Respond to Recruiters on LinkedIn

You’re not actively looking for a job but, out of the blue, you receive a message from a recruiter asking to have a discussion about an opportunity they think would be a good fit. This is no longer a rare scenario as digital technology has allowed recruiters to find and reach candidates in a way that was never before possible. Recruiters often take time and effort to connect with candidates they think may be interested in an opportunity so it’s important to be polite and respond, even if you aren’t considering the role as a potential option.

A recruiter might contact you through a direct message or through a LinkedIn InMail (which is only available to people with upgraded premium accounts). It’s important that you keep in mind that the recruiter took the time to reach out to you and you should always be polite and considerate when responding.

Should You Respond to Recruiters on LinkedIn

Depending on the situation, your response could be as simple as “Thank you for reaching out but I am not currently open to considering a new position at this time.” Or it could be more formal and include details of how you aren’t a good fit or why you aren’t a good fit. In both cases, it is important to be specific and respectful.

How to Respond to Recruiters on LinkedIn

If you are considering the opportunity, it is recommended that you respond to the recruiter promptly and clearly state that you would like to schedule a call to discuss the role in more detail. This will avoid back and forth messages that are distracting and inefficient for both parties. It’s also a great idea to make the recruiter aware that you have reviewed their company profile and job description so that they can provide you with more detailed information about the role and what it will entail.

The dos and don’ts of responding to LinkedIn recruiters

You should also consider including a link to a Calendly or another scheduling tool in your message so that you can set up a call at a convenient time for both parties. This will help you avoid sending multiple messages that can get lost in the recruiter’s inbox and avoid having to reply to multiple emails.

Tips for making the most of LinkedIn recruiter outreach

When you do decide to take up a new role, it’s a good idea that you reach out to the recruiter to let them know that you’ve made the decision and thank them for their efforts in assisting you with your search. This will show that you are a professional and respectful candidate and will help to improve your relationship with the recruiter in the future. This will also make them more likely to keep you in mind for any future opportunities. In fact, LinkedIn’s algorithm actually penalizes candidates who do not respond to recruiters by lowering their profiles in searches so that recruiters don’t waste time on people who are unlikely to be interested.