Welcome to the Just Get Hired Newsletter!

Let’s be honest. If you’ve ever spent any time on Linkedin you know the average message someone sends you SUCKS. It’s impersonal, irrelevant, and transactional (help me get a job!).

Today I’ll be walking you through how to send WAY BETTER Linkedin DMs to grow your network, build meaningful professional connections, and potentially find your next opportunity.

At that the bottom, I’ll share examples of good and bad DMs.

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Let’s get into it.

Linkedin DMs

The size (and more importantly the quality) of your network determines how many career opportunites come to you.

One of the best, most effective ways to expand your network is through Linkedin.

Specifically, Linkedin DMs.

But most people send terrible DMs.

Here’s how to send better messages (whether outreaching to a recruiter, an expert in your space, or anyone else).

1) Do your research

Before you ever fire off a DM, you should know who the person is and why it’s worth talking to them (and them to you).

In this instance, it’s ok to do some stalking.

Look at:

• Their career journey / current job

• What type of content they post

• How they can help you

For example, maybe they are the hiring manager for a job opportunity. Or work at a company you want to learn more about. Or work in a role / career path that you’re interested in following.

Also, if they’re never on Linkedin, your success rate may be lower.

2) Lead with connection

If possible, you should be leading with connection -- anyting you have in common.

A former / current company, mutual connection, college, fraternity / sorority, other organizations, etc.

If you don’t have any of those, connect on where you’re similar -- do you have similar interests / passions?

You want to establish familiarity.

3) Be relevant

This is where you research comes in.

Your outreach needs to actually be relevant to them (what they do, current open roles, people they know).

Sounds obivious, but you’d be surprised how many messages I get about industries and roles that I am totally unfamiliar with.

It should be immediately obvious that you’re reaching out to THEM and not just copying and pasting some message.

4) Have a clear ask

You should make it very clear how they can help you if they so choose.

What you ask for should be simple:

• A short meeting

• An introduction to a colleague

• Answer a short question

And you don’t HAVE to ask for something extra.

Sometimes you can just connect for the future. Or simply share appreciation for what they’re doing / their career path and say you wanted to share that.

5) Make any next steps EASY

This is probably the most important component of getting in the DM process.

People are busy.

Whatever actions you want them to take should be as easy as possible.

Asking for a time to meet? Share a calendar booking link or ask for theirs.

Asking for an intro? Share a sentence they can copy / paste to send to them.

Asking a question? Make it something they can answer in 1-2 sentences.

6) Play a long-term game

Expanding your network can help in the short-term, but most benefits happen over a longer period of time.

Rather than trying to “get” as much as possible immediately, focus on connecting authentically and giving where you can.

The worst DM’s are typically something like “Hi I need help can you get me this job?”

I understand if you’re actively in the job search you want to jump straight to what you want.

But humans don’t work that way. Asking for something when you have no existing connection with someone is going to make them defensive and unlikely to help you.

Don’t just rush to ask for a job or referral.

And whenever possible, pay it forward or ask how you can be helpful.

7) Expect plenty of ghosting

The reality of any networking / cold DM strategy is that it will fail most of the time.

Even if you put together the absolute best DMs, most will still go unanswered.

This is why I recommend trying to build your network and outreach even when (in fact especially when) you already have a job or aren’t actively in the job market.

It takes time and can be way more frustrating when you feel like you need to get something out of it ASAP. Which leads to worse results.

Don’t get too wrapped up on any specific person needing to do anything for you.

Keep putting yourself out there and it don’t get discouraged if you don’t hear back.

Examples of BAD Linkedin DMs:

Examples of GOOD Linkedin DMs:

Here’s to sending better Linkedin DMs.

One of my personal goals in 2024 is to grow this newsletter. If you get value out of my content, you can help by sharing the link below and getting credit for referrals :)

I appreciate you in advance!

-Ben