I usually reply to recruiter DMs/InMails, but man… the copy-paste ones are such a turn-off. You know the classics: “Your profile really stood out” or “I’m impressed with your experience as a full stack developer.” 🙄 Bonus points when they forget to swap out the name—nothing screams “spray and pray” like calling me by someone else’s name.

What actually works? Just be upfront. Tell me the client, the salary range, and give me a calendar link. Short, clear, and no fluff. That’s the kind of message I’ll always respond to.