If you're on LinkedIn, there's a good chance a recruiter will reach out to you at some point. In fact, approximately 65 million people use LinkedIn to search for jobs each week. These messages can open new job opportunities, so knowing how to respond is important.
Your response can shape your career path. A good reply shows that you're professional, interested (if the role fits), and open to building connections.
Even if you're not looking for a job right now, replying the right way can leave a positive impression and keep you in mind for future roles.
Why Use LinkedIn to Connect with Recruiters?
LinkedIn is a top platform for job seekers because recruiters actively search for candidates based on their profile, job opening, and skills. Many job openings never get publicly posted, recruiters reach out directly.
Here’s why LinkedIn helps in job searching:
- More Job Opportunities: Recruiters find and contact candidates directly instead of posting all job openings online.
- Career Growth: A strong profile can attract recruiters looking for talent that fits their company.
- Expanding Your Professional Network: Connecting with recruiters increases your chances of discovering future opportunities.
- Better Job Matches: Recruiters match you with roles based on your skills and experience.
To stand out in your job process, we recommend you read our article on How to Optimize LinkedIn Profile for Job Search.
How to Respond to a Recruiter on LinkedIn
Now, let’s get into the key strategies. How should you respond to a recruiter to make the best impression?
What should you do, and what should you avoid to get better results? Here’s what you need to know.
1. Read the Recruiter’s Message Carefully Before Responding
This might seem like a simple step, but many people rush through it and miss important details. You don’t want to do that!
Not all recruiter messages are the same. Some will be detailed, listing the job title, salary range, and expectations, while others might be vague, just asking if you're open to opportunities.
Before you respond, take a moment to analyze what’s being offered. Ask yourself:
- Does this role align with my career advancement and goals?
- Does the company culture seem like a good fit?
- Do my skills and experience match what they’re looking for?
If the message is unclear, don’t hesitate to ask for more details. A polite and professional response could be:
"Hi [Recruiter’s Name], thanks for reaching out! I’d love to learn more about the role and the team. Could you share more details about the responsibilities and company culture? Looking forward to hearing more!"
This keeps the conversation open while showing interest, without committing to anything too soon.
2. Timing Matters: When to Reply for the Best Impact
Being on LinkedIn means you can connect with recruiters from all over the world, often in different time zones.
To keep the conversation moving and increase your chances of a good response, it’s best to reply when the recruiter is most active.
Recruiters manage multiple job openings and often move fast. A delayed response could mean missing out on an opportunity. Aim to reply within 24-48 hours to show professionalism and interest.
Also, timing within the day matters. Mornings (8-10 AM) and early afternoons (12-2 PM) on weekdays are usually the best times to respond since that’s when recruiters and hiring managers are actively working through their inboxes. If you wait too long, the role could be filled before you even get a chance!
If you want to know when is the best time to post on LinkedIn, here’s our guide on: Best Time to Post on LinkedIn in 2025
3. Reply Based on Your Interest
Your response depends on how interested you are in the role. Here’s how to reply professionally while keeping it natural and to the point.
If You’re Interested
Show enthusiasm but keep it professional.
"Hi [Recruiter’s Name], thanks for reaching out! This role at [Company Name] sounds like a great opportunity, and I’d love to learn more. My experience in [mention relevant skills] aligns well with the job description. Would you be available for a quick call this week?"
Why it works: It’s direct, shows interest, and makes it easy for the recruiter to move forward.
If You’re Open but Unsure
You’re not actively looking, but the opportunity sounds interesting.
"Hi [Name], I appreciate you reaching out! I’m not actively job searching, but I’m always open to hearing about exciting roles. Could you share more details about the position and company? If it’s a good fit, I’d be happy to chat."
Why it works: Keeps the conversation open without committing too soon.
If You Want to Politely Decline
Not interested? Say no professionally while keeping the connection.
"Hi [Name], thanks for reaching out! I appreciate the opportunity, but I’m not looking for a change right now. That said, I’d love to stay in touch for future roles that might be a better fit. Wishing you success in your search!"
4. Follow Up If You Don’t Hear Back
You had a great chat with a recruiter, but now… silence. No update, no next steps. It happens more often than you’d think. Managers are busy managing multiple tasks, and sometimes things get delayed.
But that doesn’t mean the opportunity is gone! If you haven’t heard back in a week, a simple follow-up can keep you on their radar.
"Hi [Recruiter’s Name], I wanted to follow up on our conversation about the [job title] role. I’m still very interested and would love to know if there are any updates. Looking forward to hearing from you!"
This quick message shows initiative and reminds them you’re still interested, without being pushy.
5. Stay Connected for Future Opportunities
Just because this job isn’t the right fit doesn’t mean the conversation has to end. Building relationships with recruiters can open doors later, even months or years down the line.
A simple thank-you and a connection request can go a long way.
"Thanks again for reaching out, [Recruiter’s Name]! While this role isn’t the right fit, I really appreciate the conversation. I’d love to stay in touch for any future opportunities that match my experience. Wishing you the best!"
Why it matters? Recruiters keep a list of strong candidates for future roles. By staying connected, you increase your chances of being top of mind when the right opportunity comes along.
Bonus Strategy: Get Noticed by Recruiters with Consistent LinkedIn Posts
Most people think recruiters only find candidates through job applications or direct messages, but that’s not the whole story.
One of the best ways to attract recruiters to you is by consistently posting on LinkedIn, and tools like Podawaa can help you!
When you share insights, industry updates, or achievements, you position yourself as a knowledgeable professional.
This increases your visibility and makes it more likely that recruiters will come across your profile, without you even reaching out!
What should you post?
- Industry Trends & Insights: Share your thoughts on what’s happening in your field.
- Project Highlights: Showcase your work and accomplishments.
- Lessons Learned: Talk about experiences that helped shape your career.
- Engage with Job Posting: Comment on job descriptions or industry news to stay active.
Here are some ideas and examples on LinkedIn posts that get a lot of reach.
Get More Profile Views with Podawaa
Posting is important, but engagement is what really gets you noticed. This is where Podawaa can help.
It’s a LinkedIn engagement tool that boosts your post visibility by automating likes and comments. More engagement means your posts appear in more feeds, making it easier for LinkedIn recruiters to find you.
Pro Tip: Post 2-3 times a week and engage with others’ content to keep your LinkedIn profile active and attract the right connections.
Add Podawaa to Chrome for free or start our 7-day free trial for more advanced features.