With AI becoming a more prominent feature of job searching, it’s tempting to lean heavily on tools like LinkedIn’s AI message generator to connect with recruiters, hiring managers, and professionals in your network. The problem with solely relying on AI for your reachouts is that it generalizes your messaging and ignores what makes you unique.
Think about it: What makes you stand out from the crowd? Why are you best suited for the role? Sending the same message to numerous recruiters may help you send more messages in less time, but no technology can represent you as well as you can. Claudia Garcia of Forbes says, “Recruiters may receive hundreds of messages on LinkedIn every month.” How many recruiters have an oversaturated InMail inbox of identical messages? You need to be strategic in your outreach.
Customizing each outreach may be overwhelming, especially when you only have five to seven sentences to sell yourself to a recruiter. Still, that unique message will instantly separate you from those who take the easy, AI-generated route.
Here’s how to stand out:
1) Put the human element back into your messaging. AI can help generate a jump-off point for the structure of your message, but make sure your message is personalized to the recruiter, the job, and yourself. Highlight how your experience, skill set, personality, and goals can add value to the organization.
2) Treat this message as the first step in the interview process. Keep your message brief and explain why you are a great fit for the position. There’s no need to reiterate your resume. You can catch the recruiter’s eye by focusing on how your experiences match the job description.
3) Include a call to action. Invite the recruiter to review your resume and/or provide your availability to schedule a call as soon as possible. If you are actively searching for a new opportunity, you can express your urgency and interest in the message:
“I’m excited by the possibility of this position because of [specific reason], and I’m excited to speak with you in-depth about how my experience as a [role] at [company] makes me a good candidate for the role. I am available to speak with you for the rest of today; please let me know when works best for us to have a call.”
It’s a tumultuous job market, and standing out among the crowd can feel impossible. You should use every tool in your arsenal to demonstrate why you are uniquely qualified for positions, but using them appropriately and effectively is key. Use AI to assist your efforts, but at the end of the day, human connection will make you memorable, not AI.
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