The Do’s (and Don’ts) of Passive Candidate Communication: Consider your first message to be a conversation starter, consider your first message to be a conversation starter and adopt a conversational, enthusiastic tone.

1. Talent Solutions Best Practices
InMail Basics
Basic InMail Features
1. Recipients
InMail Credits: Anyone who can be messaged
using an InMail credit. Each Recruiter seat is
allotted 50 credits per month. 1
Free: Anyone who can be messaged without using
an InMail credit, whether the message is sent to a
LinkedIn Inbox or an external email address. 2
Email: If you imported the leads or if members are
your 1st degree connection, you can send them an
email.
Omitted: Anyone who cannot be messaged.
2. Use LinkedIn InMail 3
Check this box to track InMail response rates.
3. Templates
Use an existing template that you or a teammate
has created, or create a new one.
Message Body
Customize your message with the Category,
Subject, Salutation, and Message fields. When
using a template, these fields will auto-populate. If 4
you’re using a template, be sure to review the
Message field and refine as needed. You’ll want
your message to read as a conversation starter that
is written in a customized way for the recipients.
5
4. Contact Information
Choose whether to include your email address or
phone number.
6
5. Tracking
Add a tracking code for OFCCP compliance.
Communicate with Passive Candidates
Communicating with passive candidates can be tricky if not approached with thoughtful consideration. You’ll
want to approach candidates with a brief but detailed message, with the mindset of starting a conversation. In
the event the candidate isn’t open to a new opportunity, they may know someone who is. It’s important that
your message is carefully crafted to encourage a response, regardless of whether the position is right for
them. A networking opportunity today could lead to multiple opportunities in the future.
©2012 LinkedIn Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

2. Talent Solutions Best Practices
The Difference Between InMail and Email
With LinkedIn Recruiter, you have two options for
communicating with candidates: InMail and email.
InMail: If you use InMail, you can track your response
rates and measure the effectiveness of your
communications. If you send an InMail to 1st degree
connections, no credits will be used.
Email: If you imported the leads or if members are
your 1st degree connection, you can send them an
email. Sending an email via Recruiter is free, but you
won’t be able to track it in your metrics to measure
the effectiveness of your communications.
The Do’s and Don’ts of Passive Candidate Communication:
Do Don’t
• Consider your first message to be a conversation • Cut and paste a job description in your first
starter. message.
• Customize your message or template to reflect • Direct passive candidates to look at a job posting.
something about the recipient’s experience.
• Immediately request a resume.
• Adopt a conversational, enthusiastic tone.
• Be brief and to the point.
• Focus on finding out candidate availability and
interest in a new opportunity.
• Always ask for referrals.
©2012 LinkedIn Corporation. All Rights Reserved.