How to approach candidates on LinkedIn, personally and efficiently
How to approach candidates on LinkedIn, personally and efficiently: InMail versus connection requests, message templates, and a follow-up sequence that works.
Approach candidates from their perspective: who they are, why now, and which low-pressure question opens the conversation without asking for a CV straight away.
Want to approach candidates on LinkedIn effectively? The best approach is short, relevant, personal messages sent via InMail or a connection request. Use one clear structure, personalise smartly, and follow up with good timing. That's how you raise your response rate without extra work.
In this article you'll learn how to get more out of LinkedIn Recruiter, without generic AI text or endless manual effort.
Key tips at a glance
- Choose between InMail or a connection request based on your goal and message.
- Use compact, personal messages built around one hook.
- Always follow up, replies often only come after message 2 or 3.
- Work with templates and personalise with tools for speed and relevance.
- Use tools like Elvatix for scalable personalisation without losing your tone.
Why LinkedIn is THE channel for sourcing
LinkedIn is still the most popular channel for finding professional talent, especially for passive candidates who aren't actively job hunting themselves. Thanks to LinkedIn Recruiter (Lite or Seat), you can filter for relevant profiles quickly and message people directly.
But success comes down to how you approach someone. Recruiters who communicate too generically, or send the same message to everyone, get spotted fast. Candidates ignore messages like that, or report them as spam. Relevance and tone decide your success rate.
InMail or connection request: which works better?
Both methods have their place, it depends on your intent, your timing and your message. Here's a quick overview:
Message type: Connection request
Reach: Capped at 300 characters
Max length: Short and to the point
Average response: High (if well personalised)
Best used for: Low-pressure first contact
Message type: InMail
Reach: Wide reach via Recruiter Seat
Max length: Up to 2,000 characters
Average response: Moderate (depends on content)
Best used for: Detailed or targeted messages
Our tip: use connection requests for quick, informal openers to start the conversation. Use InMails when you need to give more context, or when you've already had an earlier point of contact.
Write a personal message right here
Enter a name or LinkedIn URL and get a personalised message within 30 seconds. No account needed.
A message that actually works on LinkedIn
How much personalisation is enough?
One personal line that shows you've actually looked at their profile often makes all the difference. Mention a recent job change, a shared connection, or something that stands out in their LinkedIn bio.
Watch out for generic AI text
AI can help you structure a message, but too many recruiters paste in stock phrases like "excellent experience" and "great background" in their InMails. It comes across as manufactured. Keep it human and to the point instead.
Template: how to structure your message
Greeting: Hi [first name]
Hook: Something specific that stands out on their profile
Why you: Why are you reaching out?
Proposal: What are you suggesting? (e.g. a quick chat)
Closing: A friendly closing line plus an open question
Examples: bad versus good InMail
Example 1 - generic:
Hi [name], I can see you have a strong background in IT. We're looking for people like you. Check out the vacancy via this link. Let me know if you're interested.
Example 2 - personal:
Hi Mark, your move last year from agency to in-house caught my eye, interesting choice. For a scale-up in Manchester, we're looking for exactly that kind of background. Fancy a quick call?
Forgetting to follow up is a waste
Plenty of recruiters send one message and stop there. But on average, more than half of all replies come at message 2 or 3. Follow-ups keep you visible and professional, without pushing.
A practical follow-up sequence
Day 1 - Start: First message via InMail or connection request (short and relevant)
Day 5: Hi [name], just wanted to follow up, no worries at all if it's not a fit!
Day 14: Your profile is such a strong match that I wanted to send one last note. No pressure at all on my end.
Set up once, personalise 25 times: how you save time
Our approach
We usually start with one core template. From there, we personalise one or two lines, often based on someone's latest post, a shared connection, or a recent career move.
The Elvatix workflow in 4 steps (10 minutes of work)
- Define your target audience in LinkedIn Recruiter (e.g. backend developers in Manchester).
- Write your core message or template.
- Let Elvatix automatically add profile context.
- Do a quick final check and send your messages.
When this saves an especially large amount of time
- You've found 30 relevant profiles and want to reach out to them today.
- You source for the same roles every week and want to pick up speed.
- You work in a team that reaches out to hundreds of profiles a week.
Common mistakes when approaching candidates on LinkedIn
1. Message is too long
A wall of text puts people off. Keep your InMail or connection request short and scannable. Aim for no more than 3 to 4 sentences for the personalised part.
2. Too impersonal or too polished
Avoid sounding like a sales pitch. Aim for genuine contact and use normal language. Better human than manufactured-professional.
3. Unclear what you actually want
Always state what you'd like the other person to do. A call? An open application? Get in touch by email? Make it explicit.
In short: sound like yourself, but work smarter
Approaching candidates authentically on LinkedIn doesn't have to take much time. With a solid base template, smart personalisation and tools like Elvatix, you work faster and better. That way you keep sounding like yourself, while scaling up your approach without losing quality.
Frequently asked questions
Both methods have their place, it depends on your intent, your timing and your message. Here's a quick overview: Message type: Connection request Reach: Capped at 300 characters Max length: Short and to the point Average response: High (if well personalised) Best used for: Low-pressure first contact Message type: InMail Reach: Wide reach via Recruiter Seat Max length: Up to 2,000 characters Average response: Moderate (depends on content) Best used for: Detailed or targeted messages Our tip: use
One personal line that shows you've actually looked at their profile often makes all the difference. Mention a recent job change, a shared connection, or something that stands out in their LinkedIn bio.
Proposal: What are you suggesting? (e.g. a quick chat) Closing: A friendly closing line plus an open question
Use connection requests for low-pressure first contact. Send an InMail when you need to explain more or give extra context. You get the best results by matching each one to your actual goal.
One line that ties into their profile is often enough. Think of a recent move or a shared interest. Keep the rest of your message short, clear and relevant.
We recommend a sequence of three messages, after 1, 7 and 14 days. Keep the tone friendly and give the other person room to say no.
Avoid stock phrases. Use the kind of language you'd use in a face-to-face conversation. Be direct, friendly and genuine.
LinkedIn Recruiter is a premium LinkedIn tool that lets recruiters search with precision. Seat gives full access, Lite is a more limited version. Both offer direct contact options via InMail or a connection request.
Write a personal message right here
Enter a name or LinkedIn URL and get a personalised message within 30 seconds. No account needed.
Start conversations without resistance?
Elvatix optimises the flow from opener to first question, so responding feels effortless for the candidate.
