messaging hiring manager on linkedin?
I need to get my dream job and it is currently open. I know who the hiring manager is - he is the director of the department. I know him through a mutual connection (the mutual connection did me a solid by telling me but we don't REALLY know each other). She said he is super sweet so I imagine I can reference her when I reach out.
My question is- I want to message him on linked in and let him know I applied but I am not sure what else to say that would be OK. I don't want to sound desperate or too strong. I need to stand out!!! I haven't had an interview yet or anything. HELP!
Lynne Cogan
Career Coach for Realizing Professional Dreams
871
08/19/20 at 5:52PM UTC
First, ask your contact if she's willing to make an introduction via a LinkedIn message.
Whether or not she does, take a good look at the manager's profile. You can reference any commonalities your have.
Also, if you have not researched the company do so to see what commonalities you have with it that might be a conversation starter.
If you mention the job you applied for, keep it in the same vein. You applied because you are excited (interested, care, etc.) about . . . the type of work, the mission, whatever the position means for you.
Kimberly PlaskettTransforming ordinary brands to extraordinary!
21
08/19/20 at 3:34PM UTC
I will add one additional piece of advice to anyone reaching out to a hiring manager on LinkedIn. If they are not shown with the job posting, please double-check a person's profile to make sure they're the right person before reaching out to them. I was contacted the other day by a young woman who was trying to apply to a communications manager role (didn't specify the company) but was having trouble with the company's website. She wanted my assistance and said she was really interested in speaking with me more about the position. I've been unemployed for two years, so I don't know if she was applying to my old company (i.e. did she do a LinkedIn people search for "marketing and company X" so I popped up) or if she mistook me for someone else. Either way, if she had checked my profile, she would have seen I wasn't the right person. I politely let her know, but it serves as a good reminder to always view your potential contact's profile first, just to be sure!
Elianet OlivaMake things happen!
282
08/19/20 at 3:25PM UTC
Totally Yes!! Look up Self Made Millennial videos on YouTube, she gives out a template email for this kind of situation that makes you come across not desperate but interested. I personally have used it, it has worked in some cases, some others it hasn't, but it depends who you are using it with, majority of the time I get a response, even if it is not the one I want to hear.
Aleyda DelaFuenteMaking things happen
167
08/19/20 at 3:14PM UTC
YES!!!
Lauren CastelluzzoA bicoastal creator of brand experiences
72
08/19/20 at 2:48PM UTC
I agree with the comments above. The short answer is yes! Curious if your mutual connection also works at the company or if she knows him/her another way? I would start with her and ask for an intro since she already told you something about him. You can even offer to write a short blurb that she can forward directly, and you can take the conversation from there. I would keep it short and sweet, but make sure to include your elevator pitch about what attracts you to the company and what you can offer. Good luck!!
Rebecca Lee VCredentialing Specialist
3.44k
08/19/20 at 2:42PM UTC
Not everyone checks their LinkedIn account on a daily basis. Mine is tied to my personal email and any notifications are delayed. I would ask your connection if she has a direct email or number. He is most likely to see your email before the LinkedIn email.
Debra SesholtzMarketing strategist driving results
854
08/19/20 at 1:24PM UTC
LinkedIn is just for this type of reaching out. If your contact doesn’t want to be involved at this point, I would reach out to the director for a networking opportunity, as already mentioned. Express your interest in the company. Ask if they are willing to discuss the company with you. You could outline some of what you can bring - based on what you know about the open role. Your first objective should be to see if the director is willing to network with you. You may get them to open up about the position during the conversation.
Christine Park No
72
08/18/20 at 8:15PM UTC
This is a great question! I had several opportunities to ask this same question both to friends who are in recruiting, as well as a career coach I had. The basic answer is this: Yes! This is what LinkedIn is for - to connect and network with people. With that being said, I know that while most people are willing to help (particularly if they are a recruiter), you want to make yourself stand out from the average Joe who will simply ask to be interviewed for the job. I have reached out several times to several different recruiters and have said that I am interested in learning more about the role and the culture of the company - did they have time to connect so that I could ask a few questions and learn more. I have never asked to be interviewed, or to be considered for the job. I was emphatically advised throughout my job search to reach out when I can, and to be honest, some people didn't respond at all. But there were a few really great ones that reached back out and told me they would be happy to connect and answer my questions. I came from the perspective of wanting to learn more from their expertise, not from the perspective of wanting to get a job. Because of that, I believe that more people were willing to speak with me than not.
Additionally, I would definitely reach out to your friend to ask for a referral or introduction! Networking is a skill, and I highly recommend taking some LinkedIn networking courses or reading some of the articles that are posted! Best of luck!
JYJ
6.67k
08/18/20 at 12:57PM UTC
You might find some pointers here: https://www.themuse.com/advice/coronavirus-job-search-email-templates?
User deleted comment on 08/18/20 at 12:55PM UTC
