Echoing the above, it is all about how you reach out. If you are able to establish connections in your "goal" company before you apply, that is most ideal. Think about (1) who are the HR recruiters you will need to speak with, (2) who will be your peers, (3) who will be your boss/your boss' boss - Build relationships with them. In this case, I'd say feel free to contact this individual, with the tone the other women here have suggested. Good luck!

I always recommend reaching out. Application systems can go through any number of people, and a direct outreach to a hiring manager is a way to make sure you don't get lost in the shuffle. It shows your initiative and excitement for the job as well.

I don't find it intrusive if you are really passionate about the job position and if you do it the right way. Go for it!

I think it's the former - a way to reinforce your enthusiasm and stand out against the crowd. Showing up at their door with a gift and a hard copy of your resume would be bothersome and intrusive. A friendly message that doesn't explicitly ask for a response is fine - and don't take it personally if you don't receive a response. Go for it!

I think it’s a great idea to contact the hiring manager on LI messaging after applying for a role. This highlights a few things 1) your interest in the role (be sure to include a brief summary on why you are interested in this role & the company) 2) your resourcefulness on finding their profile 3) your initiative in reaching out. Tip: keep the message brief while hitting the highlights as to why you are contacting them & remember to thank them for their time in reading your message. Good luck!

From my own experience, I say do it but do so tastefully or in a way that draws unique attention to you. As a manager, I often groan when candidates reach out because that's one more thing I have to deal with in my day, or one more candidate I have to respond to. So as the candidate, keep your energy light and short. If you're reaching out after you've spoken to them directly, then recall a joke, or something you have in common, or come up with a witty afterthought based on the conversation to remind the hiring manager who you are and in a way that makes them smile and WANT to reply back to you.

If you are focused with your ask and time it properly I don’t think it could hurt, it’s just another opportunity to put your name out there and try to get the attention your application deserves during the process. Best of luck!

Connecting with the hiring manager via LI helped me land my current job, so I say, go for it! Had I not connected to them via LI, my resume most likely wouldn't have landed in front of the recruiter and I wouldn't have a job right now. Oftentimes hiring managers are too busy to respond, but I strongly believe that with a nicely crafted message there's nothing to lose by reaching out.

I think it’s great—IF you aren’t asking for anything. A genuine BRIEF line about how much you love the company is optimal. I think that’s the sure win. Anything else is a gamble, as evidenced by the range of these answers.

I don't like doing it because I find it awkward, HOWEVER I often DO do it because several recruiter contacts of mine have said that it's a good tactic. If absolutely nothing else, it puts your name in the hiring manager's mind, and will give you at least a bit of their memory real estate. Be sure, however, that you're contacting the right/actual hiring manager OR the person to whom the position reports. It's better to be 100% sure rather than taking a shot in the dark.