Instead, if you ask to discuss the company, the industry itself or your contact’s career path and current position, it feels more like a request for a conversation, not a job interview.ĥ) Maintain control of follow-up – This helps close the gap of time it may take to get back to you. However, don’t ask for a job specifically - you may scare off your contact, who may have nothing to do with hiring. It will maximize your chances of getting your message read.Ĥ) Tell them why you’d like to connect – Be specific about why you’d like to connect so they don’t think you are out just trying to add connections. Someone who receives a short, tailored message is more likely to respond – plus, a LinkedIn invitation has a 300-character limit!ģ) State connection first – By mentioning your connection first, it gives the recipient a reason to care.

Reaching out to a stranger can sometimes feel daunting, so here are five tips for writing a good 'connect' email:ġ) Include your photo – People respond more readily to a smiling face than compared to a bunch of words, so be sure you have a photo on your profile – a smiling headshot containing no other people.Ģ) Keep it brief – Be to the point with the message. Then you contact them and request a career chat - also known as an informational interview - to learn more about their job, their career path, and what advice they might have for you.

It's actually pretty simple: you use your LinkedIn contacts to find people working in careers that interest you. One of the best uses of LinkedIn is for exploring careers.

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