Should You Message the Hiring Manager on LinkedIn? Here's How to Decide

In today's competitive job market, LinkedIn has become an essential tool for both job seekers and hiring managers. In fact, according to a recent LinkedIn survey, 87% of recruiters use LinkedIn to find candidates.

This means that if you're not active on LinkedIn, you're missing out on a huge opportunity to connect with potential employers. But what about messaging hiring managers directly? Is it a good idea?

The answer to that question is a bit more nuanced. There are some pros and cons to consider before you hit the "send" button.

Benefits of Messaging Hiring Managers

There are a few benefits to messaging hiring managers directly on LinkedIn. First, it can help you stand out from other candidates. When you take the initiative to reach out to a hiring manager, you show that you're genuinely interested in the position and that you're willing to go the extra mile.

Second, messaging hiring managers can help you learn more about the position and the company. By asking questions and expressing your interest, you can get a better sense of whether the job is a good fit for you.

Finally, messaging hiring managers can help you build relationships. Even if you don't get the job right away, staying in touch with hiring managers can help you get your foot in the door for future opportunities.

Benefit	How to Do It
Stand out from other candidates	Personalize your message and highlight your relevant skills and experience.
Learn more about the position and the company	Ask questions about the role, the team, and the company culture.
Build relationships	Stay in touch with hiring managers even if you don't get the job right away.

Drawbacks of Messaging Hiring Managers

There are also a few drawbacks to messaging hiring managers directly on LinkedIn. First, it can be time-consuming. It takes time to research hiring managers, write personalized messages, and follow up with them.

Second, messaging hiring managers can be intrusive. If you're not careful, you can come across as desperate or unprofessional.

Drawback	How to Avoid It
Time-consuming	Be strategic about who you message and keep your messages concise.
Intrusive	Be respectful of hiring managers' time and only message them if you have a genuine reason to do so.

How to decide if you should message a hiring manager

Whether or not you should message a hiring manager directly on LinkedIn depends on a number of factors. Here are a few things to consider:

The size of the company. If you're applying for a job at a small company, it's more likely that the hiring manager will be open to receiving messages from candidates. At larger companies, it's more likely that your message will get lost in the shuffle.

The level of the position. If you're applying for a lower-level position, it's more likely that the hiring manager will be open to receiving messages from candidates. For more senior positions, it's less likely that the hiring manager will have time to respond to individual messages.

Your relationship with the hiring manager. If you have a personal connection to the hiring manager, it's more likely that they will be open to receiving a message from you. If you don't have a personal connection, it's less likely that the hiring manager will respond to your message.

Ultimately, the decision of whether or not to message a hiring manager directly on LinkedIn is up to you. If you think it's a good opportunity to stand out from other candidates and learn more about the position, then go for it. Just be sure to do your research and be respectful of the hiring manager's time.

Should You Message the Hiring Manager on LinkedIn? Here's How to Decide