How to Reach Out to a Recruiter on LinkedIn?

Wondering how to reach out to a recruiter on LinkedIn? This guide offers vital tips, especially tailored for those in the video game industry. At 8Bit we are a specialized staffing agency for the game development sector, yet these insights should be applicable across various industries. Although our examples are centered around video games, the strategies discussed can be adapted to any professional context.

Should you reach out to a recruiter on LinkedIn with an intro message?

If you’re considering reaching out to a recruiter you don’t yet know, it typically indicates you’re on the lookout for new job opportunities. We often receive messages like:

“Hi, my name is X and I’m looking for a new job in the games industry. Can you help me?”

While we appreciate the directness, it’s crucial to understand the dynamics of working with a recruitment agency (which to some extend will be also applicable to the in-house Talent Acquisition teams). Agencies like ours are project-focused, meaning we match candidates with specific roles we’re hired to fill. As our Lead Recruiter, Patryk Suchy, emphasized during our LinkedIn Audio Live “Gamedev Recruitment: Ask Us Anything” session:

recruitment agencies are hired by companies to find candidates for specific roles, not to find roles for job seekers.

It means we match candidates to roles we’re already working on, rather than scouting the internet for roles that fit an individual’s CV. Understanding this is crucial. If we don’t have a current opening that matches your skills when you contact us, we won’t be able to actively seek out other opportunities for you. And to check whether or not we have a relevant project, you don’t actually need to reach out to a recruiter on LinkedIn, scrolling through e.g. our gamedev jobs available will be way faster and easier.

Is sending CVs to recruiters on LinkedIn a good strategy?

Receiving messages like:

“Hi, I’m X, an Environment Artist with 7 years of experience, available for hybrid roles in Leeds, Doncaster, and Sheffield, here’s my CV and portfolio. Let me know what roles you have available for me.”

or

“Hello, I’m aspiring to enter the gaming industry as a Concept Artist. Could you help me find a suitable position? Sending my portfolio.“

is quite common. However, it’s unrealistic to expect a recruiter to conduct an exclusive search on your behalf.

The upside of messages like these is that you’ve already pinpointed what you’re looking for. Rather than wondering how to reach out to a recruiter on LinkedIn with these details, leverage this clarity to focus and refine your own job search.

On top of that, relying on a single, unmodified version of your resume can diminish your chances of landing a role. Consider tailoring your resume and portfolio to closely align with the job descriptions of roles you’re applying for. Highlight your relevant experience and skills, to make it easier for recruiters and hiring managers to see you as a fit for specific projects and roles.

How to reach out to a recruiter on LinkedIn the right way?

Examples above show how most people tend to reach out to recruiters on LinkedIn. But that doesn’t mean we don’t want to hear from you! There are effective ways to engage with us. Here’s how to reach out to a recruiter on LinkedIn:

1. Firstly, if you see a recruiter is hiring for a specific role and you have questions, go ahead and reach out, but be precise. For example, you could say:

“Hey Robert, I’m interested in the Level Designer role you’re sourcing for. I’d be moving for this opportunity, so could you tell me if the company provides relocation support?”

2. During our LinkedIn “Gamedev Recruitment: Ask Us Anything” session, our Senior Recruiter, Ljubica Garic, shared her approach to managing job seeker contacts. She maintains a spreadsheet where she records information about candidates who reach out with relevant details about their experience and availability. This proactive communication proves effective when well-targeted. For instance, candidates reaching out to Ljubica have already done their research and know that she specializes in hiring for Art, Animation, and Design roles.

A good example of this type of outreach is:

“Hey Laura, I’m currently a Game Designer at a Swedish XYZ Studio with three years of experience in designing gameplay for mobile games. In August my contract will expire, and I plan to relocate back to Germany. I’ll be keeping an eye on your job postings and wanted to introduce myself now. This way, we can establish a line of communication early, and I can be on your radar when the right opportunity arises.“

3. It’s also totally fine to connect just to network. After all, social media, even professional platforms like LinkedIn, are for making connections. Sending a message like:

“Hi Diana, I loved the article you shared last week, it really helped me polish my resume. Thanks for sharing, and keep up the good work!”

is always welcome. This approach not only establishes a connection but also shows that you engage with and appreciate their content.

Grow Your LinkedIn Network Strategically

Your approach to connecting with recruiters on LinkedIn can significantly impact your job search. It’s crucial to be specific, polite, and well-prepared. Remember, quality over quantity. If you’re a game artist, reaching out to a few specialized art recruiters will be more effective than contacting dozens of tech recruiters. So keep refining your approach, and watch your network grow. One meaningful connection at a time.