Final answer:
To message someone on LinkedIn for a referral, find their contact, create a compelling pitch based on thorough company research, and have a complete LinkedIn profile with a clear photo and relevant keywords. Be concise, professional, and persistent in your follow-ups.
Step-by-step explanation:
To cold message someone on LinkedIn for a referral, first be resourceful in finding their contact information. Next, create a compelling pitch that grabs their attention by focusing on their needs and how you can fulfill them. This involves thorough research on the company.
While crafting your LinkedIn profile, include a clear headshot and weave relevant keywords into your headline and summary to attract the right connections and make your profile stand out. This helps you to be more easily found by potential employers or referrers.
When composing your message, keep it brief, professional, and ensure you include a clear next step, like a follow-up call. You can also utilize your elevator pitch for this purpose. Lastly, be persistent in your follow-up but strive to maintain a pleasant and non-intrusive demeanor.