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A recruiter messaged you on LinkedIn - What next?

Demand for skills in the digital and tech sectors is still healthy despite the current climate of uncertainty. People with experience in these areas are still very much sought after and largely in control of their careers - even if they need to work from home now.

Many companies attract tech talent through employer branding, benefits and attractive company cultures. But recruiters and hiring managers also use LinkedIn to reach out directly to individuals.

If one of them messages you, here’s what you need to know.

How recruiters use LinkedIn

LinkedIn has become a key tool for recruiters at both agencies and companies. They often use InMail to send private messages to people who fit the requirements of a role.

If you’re a talented individual, you’re likely to receive some messages - even if your network of connections is small. But this doesn’t necessarily mean you’re a shoo-in for the role. It simply means your profile caught a recruiter’s eye.

Recruiters will want to screen you before sending your CV to a client. Usually, they’ll start off with a call to assess if you’re truly a good fit in terms of culture, expertise and experience.

It’s a good thing!

Receiving messages from recruiters and companies indicates that you have in-demand skills and your LinkedIn profile is strong.

If you’re not actively seeking a new role, these messages may seem like spam. But they’re actually an opportunity to build connections with recruiters who could help you in the future, so don’t be too quick to cut ties.

How to reply to a LinkedIn recruiter message

Whether you’re interested in the role or not, first impressions are important. So reply promptly and politely.

Even though LinkedIn is a social media platform, you should be professional in your response. Keep the emojis to a minimum and avoid LinkedIn’s auto-suggested responses.

When replying, be direct, be honest and don’t be afraid to stand out.

  • If you’re interested: Share details on why it sounds like the right opportunity for you and mention some relevant experience. Be proactive by highlighting the areas you’d like to find out more about and suggesting a time to have a call.
  • If you’re unsure: If you don’t think the role is suitable but you’re reluctant to let the opportunity pass without further investigation, explain this to the recruiter. Request more information or arrange a call. If you’re interested in the company, but not the role, just say so. If you’re in the dark about the company’s reputation, just ask.
  • If you’re happy in your current role: Tell the recruiter; there’s no need to explain further. However, keep your future career plans in mind when responding. You could suggest when they should reach out again. Or perhaps, you could communicate your dream role. Then, if ever crosses their desk, you’ll hear about it without lifting a finger.

Reasons to reply - even if you’re not interested

Professional recruiters value privacy and confidentiality, so there’s no harm in having an open conversation with one.

This also allows you to build your network and take advantage of their expertise. They’ll be up-to-date on the latest trends and salaries in your industry.

The chances are you’ll be looking to make a career move at some point in the future. Let them know what you’re on the lookout for so they can contact you when a suitable opportunity arises.

At Prosperity, our recruiters have developed a database of over 55,000 digital candidates. Each profile notes exactly what they’re looking for.

How to increase interest in LinkedIn

Recruiters can access their own unique version of LinkedIn which lets them search for candidates by job title, keyword or location.

If no relevant opportunities are coming in, you could try optimising your LinkedIn and adding keywords related to your dream role.

Following companies that are hiring and being active on LinkedIn means you’re more likely to get noticed. Or, alternatively, you can simply update your settings to let recruiters know that you’re interested in hearing about open roles. You’ll see this option at the top of your profile.

Contact Prosperity

At Prosperity, our recruiters endeavour to match professionals with their perfect role!

Why not turn the tables and send a message to our team? Ask for advice or get your CV added to our candidate database

 

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