15 LinkedIn Recruiter Message Templates (Copy and Paste)
When you message a recruiter, name the role, give one reason you fit and make one small, clear ask. Pick your situation below, fill in the role and company, and keep the message short enough to read on a phone.
15 of 15 recruiter message templates shown
- Apply follow-up · Job Seekers · Professional
Hi {firstName}, I applied for the {role} role at {company} and wanted to introduce myself. I bring {skill or result}. I would be glad to share more if helpful.
Why it works: Short, specific and gives the recruiter one reason to look.
EXAMPLEHi Dana, I applied for the Data Analyst role at Lumen Health and wanted to introduce myself. I bring 3 years of SQL and dashboard work in healthcare. I would be glad to share more if helpful.159 characters - Apply follow-up · Students · Friendly
Hi {firstName}, I just applied for the {role} internship at {company}. I am a {year} studying {major}, and {project or detail}. Thank you for considering my application!
Why it works: Gives context a recruiter can scan in seconds.
EXAMPLEHi Sam, I just applied for the marketing internship at Brightline. I am a junior studying communications, and I run our club's Instagram. Thank you for considering my application!169 characters - Apply follow-up · Job Seekers · Professional
Hi {firstName}, following up on my application for {role} ({job ID}). I am very interested in {company}'s work on {topic}. Is there anything else I can share?
Why it works: Including the job ID makes it easy to find your application.
EXAMPLEHi Alex, following up on my application for Product Designer (ID 4821). I am very interested in Brightline's work on accessibility. Is there anything else I can share?158 characters - Referral request · Job Seekers · Friendly
Hi {firstName}, I hope you are well. I am applying for the {role} role at {company}. Would you be comfortable referring me? I am happy to send my resume and a short summary to make it easy.
Why it works: Makes the ask clear and offers to do the work.
EXAMPLEHi Riley, I hope you are well. I am applying for the Backend Engineer role at Lumen. Would you be comfortable referring me? I am happy to send my resume and a short summary to make it easy.189 characters - Referral request · Tech · Professional
Hi {firstName}, I saw {company} is hiring a {role}. Given our time at {shared place}, would you be open to referring me or pointing me to the hiring manager? No worries if not.
Why it works: Reminds them of shared history and offers an easier alternative.
EXAMPLEHi Chris, I saw Fieldstone is hiring a Data Engineer. Given our time at Acme, would you be open to referring me or pointing me to the hiring manager? No worries if not.176 characters - Referral request · Students · Friendly
Hi {firstName}, fellow {school} alum here. I am applying for {role} at {company}. Could I ask you two quick questions about the team before I apply?
Why it works: Asks for information first; referrals often follow naturally.
EXAMPLEHi Taylor, fellow UT Austin alum here. I am applying for Analyst at Harbor Wealth. Could I ask you two quick questions about the team before I apply?148 characters - Informational interview · Job Seekers, Students · Friendly
Hi {firstName}, I am exploring a move into {field} and your path from {past role} stood out. Would you be open to a 15-minute call? I would love to hear what you wish you had known.
Why it works: A short, specific ask that respects their time.
EXAMPLEHi Jordan, I am exploring a move into UX research and your path from teaching stood out. Would you be open to a 15-minute call? I would love to hear what you wish you had known.181 characters - Informational interview · Healthcare · Professional
Hi {firstName}, I am a {role} interested in {specialty}. I would be grateful for 15 minutes of your time to learn how you made the transition.
Why it works: Clear purpose and a small ask.
EXAMPLEHi Pat, I am an ER nurse interested in nurse informatics. I would be grateful for 15 minutes of your time to learn how you made the transition.142 characters - Informational interview · Tech · Friendly
Hi {firstName}, I am curious how {company} approaches {topic}. If you have time for a quick call, I would love to learn from you, and I am happy to share what I have seen at {my company}.
Why it works: Offers something back, which makes the ask feel balanced.
EXAMPLEHi Casey, I am curious how Northwind approaches incident reviews. If you have time for a quick call, I would love to learn from you, and I am happy to share what I have seen at Acme.187 characters - Thank-you · Job Seekers · Professional
Hi {firstName}, thank you for speaking with me about the {role} role today. I enjoyed learning about {detail}, and I am even more excited about the opportunity. Please let me know if I can share anything else.
Why it works: A prompt, specific thank-you keeps you memorable.
EXAMPLEHi Dana, thank you for speaking with me about the Data Analyst role today. I enjoyed learning about your new data platform, and I am even more excited about the opportunity. Please let me know if I can share anything else.209 characters - Thank-you · Students · Friendly
Thanks so much for your time today, {firstName}! Your advice about {topic} was really helpful. I will keep you posted on how my search goes.
Why it works: Gratitude plus an update keeps the relationship going.
EXAMPLEThanks so much for your time today, Sam! Your advice about informational interviews was really helpful. I will keep you posted on how my search goes.140 characters - Thank-you · Job Seekers · Professional
Hi {firstName}, thank you for the referral to {company}. I submitted my application today and will let you know how it goes. I really appreciate your help.
Why it works: Closing the loop makes people happy to help again.
EXAMPLEHi Riley, thank you for the referral to Lumen. I submitted my application today and will let you know how it goes. I really appreciate your help.155 characters - Apply follow-up · Job Seekers · Bold
Hi {firstName}, I am excited about the {role} role at {company}. In my last role I {result}, and I would love to do the same for your team. Can we find 15 minutes to talk?
Why it works: Leads with a result and a direct ask.
EXAMPLEHi Morgan, I am excited about the Account Executive role at Brightline. In my last role I closed $1.2M in new ARR, and I would love to do the same for your team. Can we find 15 minutes to talk?171 characters - Referral request · Recruiters · Professional
Hi {firstName}, I am hiring a {role} at {company}. Do you know anyone who would be a great fit? I would value your recommendation.
Why it works: Recruiters asking for referrals get warmer candidates.
EXAMPLEHi Jamie, I am hiring a Product Manager at Lumen Health. Do you know anyone who would be a great fit? I would value your recommendation.130 characters - Informational interview · Finance · Professional
Hi {firstName}, I am a {role} considering a move into {field}. Would you have 15 minutes in the coming weeks to share how you made the switch?
Why it works: Concise and respectful for conservative industries.
EXAMPLEHi Robin, I am an accountant considering a move into FP&A. Would you have 15 minutes in the coming weeks to share how you made the switch?142 characters
How to personalize a template
- Name the exact role, plus the job ID if the posting has one.
- Give one specific reason you fit: a result, a skill or a credential.
- Ask for one thing only: a quick call, a referral or the next step.
- Thank anyone who helps, and let them know how it turned out.
Common mistakes
- Pasting your whole resume into the message.
- Asking about "any open role" instead of a specific one.
- Sending identical messages to several people at the same company.
- Following up every couple of days.
Frequently asked questions
Is it okay to message a recruiter on LinkedIn?
Yes, as long as you are specific and polite. Name the role and keep it short.
How do I ask for a referral?
Ask someone who knows your work, name the role, and offer to send your resume and a two-line summary so it is easy for them to pass along.
What is an informational interview?
A short conversation to learn about someone's job or company. It is not a job interview, so ask for advice rather than a job.
Should I follow up if the recruiter does not reply?
Once, after about a week, with one new detail such as a relevant project. If there is still no answer, move on to other roles and contacts.
Go further
Write one for your exact situation with the free Recruiter Message. Read How to Message a Recruiter on LinkedIn for the reasoning. Check how a message or post reads with the Post Preview, or browse the full template library.