LinkedIn is a good way to find your next job, but it’s unnerving when a complete stranger approaches you with an offer, and even more so when you try to decide if and how to reply.
To make the process easier, there are steps you can take with each LinkedIn job offer, whether it interests you or not. Here’s how to deal with recruiters, as well as responses you can use in different situations.
Research the Company for Insights and to Ensure It’s Legit
The first and most important step is making sure the recruiter is real and safe to interact with. Check for red flags of a fake LinkedIn profile, such as a picture that looks like a stock photo and incomplete or impersonal details.
Do a Google search of both the company and the recruiter. Explore any mention of them, from news reports to websites, and look for suspicious signs. Here’s how to spot a fake online retailer, for example.
While working out if they’re legitimate or not, you’re also picking up information about their identity, goals, and achievements. Once you’re sure that the recruiter and job offer are real, you can use the insights you collected in your LinkedIn reply.
How to Reply Quickly and Professionally If You’re Interested in the Job
Your research shouldn’t take more than a few hours. If you like the job offer, you should compile your notes and reply to the recruiter within a day or two to show that you’re keen.
Writing your response is another step that takes some thought, however. Microsoft Word’s business letter templates can help you structure your message, but what details you include is up to you and your background. Whatever you do, make sure your language is polite and friendly, but not too casual.
1. Thank the Recruiter and Mention Why You Admire the Hiring Company
After a simple greeting, show your appreciation for the job offer and your knowledge of the company—if the recruiter mentioned them. For example, you can start with:
Dear [recruiter’s name],
Thank you for reaching out with such an exciting job offer. I share [company name]’s passion for [interest] and admire their work in [specific project]. It would be a privilege to join the team.
If the recruiter won’t say who your prospective employer is—and you still believe the offer is legit, expand on your interest in the position before going straight to the next part of the message.
2. Summarize Why You’re Good for the Role
A recruiter will look at your LinkedIn profile and send you an offer for a role they’re trying to fill, but they might do the same for other candidates, so you still need to convince them that you really are the best person for the job.
Your reply on LinkedIn will set the mood for the rest of your interview, so treat it like a cover letter to land your dream job, which would include a concise paragraph on your suitability for the role. If the recruiter gave specifics, tailor your skillset to them. You could say something like:
Thanks to my time in [specific work history], I am well-equipped to take on the role of [job title] with [company name].
Even if a job description isn’t available, you should mention two or three key skills and experiences that the company might appreciate. You could go a step further and create a video resume to add to the message.
3. Choose Your Questions Carefully
Your reply on LinkedIn can make your conversation with the recruiter very productive, as long as you ask the right questions. Don’t overwhelm them, however. Just choose up to three things you’d like to know upfront that also demonstrate your professionalism.
Here are some questions to consider:
- What does the role involve?
- What kind of team would I be a part of?
- What is the company culture like?
- Will I be able to progress within the company?
You can gather more info later, but using your initial reply to pose smart questions gets the ball rolling and can give you a clearer idea of the position and work environment from the get-go.
4. Confirm You’re Ready to Talk Further
Close your LinkedIn message with a statement like this:
I am really thrilled to be considered for the role and hope to discuss it further. I’m available via phone or video call, too, if you prefer.
Your aim is to emphasize that you’re interested in the offer and happy to talk more about it over a channel that both you and the recruiter are comfortable with.
Reply Even If Unsure or Not Interested in the Job
If your first impulse when receiving a boring job offer on LinkedIn is to ignore it, consider changing your attitude. Making an effort to respond could open other doors in the future.
At the very least, look into the hiring company, if mentioned. You may like their brand enough to wait for a better opportunity to emerge. You may even find another vacancy on their website that’s more to your tastes. Or you could just stay in touch with the recruiter for new offers.
But how do you reject a job offer on LinkedIn without insulting anyone? Here’s a template to give you an idea:
Hi [recruiter’s name],
Your offer is an exciting one, and I’m grateful to be considered, but I’m not sure I’m a good enough candidate for the role to leave my current employment.
I admire [company name], however, and can see myself joining in the future. If any openings come up in [preferred job], I’d love to hear about them.
You can find me here or [other channels of communication]. I look forward to hearing from you.
Regards,
[your name]
If you don’t like the job or the employer, but you suspect the recruiter could send other opportunities your way, then structure your message with a thank you, a polite rejection, and a statement that you would be open to future offers.
There are many professional ways to express uncertainty or rejection and still have a good relationship with recruiters. All it takes is polite phrasing and a clear interest in staying connected. Explore template packs for office emails, and you’ll find that all exchanges between professionals benefit from such clarity and respect.
Develop a Strategy for Dealing With Job Offers on LinkedIn
If recruiters contact you often, and you do want to make the most of these opportunities, practice writing positive and negative replies, alone and with the help of templates. Keep your favorites on hand, so that you can quickly reply to LinkedIn messages in the most appropriate way. At the same time, don’t overlook the value of apps.
Reverse email lookups, for example, can help verify the identity of a recruiter or company. There are also browser extensions for spellchecking and auto-filling phrases you use frequently. Choose the best tools to streamline your research and communications.
