Contacting hiring managers… good idea or bad?

[Anonymous]

Was recently talking to a mentor as I navigate a job search and she suggested to always reach out to who is logically the hiring manager for positions on LinkedIn when you apply to help encourage your resume not to be trapped in the ats. I kind of cringed at this. I’ve been a hiring manager fo a long time — hired over 20 people in the last 10 years — and hate when people did this and pretty much ignored them. It seems so much like trying to jump around the system but maybe I’m just not playing the game?

This job market is so tough right now and I want to do whatever I can to get a new job but also don’t want to totally annoy someone.

What are others doing?

[Anonymous]

go ahead it can't hurt, but as a hiring manager for a big tech firm i literally have 500 candidates to one role and can't answer linkedin in unless i see that your resume stands out

[Anonymous]

I’ve never had someone who reached out cold from LinkedIn actually be a stellar candidate. They were fine, at best.

[Anonymous]

It’s not totally cringey. I know people who have had success with the approach especially if the internal recruitment team that is funneling resumes is mediocre. As a hiring manager, I am going to 1)look at your profile 2) respond only if I think you’re background is Amazing. Just know that going in. But have at it.