The confusing part concerns whether you are asking your connection to
introduce you to a 2nd degree
connection (your friend’s friend) or a 3rd
degree connection (your friend’s, friend’s friend). Your connection can
forward your message to your desired recipient directly (if it is a 1st
degree connection of your friend) or through one of his/her connections (if
your desired recipient is your friend’s 2nd degree connection). These
two images make what I’m explaining a little clearer …
 |
With a 2nd degree connection
(to you), your friend can forward your message directly to your intended
recipient.
|
 |
| But with a 3rd degree connection (to you), your friend (connection) must pass on the message to one of his or her connections and ask that person to forward the message on to your intended recipient. |
To send a LinkedIn Get Introduced message through one of your 1st
degree connections:
1) Locate the end recipient's profile.
1) Locate the end recipient's profile.
 |
| Click the triangle next to Send InMail and then select "Get introduced" |
2) Click the triangle next to the Send Message button and select “Get Introduced” or click the "Get introduced " link on the lower right side of the person’s profile.
3) Select who (of your connections) should make the introduction from the pop-up box.
4) Craft your message … NOTE! This is where it gets tricky! Why? Because you want to do two things with your Get Introduced message: 1) Briefly ask your connection to forward the message and 2) Relay a direct message to the end recipient about why you want to be introduced.
Too often, job seekers foul this part up by just talking to their friend (connection). Here is an example of a bad message:
 |
| Rather than writing to your friend (connection), direct your message to the intended recipient. Otherwise, your intended recipient could end up with the message you sent to your friend! |
Here is an example of how to send a
more effective message to your friend’s 1st
degree connection (keeping in mind that the main message may be forwarded
directly to your intended recipient).
Subject: Barry, Please introduce me to
your connection, Rafael Augusto
Main Message: Rafael, We haven't had a chance to
meet, but as mutual acquaintances of Barry Roberts, I wanted to reach out to
you personally. I just applied for the [POSITION TITLE] at [COMPANY NAME], a
position for which I am perfect due to my [BRIEF SUMMARY OF RELEVANT
SKILLS/EXPERIENCE]. Do you have tips on how I can get my foot in the door
there? [OR, if the person IS the
hiring manager, write: I would love to speak with you about the position.] Do
you have 5 to 10 minutes free that I could call you with a couple of questions?
If so, let me know when would be best to call or feel free to call me at [PHONE
NUMBER]. Thanks, NAME
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Here is an example of how to modify your message to your friend’s 2nd degree connection (keeping in mind that the message has to be forwarded by both your connection and one of his/her connections to reach your intended person.)
Subject: Please forward this Get
Introduced request to Rafael Augusto
Main Message: Rafael, We haven't had a chance to
meet, but I've asked my extended network to introduce me to you. I recently
applied for the [POSITION TITLE] at [COMPANY NAME], a position for which I am
perfect due to my [BRIEF SUMMARY OF RELEVANT SKILLS/EXPERIENCE]. Do you have
tips on how I can get my foot in the door there? [OR, if the person IS the hiring manager, write: I would love to
speak with you about the position.] Do you have 5 to 10 minutes free that I
could call you with a couple of questions? If so, let me know when to call, or
feel free to call me at [PHONE NUMBER]. Thanks, NAME
5) Once you have finalized your message, click Send Request.
Other “Get Introduced” Tips
Other “Get Introduced” Tips
- People with free LinkedIn accounts can only send 5 Get Introduced messages per month. Compare account types for premium account options. Premium accounts also allow you to contact a non-connection directly (without an introduction) by sending an InMail.
- Consider doing more than asking the person to speak by phone. Ask the person to coffee or lunch
- Once the person accepts your introduction, you can interact directly; however you won't become a 1st degree connection with him/her until you and the person elect to connect.
- If you know someone's email address, you can send them an invitation to connect without having to get introduced through a connection, but be sure to customize the invitation to let them know why you want to connect. Inviting strangers to connect.
- If your 1st degree connection is highly influential or knows the end recipient well, work the opportunity! Don’t just send him/her a Get Introduced message to be forwarded, ask him or her to call or write to the person on your behalf or see if you can set up a lunch with both your friend and the target person.
- Seek to reach the hiring manager rather than the company’s recruiter. Recruiters typically are not the decision maker and tend to resist attempts to circumvent their application process. How to find the hiring manager.
Even though Get Introduced messages can
be confusing and tricky, they are worthwhile to use to get acquainted with
the hiring manager or influential person at your target company. In fact,
taking such a step just might help you … Get a Job!
Have you tried
the Get Introduced feature on LinkedIn? Share your experiences, comments or
questions on Getajobtips.com or on the LinkedIn discussion board that might
have brought you to the blog. -- Kathy
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