Recruiters reply to messages that are short, specific to one role and easy to act on. Name the job, give one result that matches it, include a link that proves it, and ask for one clear next step. If there's no answer, follow up once, a few business days later, with something new.
Why most messages get no reply
- Too long. A recruiter reading on a phone won't scroll through your career.
- Generic. "I'm passionate about new opportunities" could be from anyone.
- No role named. They can't place you without the job title or ID.
- Attachments from a stranger. Often never opened, especially on a phone.
- No question. A message without an ask doesn't need an answer.
What a reply-worthy message includes
- The exact role: the title, and the job ID or link if there is one.
- One result that matches it: the single achievement closest to what the posting asks for.
- A link to your proof: a page with your results and a short video opens on any phone. (What to send instead of a resume)
- One easy question: something they can answer yes or no.
A template you can adapt
"Hi Sam, I applied for the Customer Success Manager role (ID 4521). In my current role I took over our largest accounts and kept every one of them through renewal. Here's a one-page overview with a 60-second intro: [your link]. Would a 15-minute call this week be useful?"
Swap in your own role and your own result. Keep it to four or five sentences.
When and how to follow up
Follow up once, three to five business days later, and add something new: another relevant result, a short answer to a question in the posting, or your intro video. If two follow-ups go unanswered, stop, and contact the hiring manager or move to the next role. (How to get noticed by a hiring manager)
Know when they've looked
If your link is a tracked pitch page, you can see when it was opened. That is a better moment to follow up than a guess.
FAQ
- How long should a message to a recruiter be?
- Short enough to read on a phone without scrolling: four or five sentences.
- Should I attach my resume to a message?
- Attach it if they asked for it. Otherwise send a link to a page: it opens anywhere, and you can see when it's viewed.
- How many times should I follow up with a recruiter?
- Once or twice, three to five business days apart, each time adding something new. Then move on.
- Is it OK to message a recruiter on LinkedIn?
- Yes. Keep it to the role, one matching result, your link and one question.
Keep reading
See how view tracking works
Know when your link was opened, so you follow up at the right moment instead of guessing.
See how view tracking works