We continue our series on how to use LinkedIn for Recruitment with an article dedicated to Networking. We will cover how you can use Networking to find the best talent and also give you some ideas on how to grow your number of connections.
LinkedIn Networking Basics
What is it?
As you probably know already, LinkedIn is the largest talent platform. One of the key functionalities LinkedIn offers is the Networking option. You can connect with people from various industries, check their experience, and connect with their connections.
The Benefits of Using LinkedIn Networking for Recruitment
There are a couple of benefits of investing in creating a larger LinkedIn Network that will also impact your recruitment process.
Some that you might consider are:
- You get access to 740 million members – a pool of potential candidates for your open roles
- You can use your connections to introduce you to their connections and create a snowball effect that will lead to reaching more people
- It helps you enhance your employer brand because it allows you to showcase your company culture, share relevant content, and more
How to Grow Your Network
Now you are probably asking yourself how to make the best use of LinkedIn Networking. We got you covered. We will share with you some tips and tricks that you can use to grow your network.
Use your contacts
You can start with the contacts you already have on your email list. LinkedIn allows you to sync your email with your LinkedIn profile and send mass connection invites to your acquaintances. You can use this option when you start using LinkedIn for the first time.
Be active and stay present
Once you create your initial base of connections, the next thing you should do is keep being active. You can share content about your role, industry, tips and tricks, or you can engage with other people’s posts.
Use LinkedIn’s filters
LinkedIn offers great tools that you can use to expand your network. One of them is the filter options. You can look for people in the same industry as you or who share the same job title.
Ask for introductions
Another great way of using LinkedIn Network is to ask the people you know to introduce you to their LinkedIn connections. Of course, you should make sure you are not spamming and have a specific proposal in mind for the person you want to connect with.
Linkedin Networking Message Template
The initial connection message is essential when you want to connect with new people, mainly potential candidates. Here you have a template that you can use. Try to adapt it to your own tone of voice.
Subject line: Introduction and interest in your experience
Dear [First Name],
I came across your LinkedIn profile and was impressed by your experience in [insert relevant skill or job experience]. As a recruiter for [company name], I am always looking for talented individuals to join our team, and I believe you could be a great fit for one of our current and future job openings.
I would love to connect with you to learn more about your background and experience. Please feel free to accept my invitation to connect. I am also happy to answer any questions you may have about our company or the job openings we have available.
Thank you for your time!
Best regards,
[ Your name]
Exporting Your LinkedIn Connections
Now that you have the template and the ways to enhance your network connections, it will be a shame not to be able to export all these connections.
It is always a good idea to have your own database since technology is unpredictable at times.
The good news is that you can do this by using Linkmatch.
There are 4 easy steps that you can do to export your connections:
- Install the LinkMatch for CSV extension and log in.
- Go to the LinkedIn page, and click “add to queue” near the profiles that you want to save.
- Click the “Start” button at the top right corner.
- After the parsing is done, go to the options page -> URL Parsing -> Export To CSV
Let us know how this goes!
LinkedIn Networking for Recruiters FAQ
Is LinkedIn networking worth it for recruiters?
Networking is a great tool that helps you reach people across different industries and backgrounds. It is definitely worth it for recruitment.
How do I reach out on LinkedIn Networking?
You can start by sending a connection invite and a connection message. You can keep it simple at first and just let people know you want to connect with them.
What should I say in a LinkedIn message to potential candidates?
There are many ways to approach this. The main details that you should include are the role you are offering, why you think they might be a match, and how they can reach you to ask more questions.