I’m often asked: what exactly should you say in the first 30 seconds when you open a LinkedIn message to hiring managers, recruiters or scheme leads for graduate-schemes and entry-level roles? Over the years I’ve read hundreds of approaches that work — and many that don’t. Here I’ll share a clear, repeatable structure I use with clients, examples you can copy-and-adapt, and quick tweaks to make your opener stand out without sounding pushy.
Why the first 30 seconds matter
On LinkedIn, people decide quickly. Recruiters skim messages between meetings, hiring managers scan through notifications while juggling interviews, and scheme coordinators receive dozens of queries each week. A concise opener that shows relevance, professionalism and a clear ask is more likely to get a response than a long message that buries your point.
I treat the 30-second opener like an elevator pitch for a message inbox: it should answer three questions in the first line or two — who you are, why you’re reaching out, and what you’re asking for. If you cover those, you’ve done the heavy lifting.
The simple structure I recommend
Use this framework every time. It takes around 2–3 short sentences and keeps the focus on the recipient.
Wrap it with a polite sign-off and a link to your LinkedIn profile is redundant because they’re already on the platform — instead, consider including a one-line link to a CV or portfolio only if directly relevant.
Words that work — and words to avoid
Certain phrases get attention because they’re specific. Use:
Avoid vague or desperate language such as “looking for any opportunity”, “desperate”, or long life stories. Recruiters want signal — short, relevant facts — not an extended narrative in an opener.
Examples you can adapt — use the right tone
Below are templates tailored for different scenarios. Pick the one that matches your situation and edit the bracketed parts.
Hi [Name], I’m [Your Name], a final-year BA Politics student at [University]. I applied for the [Analyst — Graduate Scheme] yesterday and wanted to highlight my dissertation on [topic], which used [method/skill] and relates to your team’s work on [project]. Could I ask two quick questions about the application timeline? Thanks for your time.
Hi [Name], I’m [Your Name], a recent Computer Science graduate keen on [Company]’s graduate software roles. I built an accessible web app using React and AWS that reduced load times by 30% — happy to share a demo. Would you be open to a 10-minute chat about what you look for in entry-level engineers? Best, [Name]
Hi [Name], I’m [Your Name], final-year Marketing (BA) at [University], specialising in digital analytics. I noticed your post about entry-level roles in consumer insights — I have internship experience running A/B tests and using Google Analytics. Could I send a short CV or arrange a 10-minute call next week? Thanks for considering.
Hi [Name], I’m [Your Name], a [University] alum (Class of 2026) studying Biology. I’m applying to the [Company] graduate scheme and saw you’re in the graduate intake — would you mind a quick question about the assessment centre? I’d value any tips you can share. Cheers, [Name]
Tone tips for graduate and entry-level roles
The tone should be confident, curious and concise. A few rules I follow with clients:
How to tailor the message fast (3-minute method)
If you’re reaching out to multiple people, use this quick routine:
This keeps your messages personalised without taking ages. Personalisation beats a generic spray of messages every time.
Follow-up strategy — what to do if they don’t reply
Wait 5–7 working days, then send a polite one-line follow-up that restates the ask briefly. Example:
Hi [Name], just checking in on my message below — would you be open to a 10-minute chat about [scheme/role]? I appreciate your time. Thanks, [Name]
If there’s still no response, move on. Recruiters are busy and multiple gentle attempts are fine, but persistent messaging can harm your reputation.
Real-life opener I used with a client
One of my clients — a languages graduate — used this opener when contacting a global consultancy’s graduate recruitment lead:
| Message | Hi [Name], I’m [Client Name], a recent French & Spanish BA graduate who completed a consultancy internship on a market-entry project for a healthcare client. I’m applying for your Consulting Graduate Programme and would appreciate two quick tips on preparing for the case interview. Would you have 10 minutes next week? Best, [Client Name] |
The recruiter replied within 48 hours and gave practical pointers, which helped the candidate prepare for and pass the first-stage interview. The success boiled down to the specific tie-in (the internship) and the small, defined ask.
Use the structure, be specific, and keep the ask tiny. That combination helps you get the conversations that lead to interviews. If you’d like, I can tailor three personalised openers based on your CV and target role — just send me the role title and two lines about your experience.
