When it comes to sourcing tech candidates, one of the long proven methods is reaching out to them is on Linkedin. Almost everyone is one there so you might just as well get started. However, if you hiring standards are high, we must warn you that finding 1-2 candidates that would meet all your requirements and would want to accept your offer might require upwards of 500-1000 initial messages.

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Here's some help to get started.

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Be genuine and transparent in your outreach

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When reaching out to anyone on LinkedIn (or any other platform), it's important to be genuine and transparent. Don't try to hide the fact that you are recruiting or that you are looking for candidates for a specific role. Be upfront about who you are and what you're looking for. Developers are smart cookies, and they will see right through any attempts at deception.

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The best way to be transparent is to simply state your purpose for reaching out. Are you looking for candidates for a specific role? Do you want to learn more about their experience or skills? Maybe you're just trying to build your network. Whatever the reason, make sure you state it clearly in your outreach message.

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Try to be different from other recruiters

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Let's face it. The best developers get contacted by recruiters several times per day. They are bombarded with LinkedIn messages, emails, and phone calls from recruiters trying to fill their open roles. So, how can you stand out from the crowd?

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The key is to be different. Be unique. Don't just copy and paste a generic message template. Take the time to personalize each message that you send. Mention something that you noticed on their profile, or mention a project that you saw that you were impressed with. If you can find a way to connect with the developer on a personal level, you will be much more likely to get their attention.

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Get straight to the point

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Developers are busy people. They don't have time to read through long, drawn-out messages. They want to know what you want and why you're contacting them, and they want to know now. So, get straight to the point in your outreach messages.

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State your purpose for reaching out right away. Don't beat around the bush. Be clear and concise. The more direct you are, the better.

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Make it easy for them to respond

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When you make an outreach message, you should always include a call-to-action (CTA). This is a specific request that you are making of the recipient. It could be something like "please send me your resume" or "please schedule a time for a call."

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Make sure that your CTA is clear and easy to understand. And make it easy for them to follow through on your request. If you're asking for a resume, include a link to an online form or email address. If you're asking for a call, include a link to your calendar or scheduling page. The easier you make it for them, the more likely they are to follow through.

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Template 1: The friendly one

Hi (name),

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I hope you're doing well! I am contacting you about a potential opportunity at our company. We are looking for talented (role) engineers and after reviewing your previous work, I thought you could fit well.

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If you're interested, please let me know, and let's have a chat.

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Thank you for your time!

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Best,

(Your name)

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Template 2: The one with a personal touch

Hi (name),

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My name is (Your name) from (company). I was doing some research on (topic) and came across your blog post on (subject). I really enjoyed reading it and it made me think of you as a potential candidate for our company for our (role)

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I would love to hear more about your thoughts on (topic) and get to know you better. Up for a short chat?

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Template 3: The one with a common connection

Hi (name),

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I was recently speaking with (mutual connection), and they suggested that I reach out to you regarding a potential opportunity at our company.

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We are looking for talented (role) engineers and your skills and experience fit well with what we are looking for. I would love to chat with you about the role and get to know you better.

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Thank you for your time!

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Best,

(Your name)

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Template 4: The one with a specific offer

Hi (name),

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I am reaching out to you because we are looking for talented (role) engineers for our project about (project description). We are ready to pay a salary of (salary).

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Thought I would reach out and see if this is something that'd interest you.

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Best,

(Your name)

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Template 5: The one with an event invitation

Hi (name),

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I hope you're doing well! I am reaching out to you because we are hosting an event on (date) about (topic). Since I saw you recently (interacted with topic, I think you would be a great fit and it would be great to get to know you better.

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If you're interested, please let me know and I'll send you more details.

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Thank you for your time!

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Best,

(Your name)

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Template 6: The one with a content piece offer

Hi (name),

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I hope you're doing well! I am reaching out to you because we've recently published a blog post/whitepaper/ eBook on (topic). I think it's interesting because (reason).

Do you agree? At (company) we are trying to solve exactly this problem and are currently looking for more brilliant engineers.

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If you're interested, please let me know and I'll send you the link.

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In conclusion

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We hope these templates will help you write the best LinkedIn outreach messages to developers! If you have any other tips, feel free to share with us at calle@hashlist.com

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Using these templates or a combination of them should give you a head start in your sourcing. If you have better things to do with your time than this endless outreach, we recommend you try out Hashlist, the all-in-one tech hiring platform where the candidates are sourced and available already. No special outreach message needed..!