Is It a Bad Idea to Contact Recruiters on LinkedIn About Jobs?

I used to be an executive recruiter.

This means I spent a lot of time on LinkedIn interacting with candidates. And I mean, a lot.

I also put in a good amount of time on the platform fielding invitations to connect, usually from random people mostly interested in my open roles.

As a job seeker, do you think it’s a bad idea to contact recruiters on LinkedIn about positions?

If you’re doing so just for the sake of reaching out or to simply increase the number of connections on your profile, then yes, it’s a bad idea.

If the recruiter is in your industry of interest and you’re genuinely looking to create a connection that may offer mutual benefits, then it’s not a bad idea to do so. And I recommend it. But you must do it the right way.

Most of those job seekers who reached out to me were only concerned about my available jobs. Not about building a relationship. They didn’t understand how LinkedIn is meant to work. And it really showed. Which affected what invitations I accepted – or did not.

This is still true today.

Consider the following when sending an invitation to connect with recruiters (or really, with anyone) on LinkedIn to boost your chances of receiving a positive response, and help you ultimately land a job interview.

Don’t send a random LinkedIn request

As I mentioned, recruiters receive numerous requests. Every day. And if you want yours to get read — and accepted — then YOU NEED to personalize it. Do not use the standard “I’d like to add you to my professional network” message. Believe me, this will not work. And won’t get accepted.

Be brief

You only have 300 characters. Keep your note concise and to the point. But also include enough information to make the recruiter want to connect with you.

Explain your association

Do you share a mutual connection? Do you both participate in the same LinkedIn group? Or have else something in common? Then you need to mention that in your invitation.

Offer something of value

Can you facilitate an introduction that would benefit them? Or is there something else worthy you can provide? If the potential value isn’t obvious, don’t be afraid to ask what it is you can do for them. Meaningful relationships offer mutual advantages. It’s reciprocity and your ability to extend something beneficial that builds stable foundations for strong connections.

It’s reciprocity and your ability to extend something beneficial that builds stable foundations for strong connections.

How to do it

Here’s how to find recruiters on LinkedIn:

• Go to the LinkedIn search bar
• Type Recruiter and <your desired industry> (for example, Recruiter and Investment Banking)
• Use the People function to review those recruiters who specialize in your field of interest

Now reach out to them!

• Navigate to the person’s profile page
• Click “Connect”
• Then click “Add a note” to personalize your invitation. You must tailor it! This is an important step. For example:

“I noticed you recruit for financial services which is a field of interest to me. I strongly believe in the value of relationships and based on your background I feel we could mutually benefit from connecting. I also may be able to help in identifying people for your searches. Feel free to reach out!“

• And finally, click “Send”!

You can download our FREE Guide to Connecting on LinkedIn which walks you through the steps for building successful relationships on the platform.

Or consider enrolling in our online certification course. We dive into LinkedIn even further and offer valuable tips on how to make the most of it. Plus, you will earn credentials as a NetWorkWise Certified Professional (NWW-CP)!

LinkedIn is a place to create and maintain professional relationships. And you must nurture them. You can’t just reach out when you need a favor. This will soon backfire. As suggested by Olympic hopeful Seun Adebiyi the time to ‘hurricane-proof’ your life isn’t when the shingles start to fly off the roof, but when the sky is still blue and sunny.

Contacting recruiters on LinkedIn about jobs and building a mutually beneficial connection shows you are proactive in relationship-building. And this will be appreciated! As long as you do it the right way and for all the right reasons your invitation will be accepted by those who can help advance your career path — and help you land the job you want.

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