Imagine you are at a networking event and see someone you want to get to know. Perhaps they have a successful company in your space that you’d like to learn more about or even try to get a role in. Would you approach this individual and demand their time and attention without a warm introduction or context? Most likely not, but this happens everyday on Linkedin.
Linkedin is incredible because almost every successful businessperson or entrepreneur is actively hanging out there, and is only one connection away. However, we can’t tell you how many people we see squandering this chance by sending superficial or automated messages that don’t motivate recipients to interact. If you take a little extra time to write a personalized message, you’re far more likely to establish the relationships you seek.
Here’s how to do it!
How to Introduce Yourself To A Prospective Employer
You’ve done your homework and found the hiring manager for the position of interest. However, you don’t want to jeopardize your chances of getting an interview by failing to leave a positive first impression.
Now that you’re wondering how to introduce yourself to a recruiting manager, let us explain further. So, this is how you go about it.
Follow Them And Interact With Their Postings
Ideally, you’re networking before making your next career transition, but this isn’t always the case. You might not have the luxury of time to establish a connection with the hiring manager if you’ve discovered a position online that interests you and want to contact the hiring manager.
Our first piece of advice is to locate and follow the recruiting manager on LinkedIn. Each person has the ability to follow others and view their postings and status changes. After that, you may respond to their updates and posts. Follow them if you wish, and if they’ve recently published any updates, spend a few minutes leaving a thought-provoking remark.
If you have the luxury of time, follow and interact for a week or two before extending a personal connection invitation. Skip spending a few weeks responding to their ads if you don’t have the time to spare since the position is already posted online, the closure date is coming up, or you need to act immediately. Go to the next phase once you follow them and leave comments on their posts.
Submit a Personalized Message along with a Connection Offer
As indicated in the last suggestion, send the hiring manager a connection request with a personalized message if you’re applying to a position that is open right away, the closure date is drawing near, or you’re ready to make your next professional move right off the bat.
Try and follow up with them or look for other ways to communicate with them if they don’t approve your connection request within a few days.
Another choice is to find the recruiting manager’s work email using an email search engine and send them a message from there. In addition, you may check when they have opened your email by using a tracking tool. As a result, you will know when to contact them again once they have seen your message.
Write The Introductory Message
Try these steps for writing a LinkedIn introduction that will get attention.
Begin with a Unique Title
Consider the following before writing the message.
- How do you know this individual, and why are you contacting them?
- Do you know this person, and do you need their guidance?
- Is it someone you’re in touch with and are interested in learning more?
- Is it someone you’re trying to establish a first-time connection with?
Create a subject line that is as specific as you can using those criteria.
Make Your Introduction
You typically send someone a one-sentence background when you see them and want to communicate with them.
On LinkedIn, don’t overlook this step. Never assume that your contact will merely visit your profile to find out more about you or how you’re related; instead, be proactive (and considerate of the other person’s time) and write a brief introduction.
Adapting your introduction for the individual contact demonstrates that you’re serious about the connection, whether you employ this line to mention the person, where you’ve met, or your connected background.
Get To The Point
The fewer words you use in your email, the better. People are time-constrained, and if you transition from a concise introduction into a drawn-out monologue on why you should get linked or a detailed recitation of your credentials, you risk losing their interest just as fast as you gained it.
Keep this in mind while you write your second paragraph, which contains the body of your statement. Briefly enter your intention for writing; “simply to be linked” is not sufficient. What motivates you to want to connect? Do you enjoy the updates or items from this person? Do you wish to enquire about this person’s background or employer?
Be Thankful While Wrapping It Up
Your closing remarks should appear in the message’s final few lines. While being courteous, make sure what you’re asking for is understood.
This thank-you is essential since you are likely requesting a favor from someone who you don’t know well enough to phone or email.
It takes a few minutes longer than sending an automated message, but it will certainly provide better results.
Key Takeaways
A recruiter does not have time to read through your entire profile to discover your job history and skill set. The saying “the first impression is the final impression” applies here. It also relates to the summary of your LinkedIn profile. Therefore, talk about your accomplishments, your offered services, and your fundamental competencies to pique recruiters’ interest in your profile. All in all, make an effort to present your best self.
