How to Find and Contact a Recruiter on LinkedIn

Updated 1/10/23

Searching for a job on LinkedIn? Using a recruiter can be an effective way to help you find your dream role. Making contact with a recruiter as a follow up after you’ve already submitted your resume for a position can set you apart from other applicants. But how do you find them, and what’s the most appropriate way to reach out? Here are a few tips to help you find and contact a recruiter on LinkedIn and get one step closer to your ideal job.

Preparing Your Profile

Before contacting a recruiter for your industry on LinkedIn, you want to make sure you have an impressive and optimized profile:

  1. Make sure your headline is an actual job title (either the job title you currently have, or the job title you are seeking). 

  2. Be sure you have an “About” section. Both recruiters and potential employers need to be able to determine what roles you can fill. Ideally this should be written in first person; resumes are in third person.

  3. There should be relevant keywords in your “About” section. This helps attract recruiters to your profile. 

  4. Make sure your profile is complete.

  5. Make sure your photo is professional and recent. A professionally taken headshot is ideal, but a simple shot of you from the chest up, against a plain background, works as well. Avoid ones that are obviously cropping out other people.

Engaging for Increased Exposure

The most important thing you can do on LinkedIn as a job seeker is to make sure you are actively ENGAGING on the platform. The LinkedIn algorithm has the power to suppress or elevate profiles based on engagement. So once your profile is optimized and at All-Star status, use these methods for engaging with others:

  1. Put a like on interesting posts.

  2. Write an insightful comment of at least one full sentence on posts from other profiles.

  3. Like your own comments.

  4. Like and reply to other meaningful comments.

  5. Share posts that are related to your business or industry.

  6. Post your own original content.

Engagement on LinkedIn needs to be consistent and meaningful, and all of the actions above boost the LinkedIn algorithm in your favor. Want to know if you’re staying on track? You can monitor your daily activity via “Profile Views.”

In summary: if you want to get something out of this platform, you need to put something in first.

Using LinkedIn Search

Using LinkedIn Search to reach out to recruiters is actually fairly easy: 

  1. Go to the LinkedIn search bar, and type “recruiters”.

  2. Search by location, and industry (IT, Marketing, etc.). Click “all filters” to locate any options you don’t see in the top toolbar. 

  3. Once you’ve located recruiters you’d like to reach out to from the search results, send a personalized request to connect. 

Connecting with a Recruiter

When sending your message, be sure to include why you’re hoping to connect and the type of role you’re currently looking to find. A few tips for messaging success: 

  • Send a resume letter.

  • Include your contact information, even if it’s visible on your profile. 

  • Be very polite.

  • Don’t be discouraged if they don’t respond. Many recruiters get overwhelmed with messages, and they’re under no obligation to answer. 

An alternative method for reaching out would be to try and email recruiters directly. Sometimes they will have their email address listed with the contact information on their profile.  Other times, you may be able to figure out the recruiter’s email address, by searching for another employee at their company, and using their listed email address to figure out the formula for the company (i.e. first name.last name @ company). The same rules for professionalism apply when sending a message directly to a recruiter’s email inbox. 

Even if your contact with a LinkedIn recruiter doesn't immediately result in a job placement, be sure to maximize the connection and stay on their radar, with an occasional short note to let them know you’re still in the job market. Need more on-one-one help with your search? Find out how our career coaching services can benefit you.

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