I spotted a job opening I'm really interested in at a big company, but I'm not sure how to apply effectively through LinkedIn now. Do I absolutely have to use their application system, or can I send a direct message to the recruiter? And also, are cover letters still really necessary, or do people just look at the CV?
The thing is, it really depends on the context. First, how did you find the job - through LinkedIn's official application system, or did you spot it on a recruiter's profile? Because if it's an actual job posting with an "Apply" button, I'd say use that system as your main route. It's tracked, it's documented, and LinkedIn's algorithm sends your application straight into the right pipeline. Sending a direct message to the recruiter at the same time, why not, but like a few days after you've applied, not before - otherwise you risk coming across as someone trying to bypass the normal process, and that can look weird.
As for the cover letter, being real: a lot of recruiters at big companies skim the CV first, then the cover letter. But - and this matters - if you send one, make it short and punchy, not 500 words of generic intro. One or two sentences showing you actually know the company and why this role fits you, that changes everything. If you're using LinkedIn's application system, there's usually a "cover message" section - do it well, that's your chance to stand out from the other candidates who just leave it blank.
Have you identified who the recruiter or your future manager is on LinkedIn, just to see if there are any commonalities we could leverage?
On LinkedIn in 2026, sticking with the official application system is your best bet because it creates a record and that's what HR expects, especially at bigger companies - just messaging the recruiter without going through it is risky and can come across as off-brand. That said, if you actually know someone at the company or you're connected with the recruiter, then yeah, go both ways: apply through the form AND send a quick personal message to let them know you've applied (not a formal cover letter, just something warm and brief). As for cover letters, honestly, people will read them if they're short and relevant, but not a whole page - a well-crafted LinkedIn application message can totally be enough, or a two or three-line max letter that shows you actually looked at the job posting.
I've noticed that big companies scan CVs first through their automated system before any human even looks at them, so going through the official application is really necessary. But what the previous answers don't really mention is that if you have a direct contact (like the recruiter through someone you know), a short AND polite message as a follow-up can help - not to replace the application, but so your profile stands out when they filter. As for the cover letter, frankly at large companies it's often ignored, unless the job explicitly asks for written motivation.
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