For the complete conversation, use LinkedIn message examples, follow-up guidance and LinkedIn plus email sequences.
Recruiter LinkedIn outreach template
Get passive candidates to reply — specific role, genuine why-them, no spray-and-pray.
Passive candidates ignore generic recruiter blasts. This template proves you looked at their actual work, frames the role around their growth, and asks only for a low-stakes conversation.
When to use this template
- Sourcing passive candidates
- Reaching out about a specific open role
- Building a talent pipeline respectfully
The cadence — 3 steps
Send any weekday; lead with the role and the why-them.Fill these in
Replace each placeholder with details specific to the prospect.
[First name]The prospect's first name[specific project/skill]Personalize this for the prospect.[Company]The prospect's company name[role]The prospect's role or team[Your company]Your company name[outcome]The specific result you deliver[link]A link to a resource, calendar or case study[client]A relevant customer you have permission to name[metric]A documented result you have permission to cite; omit the proof clause if none exists[Your name]Your name (the sender)Why this template works
Asking for nothing makes the accept easy — you earn the conversation later.
Referencing their world signals you're not mass-connecting.
Conversational tone gets replies; corporate tone gets ignored.
Stays under LinkedIn's character cap so nothing gets truncated.
Tips to make it land
- 01Engage with one of their posts a day or two before you reach out.
- 02Never sell in the connection note — the accept is the only goal.
- 03Follow up after the accept with value, not an immediate pitch.
- 04Run LinkedIn and email together in one sequence so the touches reinforce each other.
Keep building your outreach
Recruiter Candidate Sequence
A respectful 4-step LinkedIn + email cadence that gets passive candidates to reply.
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