Updated October 19, 2026
How to Message a Recruiter on LinkedIn (With Templates)
The right message to a recruiter is short, specific and sent at the right moment: right after you apply, cold when there's no open role posted yet, or soon after you've met in person.
Recruiters on LinkedIn get dozens of messages a day, so the ones that get a reply are short, specific and easy to act on. State who you are, which role you mean and what you want in the first two lines. Skip the compliments about the company and the long career story, a recruiter can already see your profile. If you want a reply, make it easy to say yes to a quick chat or a clear next step.
There are three moments when a message works best: right after you've applied, cold when you want to be considered for a role that isn't posted yet, and shortly after you've met the recruiter at an event or on a call. Each needs a different opening line but the same length, under 100 words, with no attachments and one clear ask. If you don't hear back, one follow-up after about a week is normal, not pushy, so log the date you wrote in the job application tracker and move on if there's still silence after that.
Message after you've applied
Send this within a day or two of submitting your application, while the posting is still open and your name is still fresh on the list. Find the recruiter's name on the job post or on the company's LinkedIn page, not a random talent lead with no connection to the role. Open with the exact job title and the date you applied, then say in one line why you fit.
A message that works reads something like this: 'Hi [Name], I applied for the [Job Title] role on [date] and wanted to flag my application directly. I've spent [X years] doing [specific, relevant work], and I'd welcome the chance to talk about how that fits the team. Thank you for your time.' Keep it to five sentences at most, and send it as a connection note if you're not yet connected, or a direct message if you are.
- Name the exact job title and the date you applied.
- Mention one concrete result or skill, not a list of adjectives.
- End with a simple ask: a short call or a few minutes of their time.
Cold message with no application yet
A cold message works when you want to be on a recruiter's radar for roles that haven't been posted, or for a team you'd like to join later. Look at what the recruiter actually hires for, not just their job title, by checking the roles they've recently posted or tagged. Mention something specific from their profile or their company's recent news, so the message doesn't read like one sent to fifty other people.
Try this: 'Hi [Name], I noticed you recruit for [team or function] at [Company]. I work in [field] and have [specific experience], and I'd like to be considered if a relevant role opens up. Would you be open to a short chat, or can I send my CV for your files?' Attach nothing at this stage; if they ask for it, send a CV written for that specific field rather than a generic one.
- Reference a specific team, project or recent hire, not just the company name.
- State the kind of role you want in one sentence.
- Offer a short call instead of asking them to read a long message.
Message after an event or a call
Send this within 48 hours of meeting someone at a careers fair, a conference, a webinar or a screening call, while the conversation is still specific in both your minds. Reference the exact thing you talked about: a question they asked, a detail about the team, or a session you both attended. This is the easiest message to get right because you already have a reason to write, so use it.
A natural version reads: 'Hi [Name], great to meet you at [event] on [date], especially the part about [specific detail]. I'm still interested in [role or team] and wanted to stay in touch. Happy to send my CV or have a short call whenever suits you.' If you haven't heard back after a week, one polite follow-up is fine, as covered in this guide on following up.
- Name the event, the date and one specific detail from the conversation.
- Reconnect within two days, before the meeting becomes generic in memory.
- Offer your CV or a call rather than asking an open-ended question.
Whichever moment you're in, keep the message under 100 words, open with the specific role or detail, and close with one clear ask. Send a single follow-up after about a week if you hear nothing, then move your attention to the next application. The template matters less than the specifics you put into it: the exact title, the exact date, the exact thing you talked about.
Put it into practice