NETWORKING
Who should you message at a company before applying?
Messaging strangers is awkward. Messaging the wrong stranger is awkward and pointless.
SHORT ANSWER
Start with someone who'd work with you: a future teammate or the likely hiring manager. Recruiters are useful for process and timing. Senior executives are rarely the right first message.
The shortlist
| Person | Good for | Ask about | Our read |
|---|---|---|---|
| Former colleague who works there | Honest context, maybe a referral | The team, then the role | Best first message |
| Future teammate | What the work is really like | The team's current problems | Often replies |
| Hiring manager | Whether you fit | One specific, relevant thing you did | Fewer replies, bigger payoff |
| Recruiter | Process, timing, whether the role is live | Logistics | Reliable for facts |
| Executive | Rarely the right start | Skip unless you have a real connection | Low |
What to say
Short. Specific. One question. Say why you picked them. Don't paste your resume and don't ask for a referral in the first message.
What not to do
- Message ten people at the same company on the same day
- Open with "I know you are busy, but"
- Ask a question the job post already answers
- Follow up three times in a week