# How to message a recruiter: templates for LinkedIn and email

> Messages to recruiters that get answered: who to write to, what to include, and templates for following an application, a cold approach and an inbound note.

- Canonical URL: https://jobbie.bot/blog/how-to-message-a-recruiter
- Topic: [Job search](https://jobbie.bot/guides/job-search)
- Published by [Jobbie](https://jobbie.bot/) · Updated 2026-10-06 · 8 min read

Message a recruiter in three or four sentences: the role you mean, two or three facts that show you fit it, and one clear request. Name the job title and the job ID if there is one, attach or link your resume, and make the next step easy, such as a short call.

The same structure works after you apply, when you write cold, and when you answer a recruiter who found you. Only the opening line changes. There is a template for each case below.

## Key takeaways

- Be specific about the role. Recruiters handle many openings at once, and a title and job ID tell them where you belong.
- Lead with fit, not need: two or three facts matched to the posting.
- On LinkedIn, a free account can directly message only its connections. A note on a connection request is limited to 200 characters, and to three requests a month without Premium.
- If there is no reply, send one follow-up after about a week and a last one a week after that.
- When a recruiter contacts you first, check who they are before you share personal details, then reply promptly whether or not you are interested.

## Before you write: which recruiter, which channel

**In-house recruiters** work for the employer and fill its own openings. Write to them about a specific role at that company.

**Agency recruiters** work for staffing or search firms and fill roles for several client employers. Write to them about your profile and the kind of role you want. A reputable placement firm is normally paid by the hiring company, not by the candidate.

To find the right person, check the posting for a named contact, then search LinkedIn for the company name with “recruiter” or “talent acquisition.” Pick one person. The same note sent to five recruiters at one company reads as spam.

| Channel | What limits it | Best use |
| --- | --- | --- |
| LinkedIn connection request with a note | 200 characters, and three notes a month on a free account | A first contact with a recruiter you are not connected to |
| LinkedIn message | Free accounts can directly message connections only | The fuller version, once they accept |
| LinkedIn InMail | A Premium feature, with a set number of credits | Reaching someone you are not connected to |
| Email | You need the address | Anything with an attachment, and any recruiter whose address is on the posting |

If the posting gives an email address, use it. [How to email a resume](https://jobbie.bot/blog/how-to-email-a-resume) covers subject lines and file names.

## What every recruiter message needs

1. **Context.** The job title, the job ID and where you saw it, or how you found the recruiter.
2. **Fit.** Two or three facts that mirror the posting: years in the field, a core skill, a result, your location or work authorization.
3. **One request.** A short call, confirmation that your application arrived, or a pointer to the right person.
4. **Logistics.** Your resume, a phone number, and when you are free.

Aim for 100 words or fewer on LinkedIn and 150 by email. Spell the recruiter’s name correctly, and leave out your life story and anything negative about your current employer.

## Templates for after you apply

A message sent on the day you apply puts a name to one application among many. It does not replace the application: apply first.

```LinkedIn connection note after applying (under 200 characters)
Hi [Name], I just applied for the [job title] role (ID [number]). [Number] years in [field], most recently [relevant fact]. Happy to share more if useful.
```

```Email or LinkedIn message after applying
Subject: [Job title] application, [job ID]: [Your name]

Hi [Name],

I applied today for the [job title] role in [team or location] and wanted to introduce myself.

Three things that match the posting:
- [Requirement 1]: [your evidence in a few words]
- [Requirement 2]: [your evidence]
- [Requirement 3]: [your evidence]

My resume is attached. I'm based in [city] and free to talk [days or times]. Would any other details be useful?

Thank you,
[Your name]
[Phone] | [LinkedIn URL]
```

## Templates for cold outreach

Cold messages work best when they are narrow. Say what you do, why this company or this recruiter, and ask one question that is easy to answer.

```Cold message to a recruiter at a company you want to join
Subject: [Your job title] interested in [company]

Hi [Name],

I'm a [job title] with [number] years in [field], most recently [one result or responsibility]. I've followed [company] because [specific, true reason].

I don't see an open role that fits today. Are you the right person to ask about hiring on the [team or function] team, or could you point me to who is? My resume is attached in case it's useful.

Thank you,
[Your name]
```

```Message to an agency recruiter in your field
Hi [Name],

I see that you place [type of role] in [industry or region]. I'm a [job title] with [number] years in [specialty], looking for [permanent / contract] roles in [location or remote] from [date].

Target titles: [title 1], [title 2]. Salary range: [range]. Resume attached.

Do you have 15 minutes this week to see whether I fit anything you're working on?

Thanks,
[Your name]
```

Recruiters also search for candidates themselves. Making your profile easy to find is covered in [how to get recruiters to find you](https://jobbie.bot/blog/how-to-get-recruiters-to-notice-you).

## Replying to a recruiter who contacted you

Check first, reply second. Fake recruiters use the same channels as real ones, so a well-known company name in a message is not proof of anything. Look at the sender’s profile and email domain, look the role up on the company’s careers page, and search the recruiter’s or company’s name with the word “scam” or “complaint.” The full checklist is in the guide to [job scams](https://jobbie.bot/blog/job-search-scams).

Then answer within a day or two, even if the answer is no.

```Reply when you are interested
Hi [Name],

Thank you for getting in touch. The [job title] role looks like a good match for my background in [relevant area].

Could you send the full job description, the salary range and the work location? I'm free for a call [two or three time slots].

Best,
[Your name]
```

```Reply when the role is not right
Hi [Name],

Thank you for thinking of me. This one isn't the right fit because of [level / location / focus].

I'd be glad to hear about [the kind of role you want] roles in [location or remote], so please keep me in mind.

Best,
[Your name]
```

If the recruiter asks for your salary expectations before sharing a range, [how to answer salary expectations](https://jobbie.bot/blog/salary-expectations) has scripts. The first call is usually a short screen, and [phone interview tips](https://jobbie.bot/blog/phone-interview-tips) explains what it covers.

## How and when to follow up

| Situation | When | What to send |
| --- | --- | --- |
| No reply to your first message | After five to seven business days | Two lines, with one new fact |
| A date the recruiter gave you has passed | The next business day | A short check-in that refers to the date |
| Still no reply | One week after your follow-up | A final note. Then move on |

```Follow-up when a recruiter has not replied
Hi [Name],

I'm following up on my note about the [job title] role. Since I wrote, [one new fact: a finished certification, a relevant result, updated availability].

I'm still very interested. Is there a good time for a short call, or someone else I should contact?

Thanks,
[Your name]
```

Two follow-ups are enough. Silence after that is an answer for now, not a judgment of you, and your time is better spent on the next application. For following up through other routes, see [following up on a job application](https://jobbie.bot/blog/job-application-follow-up).

## Mistakes that get messages ignored

- **No role named.** “I’m open to opportunities” gives the recruiter nothing to act on.
- **Asking them to find you a job.** In-house recruiters fill their employer’s openings. Point to one.
- **A wall of text.** If it does not fit on a phone screen, cut it.
- **No resume or profile link.** Do not make them ask.
- **Repeated nudges.** Two follow-ups are the limit.
- **Oversharing.** Never send bank details, ID photos or a Social Security number by message.

## Frequently asked questions

### What should I say in a message to a recruiter?

Name the specific role, give two or three facts that show you fit it, and make one clear request, such as a short call. Attach or link your resume and say when you are available. Keep it to about 100 words on LinkedIn or 150 by email.

### Is it OK to message a recruiter after applying?

Yes, once. A short note on the day you apply, naming the role and your two or three strongest matches, helps a recruiter connect your name to the application. It does not replace applying, and it should not be followed by daily reminders.

### Can I message a recruiter on LinkedIn without Premium?

Yes, with limits. A free account can directly message only its connections, so send a connection request with a note. LinkedIn allows a note of up to 200 characters on up to three requests a month without Premium. Once the recruiter accepts, you can send a longer message. InMail to people you are not connected to is a Premium feature.

### How long should I wait before following up with a recruiter?

Wait five to seven business days after your first message, then send a brief follow-up with one new piece of information. If there is still no answer after another week, send a final note and move on. If the recruiter gave you a date, wait until the day after it.

### How do I reply to a recruiter if I’m not interested?

Thank them, say briefly why the role is not a fit, and tell them what kind of role you would consider. A polite reply takes a minute and keeps you on their list for a better match later.

### How can I tell whether a recruiter is real?

Check that their email domain matches the company, that their profile shows a history with that employer or agency, and that the role is listed on the company’s careers page. No honest employer charges you for a job, so treat any request for a fee as a scam, and do not send bank details or ID photos to anyone you have not verified.

## Sources

- [LinkedIn Help: InMail Messages](https://www.linkedin.com/help/linkedin/answer/a543895): who can send InMail, and the rule that free accounts can directly message only connections.
- [LinkedIn Help: Personalize invitations to connect](https://www.linkedin.com/help/linkedin/answer/a563153): the 200-character limit and the monthly limit on notes added to connection requests.
- [FTC: Job Scams](https://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/job-scams): how scammers advertise jobs, how to check an offer, and who pays placement firms.