How To Reach Out Without "Being Annoying"

Recruiters and hiring managers are incredibly busy, especially during peak seasons like back-to-school. They get inundated with messages from job seekers, particularly those transitioning from teaching to other careers.

It's essential to understand their perspective and approach them thoughtfully to avoid being just another message in their overflowing inbox.

One hiring manager, Jon* shared his experience, saying,

"I’ve had to tell people that I’m entering a very busy season and can’t do so many calls to protect myself from burnout. Everyone wants the dream remote job and asks me to be a referral or connect them to the department. But since so many managers get bombarded on LinkedIn, talking to them about a random LinkedIn person often gets me a ‘come on’ stare."

This highlights the importance of being considerate and strategic when reaching out.

Here are some clear, practical steps to help you make a lasting impression without overwhelming those you're contacting:

Reach Out:

• Avoid Immediate Asks: Don't ask for favors right away. NEVER ask the person you’re contacting to do work for you, like reviewing your resume or forwarding your information.
   
• Respect Their Time: Don’t request a 30-minute “coffee chat” or anything that requires them to set aside time for you. Keep your initial contact brief and to the point.
  
  

Read on. I'll tell you!

Add Value: 

• Offer Insights and Support: Aim to help the person in some way. Offer insights, make recommendations based on your research, and show genuine support for their work.
  
  
• Ask for Referrals: Instead of asking for favors, simply ask, "Do you recommend anyone I should connect with?" This expands your network without imposing.

Stand Out:

• Tailor Your Resume: You may be asked to provide your resume. Have it ready. Remember to tailor your resume for each role you apply for. Make it polished and professional.
  
  
• Polish Your Digital Footprint: Stand out by getting your LinkedIn and other social media accounts updated. Do everything you can to distinguish yourself from other candidates.
  
  
• Invest in Skill Development: If the job requires specific skills, learn them yourself (as much as you can). Don’t expect the company to provide all the training. Incorporate your learnings into your outreach.

TLDR: By being helpful, they’ll respond more favorably. Then, you can begin to build an actual relationship. Once they get to know you organically, that’s when possible jobs get mentioned. 

In the meantime, make sure you’re ready to show you’re the perfect candidate for the job by having your resume ready, your digital footprint polished, and some fresh hard skills under your belt. This will “accelerate” your reputation and grease the wheels.

Remember: Be interesting. Be supportive. Be valuable. 

You'll get way more responses.

Ps. If they don’t respond, that’s okay too. Be consistent using this approach and it WILL pay off.

*Name changed