How to Reach Out to Employers During a Job Search

I tested 𝟭𝟬𝟬+ 𝗻𝗲𝘁𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗺𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗮𝗴𝗲𝘀 (During my last job search and as a career coach). These 𝟱 get the highest response rates, especially from hiring managers👇 1. The Profile Viewer Message Check who viewed your LinkedIn profile. They’re already aware of you, don’t let that warm lead go cold. Try this: "Hey [Name], I noticed you stopped by my profile, appreciate you taking a look! Curious, was there something specific that caught your eye, or are you open to conversations around [industry/topic you're exploring]?" 👉 Tip: Warm > Cold. Always start with people who’ve already shown interest. 2. Acknowledge + Ask Find something unique about their background or a recent post, and ask a question. "Hi [Name], I saw your talk on [topic], your insight on [specific point] stuck with me. How did you land your current role at [Company]?" People love talking about themselves, especially when you show genuine interest. 3. Value First Offer a useful insight, article, or trend that aligns with their work. No ask, just value. "Hey [Name], I saw your post about [topic]. Just came across this article, it touches on a similar trend. Thought you might find it interesting." Position yourself as thoughtful, not transactional. 4. Mutual Connection Approach Bridge a real mutual connection or shared experience. "Hi [Name], I noticed we both worked with [Person] / went to [School] / worked in [Company or Industry]. I'd love to learn more about your path, especially how you made the transition to [Role/Company]." Relatability opens doors faster than credentials. 5. Compliment + Curiosity Start with a specific compliment, then open the door. "Hi [Name], really enjoyed your article on [topic], especially your point about [detail]. Are you open to connecting with people exploring similar roles in [industry]?" It’s respectful, direct, and makes it easy for them to respond. Reminder: You don’t need to spam 100 strangers. Start with 10 meaningful messages a week. Track responses. Iterate on what works. Focus on warm leads, shared interests, and genuine curiosity. What template would you like to see next? If you're ready to level up, let’s position you for the roles you actually want. ➕Follow Jaret André for more daily data job search tips.

If you're tirelessly sending out job applications and wondering why you're not getting interview calls, it's time to rethink your strategy. Here's a reality check: I applied for a role that was posted just yesterday, and the hiring manager revealed they had already received over 500 applications. Sounds daunting, right? But here's a twist: I didn't wait to be discovered in that massive pile. Instead, I took a proactive step that made all the difference. The game-changer? Connecting directly with the hiring manager and the most senior person in talent acquisition. Here's how you can do it too: Research and Connect: Use platforms like LinkedIn to find the hiring manager and senior talent acquisition personnel for the roles you're interested in. Don't just send a connection request; personalize it: Share briefly why you're reaching out and express genuine interest in the company and the role. Follow Up with Value: Once connected, send a follow-up message that makes it easy for them to see your potential fit. Example: "I have 15+ years of corporate social media experience for global brands and am ready to immediately help drive meaningful growth." Make Their Job Easy: In your communications, be clear, concise, and compelling. Help them see why you're worth a closer look. If this proactive approach helps even one job seeker break through the digital black hole of applications and land an interview, then it's a win. Remember, job hunting is not just about waiting to be found; it's about making yourself impossible to overlook. #OpenToWork #JobSearchTips #CareerAdvice #HiringNow

Another sign of how tough the job market is right now? So many people I know won’t even apply to jobs unless they have an internal reference or someone to make an intro for them. Jobs they’re not only qualified for—but genuinely excited about. 😖 And they’re not wrong, either. As I’ve been searching for my next full-time role, I’ve found myself doing the exact same thing. I’ll see an interesting job, and if I don’t know someone who works there, the first thing I do is check LinkedIn to see if I’m connected to anyone who can refer me to someone who does. If I can’t make the connection, I move on. I don’t even apply—to roles I’d crush. 😕 It’s not because I’m a quitter. It’s because when there are 1,500 applicants for VP or C-level roles, it feels almost impossible to stand out. And that’s incredibly depressing because it means: 1️⃣ Job seekers are too discouraged to even apply to roles they’d thrive in. 2️⃣ Companies are missing out on incredible talent because people feel like their resumes will disappear into a black hole. Lose-lose. 🫠 What can job seekers do in this reality when they find a job they’re a great fit for but don’t have a connection—besides skipping over opportunities they’d typically pursue? If you’re like me, you double down and reach out to *every corner* of your network: ➡️ Leverage 2nd-degree connections. Find someone in your network who can introduce you to an employee at the company. Many companies offer great incentives for referrals, so even folks who don’t know you personally may be happy to refer you. ➡️ Use LinkedIn’s “People” search feature. Identify employees at the company and send personalized connection requests. Mention the role you’re excited about, and ask if they’d be open to a quick chat about their experience there. Genuine curiosity can go a long way. ➡️ Reach out directly to the hiring manager. Send a note explaining why you’d be a great fit and what excites you about the role. As someone who’s hired for many positions, I can tell you that a thoughtful, personality-filled message that’s relevant to the role will absolutely stand out. 💡 The crappy reality is that in today’s market, your network really is everything—no matter how amazing you are at your job—so lean on it AND keep building it. (And while not the focus of this post, this also underscores the importance of building your personal brand—now more than ever.) Good luck out there, jobseekers. I feel your pain. This market is unlike anything else. 🫶

“How Do I Reach Out on LinkedIn So They Actually Respond?” It’s one of the most common questions I hear from job seekers and it’s a good one. Reaching out to someone in your target industry or company can be a powerful step, but the key is in the approach. Here are a few steps I recommend: 1️. Personalize your request Reference something specific—a post, shared interest, or mutual connection. 💬 Generic requests = generic results. Sample message: “Hi Jamie, I noticed your comment about leadership challenges during remote work transitions and that really resonated with me. I’m exploring opportunities in this space and would love a brief 15-minute conversation to learn more about your company’s approach. I value your insights and promise to keep it short.” 2️. No response? Don’t take it personally. 🔍 First, check their activity—many professionals aren’t on LinkedIn daily. ⏳ If they’re active, wait 5–7 days, then send one thoughtful follow-up with something of value (an article, insight, or relevant question). 🧭 If they’re inactive, consider reaching out to someone else in a similar role. 3️. Build the relationship first Comment on their posts. Share a resource. Engage before asking for a favor. ✨ LinkedIn is about quality conversations, not collecting contacts. What’s worked for you when reaching out to industry professionals? Any creative approaches you’ve tried? I’d love to hear them. Struggling with your outreach strategy? As a career coach, I’m always happy to help. Drop your biggest challenge in the comments and I’ll share personalized tips right here in the thread. You can also schedule a Free discovery call to discuss further, https://lnkd.in/dS3PggYB