6 Message Scripts to Level Up Your LinkedIn Networking

Networking on LinkedIn can be a little tricky. How formal should you be? Who should you reach out to? What do you say to them?

Luckily, many of us have already been through the fire and discovered what works - and doesn't work - when it comes to networking on LinkedIn. Learn from the best, and use the exact scripts others have used to build and leverage their connections on LinkedIn.

What to say to someone on LinkedIn you've never met before

When reaching out to someone on LinkedIn, it's important to be professional and respectful. Start by introducing yourself and explaining why you're interested in connecting with them. Be clear about how you found them and why you think they would be a valuable connection.

If you have any common interests or connections, mention them. This can help establish a sense of rapport and make the conversation more personal.

If you have a specific reason for wanting to connect, such as asking for advice or seeking a job referral, be clear about what you're looking for. This can help the other person understand how they can be of help.

Finally, don't forget to emphasize what you can offer in return. Whether it's sharing your own expertise or offering to connect them with someone in your network, demonstrating your value can make the connection more meaningful.

You might also like my free prompts: How to email and hiring manager and recruiter

If you haven't connected with the person yet, you can connect with them and send them a message in the invitation. LinkedIn limits your message to 300 characters, so keep your message short and sweet. Here's some examples

"Hi [Name], I'm impressed by your experience in [specific skill/area]. I would love to connect. Thanks! [Your name]"

"Hi [Name], we are both connected to [Name] and work in [industry/function]. I would love to connect with you. Thank you, [Your Name]."

"Hi [Name], I would love to work at [Company Name]. Can we connect? I would love to ask you questions about your experience."

If you're already connected with them, then LinkedIn allows you to send messages back and forth privately. This gives you a chance to introduce yourself and start a conversation with more characters.

"Hello [Name],

I came across your profile while searching for professionals in [industry/field], and I was impressed by your experience in [specific skill/area]. I would love to connect and learn more about your work in this area.

I noticed that we both attended [same school or event] and I thought it would be great to connect with someone who shares similar interests.

If it's not too much trouble, I would appreciate any advice you could offer about [specific topic]. I'm currently exploring opportunities in this area and I would love to hear your perspective.

Thank you for your time and consideration, and I hope to connect with you soon.

Best regards, [Your name]"

How to ask a stranger on LinkedIn for a referral

Asking for a referral from a stranger on LinkedIn can be a bit tricky, but it's not impossible. Before reaching out to the person, make sure you do some research on their background and experience. This will help you understand their perspective and see if they would be a good fit for your referral request.

When reaching out to the person, make sure to personalize your message and explain why you're interested in connecting with them. Mention any commonalities or interests you have, and make it clear that you're not just sending a generic message.

When asking for a referral, be specific about what you're looking for and why you think they would be a good fit. Explain the position or industry you're interested in and why you think their experience could be valuable.

Finally, don't forget to emphasize what you can offer in return. Whether it's sharing your own expertise or offering to connect them with someone in your network, demonstrating your value can make the request more meaningful.

It's best to connect with the person on LinkedIn first. This gives you the opportunity to send a longer message, explaining your background.

"Hello [Name],

I came across your profile and was impressed by your background in [specific skill/industry]. I'm currently exploring opportunities in this field and I was wondering if you would be willing to refer me for [name of position] at [Name of Company]

I understand that we haven't worked together before, but I believe that my [X years of experience] experience and my skills in [list core skills] would be a valuable asset for the team.

If it's not too much trouble, I would appreciate any advice or guidance you could offer on how to get a referral. I'm happy to chat more about my background and experience, and I would love to help in any way I can.

Thank you for your time and consideration, and I hope to hear back from you soon.

Best regards, [Your name]"

Remember to personalize your message as much as you can. Mention common connections, skills, experience, and education. Find a way to connect with them as a way to build your credibility.

What to say to a recruiter on LinkedIn

Sometimes, the recruiters name and LinkedIn profile is listed on the job posting. You could send a brief message to the recruiter expressing your interest in the position and thanking them for considering your application. Here's an example:

"Hi [Recruiter's Name],

I recently applied for the [Position Title] role and wanted to express my enthusiasm for the opportunity. I appreciate your time in reviewing my application and would be happy to discuss my qualifications in more detail. Please let me know if there's anything else I can provide that would be helpful.

Thanks for your consideration.

Best regards,

[Your Name]"

What to say to a hiring manager on LinkedIn

Sometimes, with a little research, you can figure out who the hiring manager is on LinkedIn. It's not cordial to connect with a hiring manager while you've applied to a job. Many hiring managers may feel put on the spot becuase they like to have the recruiter be the buffer between them and the applicant. But, if you've found them, and you have LinkedIn Premium, you can use your InMail credits to send a message directly to the hiring manager.

"Hello [Hiring Manager's Name],

I recently submitted an application for the [Position Title] role and wanted to reach out to express my strong interest in the opportunity. I have [number of years] of experience in [industry/function] utilizing [list of common skills]. I am excited about the possibility of contributing my skills and experience to [Company Name] and making a positive impact.

If there is any additional information I can provide that would be helpful in the hiring process, please let me know. Thank you for your time and consideration.

Best regards,

[Your Name]"

It's not often that a hiring manager will respond to you, but they usually see your message, so it's always worth a shot.

How to ask for skills endorsements on LinkedIn.

It's important to ensure your skills are up to date on your LinkedIn profile, and having endorsements from other people increases your credibility. To get endorsements, you typically have to reach out to your network and ask for them.

"Hello [Connection's Name],

I hope you're doing well. I was wondering if you could provide me with an endorsement on LinkedIn for [specific skills]. I really enjoyed working with you and I think you have a great understanding of my skills after working together. Of course, I'd be happy to return the favor and provide endorsements for you as well.

Thank you for your time and consideration. Let me know if you have any questions.

Best regards,

[Your Name]"

You'll notice that the message asks them to endorse specific skills. This is so you can be particular about your personal brand. You want people to endorse the skills you want to be known for. If you're unsure of what skills you want to be endorsed for, you don't have to mention specific skills.

How to ask someone to write a LinkedIn recommendation.

When asking an existing connection for a recommendation, you always want to guide them. Ask them to mention specific skills and/or projects you've worked on together.

"Hello [Connection's Name],

I hope this message finds you well. I'm reaching out because I was wondering if you would be willing to write a recommendation for me on LinkedIn.

I really enjoyed working with you [or any other context where you collaborated with this person] and I think your recommendation would be a valuable addition to my profile. Your endorsement would not only showcase my skills and expertise but also increase my chances of landing future opportunities.

If you're willing, I can provide some sample language to make it easier for you to write the recommendation. I'd be happy to discuss further and answer any questions you may have.

Thank you for your time and consideration. Let me know if you're available to discuss further.

Best regards,

[Your Name]"

Of course, the message above is very formal. If you know the person well, you can make the message more informal.

Whenever you message someone on LinkedIn, it's imperative to personalize the message. This is a great way to build credibility and rapport to build relationships online.