Top Tips for Communicating with Recruiters on LinkedIn

When you’re on the hunt for a job, liaising with recruiters can be a great method to land an interview and broaden the opportunities for job openings. Often, jobs are not posted publicly, they’re instead given to recruiters whose job it is to headhunt viable candidates that are fit for the job.


Recruiters are, however, busy people who have to sift through lots of messages to assess which ones are worth investing their time into; you’ve got to remember they’ve got targets to hit.

We want to make sure that you know the essential tips to communicate with recruiters on LinkedIn so that you can land the job of your dreams in a timely manner which is why we’ve put together this invaluable guide.

Understanding different types of recruiters

When communicating with recruiters, it’s important to know that there are two types of recruiters. We’ll explore them both.

Agency Recruiters

Agency recruiters are recruiters employed by an external staffing agency. Depending on the agency, the recruiter might specialise in hiring for a specific industry or a breadth of fields. Agency recruiters can be slightly more aggressive in their approach because they tend to be commission-based, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t great at their job and can be very useful.

In-House Recruiters

In-house recruiters are responsible for the internal hiring process of a single company. Because they are only involved with one company, they may be better suited to hiring for company culture and fit for the role.

How to create a professional relationship with a recruiter

The brilliant thing about creating relationships with recruiters is that frequently they will find you. Here are a few tips so that recruiters know where to find you.

Update your professional profiles

Making sure that your LinkedIn profile is up to date is a great way to grab the attention of recruiters because it gives the impression that you are more likely to respond to a message or connection request.  You can also adjust your settings so that you are visible to recruiters as open to work.

Comment on industry posts

Recruiters will have their finger on the pulse of industry voices, so if you want to be noticed by them, ensure that you’re piggybacking off the back of these voices. Lend your expertise to a post by commenting your insights.

We put together an entire blog based on improving your LinkedIn profile which you should make notes from to squeeze the most out of the platform.

The benefits of connecting with recruiters

Having connections to recruiters can help you to land a job quicker than looking by yourself. By using a recruiter, lots of the admin of job hunting is off your plate, leaving you to focus on your current role and your personal life.

As an employer, the benefits are much the same. Although the company will pay a fee, it clears your plate up to focus on your job rather than scouting for talent to hire.

How to message a recruiter on LinkedIn

Messaging a recruiter on LinkedIn is a really simple process that can reap incredible benefits.

Firstly, if the recruiter is internal, decide if you’d like to work for the company they work for by researching them on websites such as Glassdoor where employees and former employees can rate their experience working for that employer.

If it’s an external employer, do a little bit of research to assess what their CV to interview rate is, 50% is a minimum. As well as this, you can see if there are any testimonials on their website or their LinkedIn profile to attest to their skills of matching people with their perfect job.

The message you send to recruiters will differ depending on if you’re sending it to an internal recruiter because you will name the company specifically whereas you will ask an external recruiter to consider you for the roles that they have available.

Here’s an example of a message you might send if you were looking for entry-level positions after leaving university with a degree in accounting:

Dear [Recruiter’s Name],

I hope this message finds you well. My name is [Your Name], and I recently graduated with a degree in Accounting from [Your University].

I am actively seeking entry-level opportunities where I can apply my skills in financial analysis, budgeting, and auditing.

I would love to discuss any opportunities that are available and am open to any relevant positions. Attached is my CV for your consideration.

Thank you for your time, and I look forward to connecting.

Best regards,
[Your Name]

How to reply to a recruiter on LinkedIn

When a recruiter reaches out to you on LinkedIn, it’s important to respond in a way that reflects your professionalism and enthusiasm. Whether you’re interested in the opportunity they’re presenting or not, your response should be polite and appreciative.

Respond promptly

Time is of the essence in recruitment, so aim to reply within 24-48 hours. A prompt response shows that you’re professional and serious about your career.

Be courteous and thankful

Regardless of your interest in the role, thank the recruiter for considering you. Building positive relationships is crucial, even if this particular job isn’t the right fit.

Clarify your interest

If the role interests you, express your enthusiasm and ask for more details. If it doesn’t, politely explain why, but mention that you’d love to stay in touch for future opportunities.

Provide relevant information

If you’re interested, attach your updated CV, highlight relevant experiences, and ask any questions you might have about the role.

Maintain professionalism

Even if you’re declining the opportunity, do so in a way that leaves the door open for future communication.

Example of a response to a recruiter

Here’s an example of how you might reply to a recruiter who has reached out to you about a potential job opportunity:

Dear [Recruiter’s Name],

Thank you for reaching out and considering me for the [Job Title] position at [Company Name]. I appreciate the opportunity and the time you’ve taken to review my profile.

I’ve reviewed the job description, and I’m very interested in learning more about this opportunity. My background aligns well with the role, particularly my experience in [Mention Specific Skills or Experiences Relevant to the Role].

I would love to discuss this opportunity further and see how my skills and experiences could be a good fit. Please let me know a convenient time for a call or meeting.

Best regards,

[Your Name]

If you’re seeking a new career opportunity, head to our job search page to find our latest vacancies. We’d love for you to find your ideal job at SEFE.

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