LinkedIn - Prospective Job Application

[romeogolf]

I'm connected on LinkedIn with a handful of senior managers within the industry in which I work. My role has stagnated slightly and I'm curious to what else is available.

If I were to contact one of these connections with a prospective application, and explain that while my job role has been hugely satisfying I am looking for a bigger challenge, would this be viewed negatively?

[anonymous-user]

romeogolf said:

I'm connected on LinkedIn with a handful of senior managers within the industry in which I work. My role has stagnated slightly and I'm curious to what else is available.

If I were to contact one of these connections with a prospective application, and explain that while my job role has been hugely satisfying I am looking for a bigger challenge, would this be viewed negatively?

Isn't that what LinkedIn is all about? I cannot see anything wrong with doing what you say.

[AndrewEH1]

As said, LinkedIn is basically a work networking site.

Make sure your profile looks good and is up to date and makes you look good (but not fake) before sending any messages though.

[anonymous-user]

AndrewEH1 said:

As said, LinkedIn is basically a work networking site.

Make sure your profile looks good and is up to date and makes you look good (but not fake) before sending any messages though.

Good point about the profile. I got made redundant Jan 1 and although I'm not actively looking for anything I made sure my profile was bang up-to-date and made a good impression just in case. Before that I really didn't worry too much.

[romeogolf]

Thanks guys - Yeah, it makes sense that this is what the site is for, but it's just not something I'd done before!

My basic message would be along the lines of;

"Hi X

Hope you're doing well, it was great to see you at Y event.

As you know, I'm currently working for Company A in the role of Role B. The las 3 years have been excellent and Company A have given me a great opportunity on Project X. It seems my career with Company A will be moved in this direction on further projects, but I'm not sure if the additional travel and time away from home is something I want to persue. I'm interested to know if there are any opportunities arising in Role C with Company B which may suit my skill set.

Many thanks,
RG"

[ClaphamGT3]

Too much info. If you know your targets at all well, drop them a line saying that you're thinking about where to take your career and could you have a quick catch up over coffee

[Gargamel]

romeogolf said:

Thanks guys - Yeah, it makes sense that this is what the site is for, but it's just not something I'd done before!

My basic message would be along the lines of;

"Hi X

Hope you're doing well, it was great to see you at Y event.

As you know, I'm currently working for Company A in the role of Role B. The las 3 years have been excellent and Company A have given me a great opportunity on Project X. It seems my career with Company A will be moved in this direction on further projects, but I'm not sure if the additional travel and time away from home is something I want to persue. I'm interested to know if there are any opportunities arising in Role C with Company B which may suit my skill set.

Many thanks,
RG"

Don't include the bit in bold - for sure. gives a negative impression, whether you intend it to or not. Essentially you are communicating - I'd like a new job, but nothing to difficult please.

As per Clapham above, brevity is the soul of communication

Hi,

Thinking about my next move, and wondered if I could ask your advice. Do you have a moment for a quick catch up ?


(people love being asked for advice)

[57 Chevy]

romeogolf said:

"Hi X"

I wouldn't put a kiss in there if I were you

[romeogolf]

57 Chevy said:

romeogolf said:

"Hi X"

I wouldn't put a kiss in there if I were you

Depending on the recipient the kiss could make all the difference

[57 Chevy]

romeogolf said:

Depending on the recipient the kiss could make all the difference

LOL, true

[romeogolf]

Gargamel said:

romeogolf said:

Thanks guys - Yeah, it makes sense that this is what the site is for, but it's just not something I'd done before!

My basic message would be along the lines of;

"Hi X

Hope you're doing well, it was great to see you at Y event.

As you know, I'm currently working for Company A in the role of Role B. The las 3 years have been excellent and Company A have given me a great opportunity on Project X. It seems my career with Company A will be moved in this direction on further projects, but I'm not sure if the additional travel and time away from home is something I want to persue. I'm interested to know if there are any opportunities arising in Role C with Company B which may suit my skill set.

Many thanks,
RG"

Don't include the bit in bold - for sure. gives a negative impression, whether you intend it to or not. Essentially you are communicating - I'd like a new job, but nothing to difficult please.

As per Clapham above, brevity is the soul of communication

Hi,

Thinking about my next move, and wondered if I could ask your advice. Do you have a moment for a quick catch up ?


(people love being asked for advice)

Thanks - I'm just curious as to whether I should put a reason for wanting to know about roles with them. If I've said that I've got this great opportunity and chance to progress with my current company... Why would I want to move?

[Gargamel]

romeogolf said:

Thanks - I'm just curious as to whether I should put a reason for wanting to know about roles with them. If I've said that I've got this great opportunity and chance to progress with my current company... Why would I want to move?

I just don't think you need that at the very first message.

[anonymous-user]

Gargamel said:

romeogolf said:

Thanks - I'm just curious as to whether I should put a reason for wanting to know about roles with them. If I've said that I've got this great opportunity and chance to progress with my current company... Why would I want to move?

I just don't think you need that at the very first message.

Agreed. Most meetings of this ilk will simply start out as a feeler for both parties and then get specific where necessary. Sometimes you have no idea which way a meeting will go, so just leaving it open with no preconceptions is often preferred.

[Kermit power]

romeogolf said:

Gargamel said:

romeogolf said:

Thanks guys - Yeah, it makes sense that this is what the site is for, but it's just not something I'd done before!

My basic message would be along the lines of;

"Hi X

Hope you're doing well, it was great to see you at Y event.

As you know, I'm currently working for Company A in the role of Role B. The las 3 years have been excellent and Company A have given me a great opportunity on Project X. It seems my career with Company A will be moved in this direction on further projects, but I'm not sure if the additional travel and time away from home is something I want to persue. I'm interested to know if there are any opportunities arising in Role C with Company B which may suit my skill set.

Many thanks,
RG"

Don't include the bit in bold - for sure. gives a negative impression, whether you intend it to or not. Essentially you are communicating - I'd like a new job, but nothing to difficult please.

As per Clapham above, brevity is the soul of communication

Hi,

Thinking about my next move, and wondered if I could ask your advice. Do you have a moment for a quick catch up ?


(people love being asked for advice)

Thanks - I'm just curious as to whether I should put a reason for wanting to know about roles with them. If I've said that I've got this great opportunity and chance to progress with my current company... Why would I want to move?

My first thought would be that it's not a good idea to lie to them!

You said in your OP that your current role is stagnating, yet you're proposing sending a message to people saying you've been offered an exciting new role. If you've been offered an exciting new role, why would you be looking to change? It just sounds suspect, and as you've already discovered, you then have to try and come up with a suitable excuse, which is not easy.

Do you actually know these guys, or did you just send them a generic "I'd like to connect on LinkedIn" request when you met them once at a trade fair 5 years ago?

If the former, then I'd go with the suggested approach of "I'm looking to progress my career and would welcome your advice".

If the latter, then just send it more formally asking them to enter you into their recruitment process, maybe adding that when you spoke a couple of years ago, you found their outlook on the industry to be pretty inspiring. Worst case is you get ignored, second worst case is that they forward it to their recruiters, best case they invite you in for a chat.

[romeogolf]

Kermit power said:

My first thought would be that it's not a good idea to lie to them!

You said in your OP that your current role is stagnating, yet you're proposing sending a message to people saying you've been offered an exciting new role. If you've been offered an exciting new role, why would you be looking to change? It just sounds suspect, and as you've already discovered, you then have to try and come up with a suitable excuse, which is not easy.

Do you actually know these guys, or did you just send them a generic "I'd like to connect on LinkedIn" request when you met them once at a trade fair 5 years ago?

If the former, then I'd go with the suggested approach of "I'm looking to progress my career and would welcome your advice".

If the latter, then just send it more formally asking them to enter you into their recruitment process, maybe adding that when you spoke a couple of years ago, you found their outlook on the industry to be pretty inspiring. Worst case is you get ignored, second worst case is that they forward it to their recruiters, best case they invite you in for a chat.

So the truth is that my original role has hit a 'peak' as it were. The only progression I would naturally get is into a regional position, but the RM isn't going anywhere. They can see I'm bored, so offerred me a side project which was a great experience, and could develop, but involves a lot of travel and time away from home. I'm not sure this is a route I want to go down, so want to put feelers out for more 'local' roles.

The two people I have in mind to message are (1) A director at our competitor. Met her when she was regional 18 months or so ago as a "get to know you" visit. The second is a director of another company, slightly different field, who I met a little while before that when I was actually interviewed for a role at that company. I got the job but declined at the time as I didn't feel their remuneration package was competitive and they refused to negotiate when I discussed it.

[rog007]

Less is certainly more in this example as others have stated. And don't fail on your profile as I see many who do; follow the basic rules of a good CV and you can't go too wrong. Good luck!

[CSK423]

Why are you not raising this with your current employer ? and asking to progress within their business ?

This is a much easier exit conversation if the current business fail to address your progression.

[romeogolf]

swerni said:

Any response back from your messages yet?

Nothing yet. I sent this yesterday after much deliberation on wording.

Hi -

I hope you're well. As you may know I've been [position] with [company] for nearly 3 years now and have been given some fantastic opportunities within the company, including helping on the [big project]. It looks as though my role with [company] will be moving in this direction as new [projects are initiated]
.
I was considering sending an email to [name]as per the [your company] website, but as you and I have met previously I thought it wouldn't hurt to reach out directly.

Do you know of any positions which may suit [position] taking their next steps, or which would suit my experience, which may arise in the coming months with [your company]? Even if nothing is on the horizon I would welcome your advice.
Many thanks

[romeogolf]

[romeogolf]

romeogolf said:

Nothing yet. I sent this yesterday after much deliberation on wording.

Hi -

I hope you're well. As you may know I've been [position] with [company] for nearly 3 years now and have been given some fantastic opportunities within the company, including helping on the [big project]. It looks as though my role with [company] will be moving in this direction as new [projects are initiated]
.
I was considering sending an email to [name]as per the [your company] website, but as you and I have met previously I thought it wouldn't hurt to reach out directly.

Do you know of any positions which may suit [position] taking their next steps, or which would suit my experience, which may arise in the coming months with [your company]? Even if nothing is on the horizon I would welcome your advice.
Many thanks

[romeogolf]

I got a reply this afternoon:

How lovely to hear from you. We haven't any opportunities at the moment but definitely keep in touch!

Oh well, didn't hurt