Getting rejected after a job interview can be disappointing. However, it’s important not to take it personally. The interviewer likely had to choose among many qualified candidates. Adding the interviewer on LinkedIn can be a strategic move to stay connected and position yourself for future opportunities. Here are some tips on how to go about it gracefully.
Should you add the interviewer on LinkedIn after being rejected?
In most cases, it is appropriate to add the interviewer on LinkedIn, even if they gave you the bad news of rejection. Staying connected keeps you on their radar for future job openings or networking opportunities. Unless the interviewer specifically said not to contact them again, there is no reason not to connect on LinkedIn.
That said, timing and etiquette still matter. Don’t send an invite immediately after getting the rejection call or email. Wait a few weeks or longer before reaching out. This avoids looking desperate or like you’re questioning their decision. A month or two later, adding them is a harmless way to stay in touch.
How to send a LinkedIn invite after getting rejected
When you’re ready to connect on LinkedIn, send a personalized invite mentioning where you met. For example:
“Hi [name], I enjoyed meeting you during the interview process for [position] at [company]. I wanted to connect on LinkedIn to keep in touch. While the role wasn’t the right fit this time, I’m interested in opportunities at [company] in the future.”
This shows professionalism and grace. It acknowledges you didn’t get the job, while expressing interest in the company and interviewer. This leaves the door open down the road.
Only send an invite if you have their name and contact information. Don’t try looking them up if these details weren’t provided. This comes across as intrusive.
What to avoid when connecting post-rejection
There are a few things to avoid when reaching out on LinkedIn after rejection:
- Don’t send an invitation immediately. Wait a few weeks to re-connect.
- Don’t question or complain about the rejection. Accept the interviewer’s decision gracefully.
- Don’t aggressively push for feedback. The interviewer may not be able to provide more details.
- Don’t over-message them. The LinkedIn connection itself is sufficient.
- Don’t ask about future job openings. Be patient and let opportunities arise organically.
As long as you remain professional, an invitation soon after rejection is perfectly acceptable. Just be mindful of timing and tone.
Following up after connecting on LinkedIn
After connecting, you can follow up periodically with polite check-ins. For example, commenting on one of their posts to say hello. However, avoid being overly assertive about asking for future referrals or recommendations right away.
A better approach is to nurture the new connection over time. Like and comment on their content when relevant. Share articles or news they may find interesting. This shows you bring value as part of their professional network.
If they end up leaving the company, you can reach out to catch up and ask how their new role is going. With patient relationship-building, the connection can eventually become a career ally.
Other ways to stay in touch after rejection
Beyond LinkedIn, there are a few other polite ways to remain on the interviewer’s radar after they reject you:
- Send a follow-up email thanking them for their time and consideration.
- Connect with the interviewer and/or company on social media.
- Check the company website routinely for open positions to re-apply to.
- Sign up for job alerts to get notified about relevant openings.
- Attend industry events and conferences to potentially run into the interviewer.
The key is to stay professional at all times. With the right etiquette, connecting post-rejection can be an opportunity, not a setback.
When it’s better not to connect on LinkedIn after rejection
In some cases, it may be wiser not to reach out on LinkedIn if the job interview experience was particularly negative. For example:
- If the interviewer made inappropriate or discriminatory comments.
- If you received hostile or abusive treatment during the interview process.
- If the rejection conversation included personal insults or unprofessional criticism.
- If the company has a notoriously toxic work culture with red flags.
Any of these warrant skipping the LinkedIn invite and moving on. Additionally, if the rejection came after just a preliminary phone screen, there’s less incentive to connect.
Use good judgment based on how much time you invested and how pleasant the experience was. If the interview process didn’t go well, focus your energy elsewhere.
Key takeaways
Adding an interviewer on LinkedIn after rejection is often a smart professional move as long as you follow these guidelines:
- Wait a few weeks before sending the invite.
- Craft a polite message referencing the interview process.
- Avoid complaining or aggressively asking for feedback.
- Focus on relationship-building over the long-term.
- Skip connecting only if the experience was very negative.
With the right etiquette, connecting after rejection can position you for future opportunities and expand your network. Be patient, strategic, and professional.
