Reaching Out to Candidates on LinkedIn
I’ve recently taken on a new role that focuses primarily on using LinkedIn to identify and connect with candidates. My goal is to schedule two calls per day with the hiring manager.
In my experience, I’ve noticed that candidates often take a considerable amount of time to respond to LinkedIn messages, whether they’re InMails or connection requests. I’ve even had instances where candidates reply a month after the initial outreach!
I’m looking for any tips, strategies, techniques, or useful web extensions/apps that could help improve response times.
Thank you in advance for your suggestions!
RCadmin
Absolutely, reaching out to candidates on LinkedIn can be a bit of a slow process, but there are definitely strategies to improve your response rate and streamline your recruitment efforts. Here are some tips and tools you might find useful:
Tips for Optimizing LinkedIn Outreach:
Personalization: Make sure to personalize your messages. Reference something specific from their profile, like a recent project or their expertise. This increases the chances of getting a response.
Clear Subject Line: If you’re using InMail, have a compelling subject line that captures interest. It should also convey the value or opportunity you’re presenting.
Short and Engaging Messages: Keep your initial outreach concise but engaging. Clearly state who you are, why you’re reaching out, and what’s in it for them.
Follow-Up: If you don’t get a response after a week, don’t hesitate to send a polite follow-up message. Sometimes candidates need a little nudge.
Timing: Send your messages when candidates might be more active, typically in the mornings or during lunch hours on weekdays.
Join Relevant Groups: Participate in LinkedIn groups related to the industry you’re recruiting for. Engage in conversations and build relationships before reaching out.
Use Referrals: If you have connections at the company where you’re looking to hire, don’t hesitate to leverage them. A referral can increase your credibility.
Tools and Extensions:
LinkedIn Recruiter: If you don’t have access already, consider using LinkedIn Recruiter, which offers more robust search filters and InMail options, helping you target potential candidates more effectively.
Connectify: This tool can help to automate some of your LinkedIn outreach and follow-ups, letting you set schedules for when to send messages.
Dux-Soup: This is a Chrome extension that automates LinkedIn actions and helps you connect with and message potential candidates more efficiently.
Hunter.io: If you need to find the email addresses of candidates who don’t respond on LinkedIn, Hunter can assist you in doing so.
Zapier: Automate workflows between LinkedIn and other apps. For instance, you can set reminders or updates for following up with candidates who haven’t responded.
Monitor and Adjust:
The key is persistence and personalization. It may take time, but over time you’ll see improvements in your outreach success. Good luck!