How to find the right hiring manager or recruiter on LinkedIn, and message them like a pro

When it comes to landing your next role, one of the most underused—but powerful—strategies is proactive outreach.

Instead of hoping a recruiter stumbles upon your application, take control. Reach out directly to the people who matter: the recruiter, the hiring manager, or even someone on the team you want to join.

Here’s how to do it right:

Step 1: Find the Person Behind the Job Listing

Before cold-searching, check if the job post itself reveals who’s hiring.

1. Look for the Job Poster on LinkedIn

Some LinkedIn job listings show a small box that says “Posted by [Name]” near the top or side of the post.
Click their name. This is often:

• A recruiter
• Someone from the talent team
• Or even the hiring manager

If their title includes “Recruiter,” “Talent Acquisition,” or a functional title like “Head of Marketing,” you’ve likely found a direct contact.

2. No Job Poster Listed? Try This Instead

Use the LinkedIn search bar to find someone connected to the role:

Search Terms to Try:

• "Company Name" AND (Recruiter OR "Talent Acquisition" OR "Hiring Manager" OR "[Team Lead Title]")
  (Example: “Pinterest AND (Recruiter OR Marketing Manager)”)
• "[Company Name] + [Role Title]"
  (e.g., “Pinterest Measurement Lead”)
• "[Company Name] + [Department]"
  (e.g., “Pinterest + Marketing Science”)

Use Filters:

• Location: Match the job’s location
• Current Company: Set it to the company you’re applying to
• Title: Look for roles like Manager, Director, or Recruiter in the relevant department

Pro Tip:

If you find someone currently in the role you're applying for, reach out to them! Ask who the hiring manager is—or better yet, if they’d be willing to refer you.

Final Thought

Proactive outreach works. We've coached professionals who landed interviews simply by reaching out to the right person.

Not sure what to say? Let Odyseek help. Add the job to your tracker and let our AI generate a personalized cold message for you—so you can stand out with confidence.