Using LinkedIn to get a Leg Up
Hey guys,
Quick question here on LinkedIn etiquette. Desperately need help.
I found a job listing on a particular company's career section of their website and I am extremely interested in it. I basically want this position more than anything ever before. Its not the sexiest position but very much aligned with my career aspirations.
Anyways, I'm hesitant to just apply online and wait for a call back. I want to differentiate myself somehow to show my passion here. I found a number of contacts on LinkedIn that work in the department that I am applying to (ranging from junior to senior level) and I am wondering if its acceptable to message them to introduce myself and perhaps ask for a chance to speak via phone or over coffee.
Is this considered desperate or over the top? I want this really badly and I want to express that/establish some sort of leg up if possible. Unfortunately, I don't personally know anyone at the company. I'm also qualified with banking experience (which they ask for) so I'm not really wasting anyone's time, but I can see how messaging over LinkedIn could be taken as both good and bad.
Does anyone have advice for this? I have heard differing points of view on this but no consensus opinion. Has anyone tried? If so, how did you go about it and what kind of response did you get?
Thanks a lot guys.
This is pretty common practice and is known as "cold e-mailing," or I guess in your case it is "cold LinkedIn'ing." Just send a short, concise e-mail stating who you are (1-2 sentences), why you are reaching out to them (1-2 sentences, i.e. to discuss the job position you're interested in), and an action item for them to follow up on (i.e. schedule a time to talk, go out for coffee, review your resume, etc.). Emphasis on the "short and concise" - the more readable it is, the more likely they are to respond. Some people attach a resume when they cold-email, but I don't because I think it's a bit too forward/aggressive. I usually send it after talking to them on the phone/over coffee or whatever, assuming they've explicitly/implicitly shown interest in helping me out. Good luck!
It's not over the top, and something you should definitely do.
Iste suscipit recusandae est reiciendis at maiores. Harum iste laborum rerum eum et.
Incidunt officia omnis id. Voluptas sequi architecto deleniti omnis dolor cupiditate autem. Et quis tempora quasi. Quod in harum eos asperiores qui aut. Voluptas dicta ex maxime non est dolorum sunt dolorem. Odit doloribus fuga expedita.
Quam incidunt distinctio ad corrupti qui. Ea consequuntur tempore recusandae. Impedit omnis sint rem ut neque nobis ipsum.
See All Comments - 100% Free
WSO depends on everyone being able to pitch in when they know something. Unlock with your email and get bonus: 6 financial modeling lessons free ($199 value)
or Unlock with your social account...