How we do candidate outreach on LinkedIn (InMail templates included)

Over the years in recruiting, I’ve built my actionable flow for hiring the best tech talents. And I should say, there is no special magic in headhunting for top employees. You just showcase your brand, highlight the value, and interact with candidates politely.

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“Open communication is the key driver of passive candidate outreach.”

For the tech industry,  LinkedIn is a gold mine for quality candidates. However, reaching out to potential candidates on LinkedIn is tough. People who work online are exposed to tons of information. They probably don’t check personal direct messages regularly. Or they just don’t feel like talking to a stranger.

A short guidance to effective messaging

The art of initial communication with potential candidates is crucial. I try to stick to general candidate outreach guidelines that help me start a conversation on LinkedIn and keep it going. Here is my checklist of to-do things in our passive candidate outreach.

1. Personalized communication is key.

Tailor your messages to resonate with the individual professional backgrounds and interests of potential candidates. It takes more time, yet it significantly boosts chances to attract a top talent faster.

2. Showcase the value of your offer.

Besides giving a plain job description, illustrate what makes the position and the organization stand out. Refer to the candidate’s experience and your company goals to show the overlap where your interests meet.

3. Balance professionalism and warmth.

Your tone conveys as much as your words. The best strategy is to be sincere and honest with your target. To keep the conversation going, communicate in a friendly yet professional tone.

4. Add a clear call to action.

Be transparent about what you want from the potential candidate and suggest the next step. You should make the invitation easy to accept, whether it's a call or an interview.

5. Follow-ups are equally important.

A swift follow-up keeps the momentum going. You can add details about the role or answer the candidate’s queries. In any case, make sure you can nourish their interest.

Best InMail templates for candidates outreach on LinkedIn

As I’ve already mentioned, personalized outreach messages unlock straightforward communication. Before reaching out to a potential candidate, you’ve got to research their skills and background to know what probably hooks them. 

Next, all you have to do is leverage perfectly tailored candidate outreach messages that are clear and engaging.

Now I’ll show you a few examples of InMail candidate outreach templates that help us get through to the right person.

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1. Introduction template

Candidate outreach messages for LinkedIn should start with an engaging first message. Remember to make it personalized. End it up with an open question that would suggest an easy reply.

Dear [Candidate Name],

Greetings! Your expertise in [specific skill/experience] caught my eye. [Company Name] offers a superb role that might interest you. I think it fits perfectly with your professional background and experience.

Let’s discuss potential opportunities and what we can offer. Would you be available for a talk this week to discuss details?

Looking forward to your reply,

[Your Name]

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2. A career pitch template

You can include the job opportunities in the candidate outreach messages, and make them more actionable. For example, add a link to your calendar to pick a time for a call.

Hello [Candidate Name],

I am currently hiring for a [position] at [Company Name], and your professional profile caught my eye. Your skills and experience are impressive. I believe that you can be a great fit for this position.

Shall we discuss this opportunity further? Feel free to choose the convenient time for us to have a talk.

Looking forward to your reply,

[Your Name]

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3. A connection request template

You can make your candidate outreach messages more specific. Add a mention of the candidate’s former projects or your mutual connections. Here is an example of a LinkedIn connection request template:

Hi [Candidate Name],

I've been admiring your contributions to [industry] and impressed by your work over [project name]. I'd love to have you in my professional network to share news and insights. Also, I would like to know if you are open to new opportunities. Our team has a role that might be of interest to you. 

Would you like to discuss it further in chat or maybe a call?

Best,

[Your Name] | [Your Company Name]

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4. A job opportunity template

You can be even more specific about the job you are offering and discuss the details straight ahead.

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Hi [Candidate’s Name],

Your experience in [product area, SaaS platforms, mobile apps] caught my attention. At [Your Company Name], we’re building [type of product] to solve [problems or user pain points].

We’re looking for a [job title, such as Product Manager, Software Engineer, UX/UI Designer] who can [name responsibilities, for example lead cross-functional teams, prioritize features, deliver great user experiences]. Your track record of [specific achievements] makes you an ideal fit.

Does this sound like an exciting opportunity? I’d be happy to share more about the role and our vision. Let me know if you’d like to connect!

Best regards,

[Your Full Name] | [Your Job Title]

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5. A more creative pitch template

Here is a LinkedIn outreach hack from our recruiting team: if you want to make your message more catchy, sparkle it with some creativity. Remember we talked about being personal. Find a way to kick off a conversation with something that rings a bell to your hiring target. Here is an example.

Hi [Candidate’s First Name],

Is this somewhat familiar?

I came across your profile by chance, and it instantly reminded me of the kind of developer we’d love to have on our team. Your experience in [specific technology, JavaScript, React, Node.js] truly stands out. At [Your Company Name], we’re creating [product type], and are looking for passionate problem-solvers to join us.

We believe in clean code, robust systems, and pushing [technology] to its limits. If this sounds like the kind of work you do, let’s connect! I’d love to share more about our team and what we could offer.

Looking forward to hearing from you!

[Your Full Name] | [Your Job Title]

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6. A follow-up message template

In this InMail template, you can explain something further so as to spark continued interest in your potential hire.

Dear [Candidate Name],

I hope you're well. Following our first talk, I'd like to reconnect and hear your feedback. Do you have any thoughts or questions about the role at [Company Name]? I'm here to provide further information and clarity as needed.

I’m eager to move forward with our discussion. When is the best time for us to talk?

Kind regards,

[Your Name]

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7. Reconnecting template

Besides, consider sending outreach messages to past applicants when a new job opening matches the candidate's skills.

Hi [First Name], 

We’ve already talked when you applied for [Previous Vacancy] in [Month/Year]. It didn’t work out then, but we've kept you in mind for new opportunities. And now we have a role that might be a better fit for you. It is about [Position] at [Company Name]. 

Would you mind talking over the details with me?

Let's reconnect and discuss further on.

Best, 

[Your Name]

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8. Referral request template

You can try hiring indirectly by doing outreach and offering referral opportunities. Here’s an example of an InMail template asking for referrals to someone who’d fit in.

Hi [Candidate’s First Name],

I hope you’re doing well! I came across your profile and noticed we have common interests in [background/specific field/skill]. 

While you might not be actively looking, I wanted to reach out because we’re hiring for [specific job, such as Backend Engineer, Product Manager, UX/UI Designer] at [Your Company Name].

If you know anyone in your network who might be a great fit, I’d appreciate it if you could share this opportunity with them. Of course, if you’re interested in taking the role yourself, I’d love to connect and chat further!

Thanks in advance, and I’d be happy to provide more details if needed.

Best regards,

[Your Full Name] | [Your Job Title]

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Wrap up

Here they are! Use these InMail templates to reach out on LinkedIn and make sure to checklist them against the above guidelines. I am sure your lucky finds won’t keep you waiting long.

Remember that recruiting is a two-way street. It can be difficult to find and hire the most talented people. However, with the right strategies, you will build a lasting method to attract top talent faster.

If you are keen on learning how to attract the best candidates faster, read this guide to passive hiring.