The Career Whispers

The Career Whispers

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The Career Whispers
The Career Whispers
What to say when you cold connect with a Hiring Manager on LinkedIn

What to say when you cold connect with a Hiring Manager on LinkedIn

After the Hiring Manager accepts your connection request, intrigue them to spark a conversation, then build momentum to cultivate a relationship. Then, make the ask.

Coach Erika Gemzer's avatar
Coach Erika Gemzer
Feb 08, 2023
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The Career Whispers
The Career Whispers
What to say when you cold connect with a Hiring Manager on LinkedIn
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In today’s issue, I’ll teach you how to send hiring managers a connection request (with a note they can’t refuse!)

…plus how to build momentum in conversation (without getting stonewalled or ghosted).

Networking with hiring managers before applying can tell you a lot about their working style (and whether the working relationship will work for you).

The hitch: hiring managers are busy, and getting their attention isn’t easy.

You have to do something that will make them stop and look at your request. My suggestions: intrigue them, or impress them.

If you can connect with them meaningfully before applying, you’ll have a chance to:

  • learn their style, early in the process (explore manager fit)

  • get valuable intel about the role outside of the hiring process (which can help you outperform in interviews)

  • "skip the line" and be in consideration for future and unposted roles

Let’s dive in.

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Before you click ‘Connect’ make sure you’ve engaged with them outside of this first contact.

I discussed the process of finding and engaging with hiring managers in Part 1 of this series: The Subtle Art of Networking with Hiring Managers. If you haven’t read that yet, please do! — here — before reading the rest of this post.

Once you’ve found some common ground and engaged them in their own (digital) turf, it’s time to give them an offer they can’t refuse.

STEP 1: Know the role you want at the company

  • go to the careers page and look for roles.

  • identify at least one role that’s a fit.

  • copy the URL to the job posting.

No open roles that fit?

Write a 2 sentence blurb about your dream role. Keep it to yourself for now. Be specific.

Start with what you have — your experience, what you bring to the table — then append what you want — the key aspects of your dream role.

An example:

"I'm a PM leader with experience in IOT, med devices, and patient care platforms. I'm looking for a role at <Company> that focuses on translating patient data into ML-powered novel care pathways."

STEP 2: Send a connection request (with a note)

Always, always add a note. Be direct and concise. Include:

  • your name

  • what you do (your current role)

  • your years of experience (YOE)

  • the role you want (link if you can)

  • why it's a fit (one to three reasons, not a laundry list)

  • an intriguing teaser, like ideas you have for the role (tip: make it impossible for them to click "no”)

An example:

Hi, I'm a PM leader with 14 years in healthtech. I'm looking for a role at <Company>. I saw this role: <role link or title>. I've built 3 platforms with patient-generated data like the one you’ve posted. I'd love to connect and share a few ideas I have for the product.

example connection request note that makes it hard to say “no”

STEP 3: Start with them.

After they click “Yes” to connect (because who could say no to that message?!)

Don’t wait for them to reach out to you.

Keep the conversation going by responding to them in a follow-on message. Make it about the research you’ve done about them (from Part 1 — here).

An example:

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