Follow up emails
Informational interviews
Thank you emails
LinkedIn Messages
Other
"I'd like to add you to my professional network on LinkedIn."
Hmmmm. LinkedIn connection requests don’t get more *yawn* than this.
Generic LinkedIn requests get ignored. You’ll see much better results of acceptance by taking a few minutes to personalize the message. Make your first contact targeted, personal, and relevant!
Tips on crafting the perfect cold outreach Linkedin connection request
How did you find them?
Did they write an article, share interesting content, present a workshop, or do you have a peer in common? Let them know.
Establish common ground
Share something you have in common - perhaps a point in the article they wrote or a professional interest. This adds authenticity.
Why are you connecting?
Just ‘to connect’ doesn’t cut it. Be specific - do you want to ask professional advice, learn more about their work, or know about a product?
Get straight to the point
You’ve got a few seconds to grab their interest. A LinkedIn connection request should be more ‘instant messenger’ than email style. Stick to a few concise sentences with the points above and a closing phrase (eg: I’d love to keep in touch) and your name.
A few minutes of extra effort will pay off for your LinkedIn connection requests. You’ll see! Below are a few templates you can use.
Writing the Perfect LinkedIn Connection Requests (Templates Included!)
Subject: Interested in connecting
Hey Julia!
I came across a LinkedIn article you wrote on the fundamentals of product management. I really resonated with your thoughts on how data should be at the core of every product decision.
I'm in the product team at Resume Worded. I'd love to keep in touch and learn more about your work.
Rohan
Insight
This is a great template to use when asking someone to connect with you on LinkedIn, and has a far better response rate than the default "I'd like to add you to my professional network on LinkedIn."
Notice how the template refers to a specific idea the author wrote about and mentions why she wants to stay connected.
Found this template useful? Bookmark it and you'll never get stuck on an email again. Also, please share it with your network! It helps us keep these templates free.
Best LinkedIn message templates for connection requests
Subject: Would be great to stay connected
Dear Rohan,
It was great speaking to you at the Resume Worded Conference in NYC last week. Really enjoyed our conversation on your interests in architecture and how you got into product design. I'd definitely like to stay up-to-date on your career.
Thank you,
Leroy
Insight
This is also another message template when you are connecting with someone new on LinkedIn. In this case, this is a more personable template you can use if you have met the contact at an event or conference.
It also has a far better response rate than the default "I'd like to add you to my professional network on LinkedIn."
Notice how the template refers to a specific conversation he had with the contact and mentions why she wants to stay connected.
Found this template useful? Bookmark it and you'll never get stuck on an email again. Also, please share it with your network! It helps us keep these templates free.
LinkedIn Message Template to a potential recruiter
Subject: LinkedIn message
Hi Kimberly,
I read from your profile that you recruit for marketing roles in San Francisco. I'm currently a marketing analyst at Resume Worded and wanted to connect with you in case you think my profile might be a good fit for current or future roles you seek to fill.
Thanks!
Insight
This is a great template to use if you want to connect with a recruiter in an industry/area you want to work in!
Found this template useful? Bookmark it and you'll never get stuck on an email again. Also, please share it with your network! It helps us keep these templates free.
LinkedIn Message Template to someone in the same group
Subject: LinkedIn message
Hi Stephanie,
I came across your profile in the Consulting Group on LinkedIn. Your post recently about XYZ really resonated with me, so I thought I'd connect with you to keep in touch and maybe bounce ideas off each other at some point in the future!
All the best!
Bob
Insight
LinkedIn groups can also be a way to meet new people and grow your network. Here's a sample template you can send to someone in the same group as you.
Found this template useful? Bookmark it and you'll never get stuck on an email again. Also, please share it with your network! It helps us keep these templates free.
LinkedIn connection request to a recruiter
Subject: LinkedIn message
Hi Sophie,
I'm interested in [company] and your company culture. I'm also interested in learning more about your recruiting process. Would you be willing to chat with me briefly over the phone?
Thanks!
Insight
This is a simple, but very effective, connection request template you can use to connect with recruiters.
Found this template useful? Bookmark it and you'll never get stuck on an email again. Also, please share it with your network! It helps us keep these templates free.
Want more email templates?
Get actionable career insights
Every week, we scour the web and distill the most useful insights, resources and tactics into a short, weekly round-up.
No fluff. No noise. Just the most useful tactics you can use today to get ahead in your career. Join over 100,000 subscribers.
"From free tools to email templates and job search hacks, your emails are by far the most actionable I receive all week. Thanks again and I look forward to seeing next Thursday's insights." -Elisabeth C.
Get the job you deserve, faster.