How to write cold LinkedIn messages that'll get you hired

Hey! It's been a long time. Trust me, I've been itching to speak with you. My personal and work life have been a complete rollercoaster since I got back from Canada. But I’ve gotta confess, I’m loving it 😎.

So, what's been happening in October?

• Delivered a LinkedIn workshop for UNSW Business School

• Filled up all our coaching slots for this month

• Concluded my first ever mediation with my landlord

• Gave my website a complete makeover

Putting aside this shameless self-promotion, let's get into the topic of cold messaging. In today's newsletter, we'll cover:

1. Why you should use cold messaging in your job search.

2. How to write effective LinkedIn messages to hiring managers.

3. Some great examples.

Cold messaging is tricky. Firstly, you're reaching out to people you don't know, and then you’re not getting any visual feedback to fine tune your message.

But that doesn’t mean cold messaging doesn’t work.

In fact, it’s proven time and again to be very effective in connecting people with their role models, raising funds for startups, and even getting hired.

A well-crafted message to the right person can give you a significant advantage over those who simply submit resumes through job boards.

Who should these messages be directed to?

1) Someone who has hiring influence in the company

These individuals are usually 5-10 years ahead in their careers compared to you and hold roles that are relevant to the position you're seeking.

2) Someone with common ground

This could be a fellow university alumni, a person with a similar professional background, or someone who shares your interests.

For example, as an aspiring consultant looking to get into Deloitte, you should first run a LinkedIn search on senior managers and associate directors, and then review their profiles to select those who you’ve got something common with.

#1: Start by highlighting your connection

This is the first and the most important part of your message. You need to give your contact a reason to care quickly so that they actually pay attention to your message.

Reaching out to someone from your school, organisation, or common group is simple. These contacts have a high response rate when you start your message with who you are + what you’ve got in common with them.

For people who you don’t have much in common with, run a google search to read any interview they’ve given, blog they’ve written, event they’ve attended, and use that as a common point to start your message.

#2: Making a clear ask

Nobody sends messages like these for fun, and your reader knows that. Get to your point quickly and clarify what is it exactly that you are requesting them.

No matter what, refrain from using words like “job” and “referral” in your outreach message. Even though our intention behind this message is to secure a job, stating that upfront is too confronting for people.

Instead, you are reaching out to them because you’d like to get their insights to learn more about ‘product management careers within Tech space in Melbourne’ or whatever industry or sector they’re involved in.

Similarly, writing ‘please me know when we can have a chat’ forces them to exert mental energy and sort out logistical details.

Instead, make it easier for them by suggesting options when you could have the call.

“Can we have a 20 min chat sometime next Tuesday or Wednesday? If this doesn’t work, please tell me what suits you, and I’ll fit that into my schedule”

#3: Follow-up

No matter how great your message is, there’ll be people who won’t respond to you. They’ve got a lot going in their lives and can’t help you right now, and that’s completely ok.

However, there are also people who saw your message while they were in a meeting, playing with their kids, or watching Netflix, and thought they would get back to you, but forgot.

So I’d strongly recommend that you send 1 follow-up message 7 days after your initial attempt. That’s completely fine and normal. If you don’t hear anything on that, let this person be, and get in touch with someone else in the company.