for "recruiter", "talent acquisition" or "talent partner", plus the team or location.
3. The hiring manager. For smaller companies, the future manager often reads messages faster than HR. Search the company's people for the team lead in your function.

Check the recruiter's recent posts and headline. Many say which roles or regions they cover. Agency recruiters (working for several clients) are worth contacting too, but tell them what kind of role you want, not a single job ad.

Step 2: Write the message

A recruiter reads dozens of messages a week. Make yours easy to act on:

• Line 1: the role. Name the job title and, if you have it, the job ID or link.
• Line 2: your fit, in one fact. Years in the field plus one concrete result, or the one requirement you match unusually well.
• Line 3: one easy question or next step. "Are you the right person for this role?" or "Happy to send my CV if useful."

What to leave out: your life story, "To whom it may concern", a request for "any opportunities", a CV attachment in a first InMail (offer it instead), and anything that sounds copy-pasted to 50 people.

Step 3: Send it at the right time

Send your message the same day you apply, or just before. Recruiters often review applications in batches, and a short note can get yours opened. Weekday mornings in the recruiter's time zone are a sensible default.

8 example messages to send a recruiter

Adapt the brackets. The first three fit in a 200-character connection note.

1. Connection note after applying

Hi [Name], I just applied for the [job title] role at [Company]. I have [X] years in [skill] and would be glad to connect if you have questions.

2. Connection note before applying

Hi [Name], I'm a [job title] focused on [skill] and plan to apply for your [role] opening. Are you the recruiter for it? Happy to connect.

3. Connection note to stay on a recruiter's radar

Hi [Name], I'm a [job title] in [city] specialized in [skill]. I see you recruit for [team] at [Company] and would like to be on your radar.

4. InMail about a specific job

Subject: [Job title] application, [Your name]

Hi [Name],

I applied for the [job title] position at [Company] today (job ID [number]). Over the last [X] years at [current company], I [one concrete result with a number].

The posting mentions [key requirement]; that's what I've spent most of the last two years on, including [short example].

Are you the right person to talk to about this role? Happy to send my CV or a short portfolio if it helps.

Thanks,
[Your name]

5. Message to a recruiter when there's no open role

Hi [Name], thanks for connecting. I'm a [job title] with [X] years in [industry], currently looking for [type of role] in [location / remote]. I know [Company] has no matching opening right now, but if something comes up on [team], I'd love to hear about it. Is there anything I should know about how your team hires?

6. Message to an agency recruiter

Hi [Name], I saw you place [type of roles] in [industry]. I'm a [job title] with [X] years of experience, looking for a [type of role] in [location], salary range [range]. I'm available from [date]. Could we set up a short call this week?

7. Reply when a recruiter contacts you (interested)

Hi [Name], thanks for reaching out. The [role] sounds interesting, especially [detail from their message]. I'm available for a call [two time slots]. Could you share the salary range and whether the role is remote or hybrid?

8. Follow-up after no reply

Hi [Name], following up on my message about the [job title] role. I'm still very interested and have since [new detail: finished a project, earned a certification]. If someone else handles this role, could you point me to them? Thanks!

How to follow up without being pushy

• Wait about a week after your first message before following up, and send one follow-up only. If there's still no answer, move on or contact someone else on the hiring team.
• Add something new in the follow-up (a result, a link to a project, an updated availability) instead of "just checking in".
• Try another channel if LinkedIn stays silent. Many recruiters live in their email inbox. Our guide to finding someone's email from LinkedIn shows how (the useArtemis email finder can find and verify a professional email address), and our follow-up email examples cover what to write.

Wondering whether the recruiter even saw your message? LinkedIn only shows that a message was read if the recipient hasn't turned off read receipts; we explain the details in does LinkedIn have read receipts.

Make recruiters come to you

Messaging recruiters works better when your profile already answers their first questions.

1. Turn on Open to Work. Click Me > View profile > Open to > Finding a new job, then add the job titles and locations you want. You can choose Recruiters only (people using LinkedIn Recruiter) or All LinkedIn members, which also adds the #OpenToWork photo frame (LinkedIn Help). LinkedIn takes steps to hide your status from recruiters at your current company but says it can't guarantee complete privacy.
2. Write a headline recruiters search for. Use the job title you want, your specialty and a proof point, not just your current title. Our free LinkedIn headline generator gives you a few options to start from.
3. Match your keywords to the jobs you want. Recruiters search by title, skills and location, so use the same words as the job posts in your headline, About section, experience and skills.
4. Keep your experience current. List results with numbers, not duties. Recruiters skim.

FAQ

Is it OK to message a recruiter on LinkedIn?

Yes. Recruiters use LinkedIn to find and contact candidates, and a short, relevant message about a specific role is normal. Keep it professional, name the role and make one clear point about your fit. Avoid sending the same generic message to every recruiter at a company.

How do I message a recruiter on LinkedIn without Premium?

Send a connection request with a note (free accounts can personalize three per month, up to 200 characters each), then message them once they accept. You can also message for free any recruiter with a Premium Open Profile, or contact the person listed in the job's "Meet the hiring team" section if you're already connected.

What should I say when messaging a recruiter?

Name the role you're interested in, give one concrete reason you're a fit (a result, a skill they asked for, relevant experience) and end with a simple question or next step. Three or four sentences are enough. Offer your CV rather than attaching it to a first message.

How long should I wait before following up with a recruiter on LinkedIn?

Wait about a week after your first message. Send one polite follow-up that adds something new, such as a recent result or project. If there's still no reply, contact another person on the hiring team or try email instead of sending more LinkedIn messages.

Should I connect with a recruiter before applying?

You can do either, but applying first gives you something concrete to mention. A short note like "I just applied for the [role], happy to connect if you have questions" is easy for a recruiter to accept and connects your profile to your application.