A good LinkedIn message is short, specific, and makes it easy for the recipient to say yes or no. It should not start with "I hope this message finds you well." It should explain who you are, why you are reaching out to this person specifically, and what you are asking for in one clear sentence.
Who to message on LinkedIn
The most useful people to reach out to are alumni from your university or school who work in a role or industry you are interested in, people you have met at events or panels, and employees at organisations you want to apply to. Reaching out to people two to five years into their career is often more effective than contacting senior partners or directors, who receive many more messages.
What not to include
Do not start with "I hope this message finds you well." Do not write more than four sentences in a connection request. Do not paste your CV or ask for a job in a LinkedIn message. Do not send a follow-up message the day after connecting — wait at least a week.
Connection request note (300 characters)
LinkedIn limits connection request notes to 300 characters. Be direct. Say who you are, why you are connecting, and what you hope to learn. One or two sentences is all you have space for.
Message template
Message templateConnection request note (under 300 characters):
Hi [Name], I'm [Your Name], a [Year] student studying [Subject] at [University/School]. I came across your profile and would love to connect — I'm interested in [their industry/role] and would be grateful to learn from your experience.
Follow-up message after connecting:
Hi [Name], thank you for connecting. I'm currently [brief description of where you are and what you're exploring]. I'd be really grateful for 15–20 minutes of your time to hear about your route into [their field] and any advice you'd share. No pressure at all if you're too busy. Thanks again.
Event follow-up (after meeting someone):
Hi [Name], it was great to meet you at [event] this week. I really enjoyed our conversation about [topic]. I'd love to stay in touch and, if you're ever happy to chat further, I'd welcome the chance to ask a couple of questions about your work in [area].
Replace every [highlighted placeholder] with your own specific content.
Checklist
- Message is under four sentences
- Explains who you are in one line
- States a specific reason for contacting this person
- Asks one clear and simple question
- Does not ask for a job or CV review in a first message
Common mistakes to avoid
- Opening with "I hope this message finds you well"
- Writing a long message that is difficult to respond to
- Asking for a job or internship directly in a first message
- Sending to many people with identical messages