£43K → £85K Salary: How a LinkedIn Message Got Me the Job

(Plus My Cold Email & LinkedIn DM Templates)

Oct 09, 2025

If you’ve followed me for a while, you already know I don’t play when it comes to cold outreach. The job that took me from £43K to £85K salary here in the UK came from a LinkedIn message. Someone I didn’t know, had never met, referred me internally for the role and held my hand through the entire process.

Now, was she the only person I messaged for that role? Absolutely not.

I probably sent messages to 50 people for that one role. Some ignored me. Some replied weeks later. One, who’s now a friend, responded after I had already resumed the job 😂.

But that’s the point: it’s a numbers game. You only need one response.

So if you’ve ever felt awkward about cold messaging people, or you’ve sent a few and given up, this is for you.

Let’s walk through my exact process (with real examples), plus the templates I use for both LinkedIn DMs and cold emails.

🧠 The Mindset Shift

Before we talk templates, let’s talk mindset.

Here’s something that completely rewired how I approach outreach:

We procrastinate or avoid things because we focus too much on the effort it’ll take, not the result it could bring.

Instead of thinking,

“What if they don’t reply?”
Think,
“What if they do?”

Because truthfully, that one “yes” can change your entire career.

I remember in the thick of 2023, I was applying for jobs and messaging everyone, even CEOs on LinkedIn 😂

Of course, most didn’t respond.
But what if one had?

The potential results far outweigh the discomfort or disappointment of being ignored.
So let’s rewire our brains to focus on the result, not the effort.

My LinkedIn DM Approach

This is how I go about it. And please, feel free to drop your own tips in the comments, so we can all learn from each other.

Step 1: Find Your People

If I’m applying for a Product Manager role, I’ll search for “Product [Company Name]” on LinkedIn or even “Recruiter [Company Name].”

Then I filter for people I might share something in common with — same school (LSE), same background (Nigerian, Black, immigrant), or shared connections.

If I already have 1st-degree connections at the company, I DM them directly.
If not, I send a connection request with a note.

Step 2: Craft the Note (Personal > Perfect)

Here are a few real examples 👇🏾

Example 1

In this one, I went through her profile to see what she cared about and used that to craft my message. I followed up immediately once she accepted. I got an interview with the company and formed a connection with this recruiter thanks to this message.

Example 2

In this one, he accepted the connection note but said nothing, then I sent him a longer message which he hasn’t responded to till date (adding this as one of the examples of me sending messages that never got responded to - I have moreeee of these than I have those that got responses)

Example 3 (the message that got me the 85K role):

This was the exact message that got me the 85k job. She responded and took it personal. She literally held my hand through all the interview stages.

And no, she’s neither black nor Nigerian. She was a random stranger I connected with. Now, I hardly remember the 100s of messages I sent that got no response, what I remember is this one and how it helped me land my dream job with the most amazing team.

Step 3: Always Attach Your CV

You’ll notice I always attach my CV, whether it’s a cold email or LinkedIn message.

This is my updated version, the one that’s gotten me interviews at top UK companies and even 6-figure offers.

Make it easy for them to help you.

Step 4: Follow Up

Please don’t stop at one message.

People are busy. They miss things.
Follow up two or three times — politely spaced out.

Something as simple as:

“Hi [Name], just following up on my earlier message. Would love to connect if you’re open to it.”

That line alone has brought me multiple responses.

💌 My Cold Email Framework

There’s an art to reaching out to people who don’t know you and actually getting them to respond. Make it about them, not you.

And honestly there’s more room to do this when it’s an email. My favourite framework is this iconic @Mochievous’ thread from 2019 that I’ve had bookmarked since forever. I also love this tweet and a brilliant followup in 2020 from her on the topic.

But please, don’t wait till you’re perfect to start.

In my last newsletter, I mentioned how I used to cold email CEOs and board members when trying to break into product management. I recently found one of those emails (see screenshot above 😭) and all I could say was: what the helly?! 😂

But here’s the thing, if you don’t look back at your first attempts and cringe, it means you waited too long to start. Growth always looks awkward in hindsight.

Even now, I don’t craft emails that follow Moe’s framework perfectly, but I keep it in mind and keep trying regardless. Because sometimes,

perfection is just a facade that keeps you from getting things done.

👀 Coming Soon

I’m launching a mentorship cohort soon where I’ll be sharing how to:

Build your financial foundation and grow wealth confidently in the UK 💸
Position yourself for global roles and career freedom 🌍
Craft a standout LinkedIn, CV, and personal brand that attracts opportunities 💼
Land life-changing roles and partnerships through strategic outreach & networking 🤝

If this sounds like you, comment COHORT or DM me on IG @wealthfromscratch 👀

🔗 Resources:

💌 If You Found This Useful

Do me a favour: Forward this to a friend who’s job-hunting right now.

Or share this on IG and tag me @wealthfromscratch on IG when you share it, I’d love to repost you ❤️

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