Thanking a recruiter on LinkedIn after an interview or when they have helped you in your job search is a thoughtful gesture that can go a long way in building and maintaining professional relationships. However, there are some best practices to follow when crafting your thank-you message to ensure it comes across as genuine and makes a good impression. In this comprehensive guide, we will cover why you should thank recruiters, when to send a thank-you, how to format your message, what to include in your note, as well as providing thank-you letter templates and examples to help you create the perfect post-interview or job search thank-you message.
Why Should You Thank a Recruiter on LinkedIn?
Here are some of the key reasons why taking the time to thank your recruiter contact on LinkedIn is worth doing:
- It’s the polite, professional thing to do – Just like you would send a thank-you after an interview, extending gratitude on LinkedIn makes you look organized, courteous and thoughtful.
- It keeps you top of mind – Sending a customized message helps remind the recruiter of your qualities and skills, which is useful in competitive hiring processes.
- It continues building your relationship – A thank-you note on LinkedIn allows you to stay connected with recruiters in your network and cultivate an ongoing, mutually beneficial association.
- It shows you value their time and effort – When a recruiter has scheduled time for a screening call or helped prepare you for an interview, thanking them recognizes their role.
- It can strengthen your candidacy – A prompt, well-written thank-you note reflects positively on you as an eager, engaged candidate.
Making the effort to share your appreciation for a recruiter’s guidance can go a long way in advancing your candidacy and leaving a great impression.
When Should You Send a LinkedIn Thank You?
It’s important to know the right timing for sending your LinkedIn thank-you message to a recruiter or hiring manager. Here are some common situations when sending a note is recommended:
- After an initial phone screen – If a recruiter has taken time to screen you as a potential candidate, thank them for their consideration.
- Following an in-person interview – Always send a thank-you after interviewing on-site at a company.
- When they’ve referred you for a role – If a recruiter in your network puts you forward for an opportunity, thank them for the referral.
- After they’ve provided advice – If a recruiter has given you guidance, tips or coaching, show your appreciation.
- When applying through an agency – Thank the agency recruiters who have helped facilitate the application process.
As a rule of thumb, try to send your LinkedIn thank-you within 24 hours of any recruiter interaction. Quick follow-up is essential for making an impact.
How to Format Your LinkedIn Thank You Message
Structuring your recruiter thank-you note correctly is key for conveying professionalism and respect. Follow these best practices:
- Send it through LinkedIn messaging, not their personal email.
- Use a clear, descriptive subject line like “Thank You for Interviewing Me”.
- Begin with a formal address like “Dear [Name]”.
- Keep it concise at 3-5 paragraphs max.
- Use a professional closing such as “Best regards”.
- Proofread thoroughly before sending.
- Send individually customized messages, not generic notes.
Treating your LinkedIn thank-you as a professional communication reflective of your personal brand is key. Taking the time to get the details right will make an impression.
What to Include in Your LinkedIn Thank You Message
When crafting your thank-you message, you’ll want to incorporate several elements:
Express Appreciation
Begin by thanking the recruiter for their time and consideration. For example:
“Thank you for taking the time to interview me yesterday for the Social Media Manager role at XYZ Company.”
Mention Specifics
Provide details about which position you interviewed for and when:
“I appreciated you arranging the interview with the hiring team on Friday, September 30th to discuss the Project Coordinator opening.”
This shows you are organized and professional.
Reinforce Your Interest
Restate your enthusiasm for the potential opportunity:
“I want to reaffirm my strong interest in the Sales Associate role and working for ABC Company.”
Highlight Qualifications
Remind the recruiter of your relevant skills, experience and cultural fit:
“As we discussed, my 5 years of social media management experience would allow me to excel in this position. And I believe my creativity aligns well with the company’s innovative approach.”
Express Thanks Again
Close by reiterating your gratitude and appreciation:
“Thank you again for your time and consideration. I greatly appreciated learning from you.”
LinkedIn Thank You Message Templates
Here are some template examples you can use as a starting point for crafting your own LinkedIn recruiter thank-you notes:
After Initial Screening Call
Dear [Recruiter Name],
Thank you for taking the time to speak with me yesterday about potential opportunities at [Company Name]. It was a pleasure learning more about the [Job Title] role and your team’s goals for this position. Our conversation made me even more excited about the prospect of contributing my skills and experience to your organization. I look forward to hearing from you regarding next steps. Please do not hesitate to reach out if you need any additional information from me. Talking with you reinforced my enthusiasm for [Company Name]. I appreciate you considering me for this opportunity.
Best regards,
[Your Name]
After In-Person Interview
Dear [Recruiter Name],
I wanted to follow up and thank you again for facilitating my interview yesterday with [Hiring Manager] for the [Job Title] role at [Company Name]. I enjoyed meeting with you and the team and learning more about the position’s responsibilities and qualifications. My conversations with everyone reinforced my interest in this opportunity. I believe my [X years] of [relevant experience] would allow me to thrive in this position and support [Company Name]’s mission. Please feel free to reach out if any additional information could strengthen my candidacy. I look forward to hearing from you regarding next steps. Thank you again for your time and consideration.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
After Receiving Career Advice
Dear [Recruiter Name],
I wanted to send you a quick note to thank you again for taking time to speak with me yesterday. I really appreciated getting your insight and advice regarding [ summarize career advice received]. Our conversation gave me several great ideas to incorporate into my job search strategy. I feel motivated and better prepared to pursue roles in [field/industry] thanks to your guidance. Please feel free to contact me if you come across any appropriate opportunities that could be a good fit based on my background. I will be sure to keep you informed on my job search progress. Thanks again for your willingness to share your valuable expertise and experience – it was extremely helpful.
Best,
[Your Name]
LinkedIn Thank You Message Examples
To make crafting your own thank-you note easier, here are some real-life examples:
Thanking a Recruiter for a Referral
Hi [Recruiter Name],
I wanted to follow up and say thank you for referring me to the Regional Sales Manager role at XYZ Company last week. I had a great first interview with the Director of Sales yesterday and am excited about the prospect of progressing to the next round. I truly appreciate you thinking of me for this opportunity and putting me in touch with the right people. Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you come across any other roles in the future that could be a fit based on my sales management background. Thanks again!
Regards,
[Your Name]
Thanking After Receiving Interview Feedback
Dear [Recruiter Name],
Thank you again for taking the extra time to provide me with feedback regarding my interview for the Marketing Coordinator role at 123 Company. I really appreciated you sharing the hiring team’s thoughts on my experience level and how I could better frame my digital marketing skills. Your insights will be tremendously helpful as I continue my job search and interview preparation. Please keep me in mind for any other openings at 123 Company or feel free to provide my name as a referral. I hope we have the opportunity to work together again soon.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
Thanking a Recruiter for Their Time and Effort
Hi [Recruiter Name],
I just wanted to send you a quick note to thank you for all the time you invested over the past few weeks helping me pursue the Account Manager position at Acme Company. I sincerely appreciate you scheduling multiple screening calls, advising me on how to emphasize my client management experience and arranging the on-site interviews. Although I was not ultimately selected for this particular role, I valued getting to know the team through this process. Please keep me in mind if any other relevant opportunities arise that could be a potential fit. Thank you again for your support and guidance during this job search. I hope we can stay in touch.
Best,
[Your Name]
Tips for Writing a Great LinkedIn Thank You Message
Follow these tips when crafting your recruiter or hiring manager thank-you note:
- Personalize each message based on the specifics of the interaction or interview.
- Strike a balance between professional gratitude and friendly tone.
- Keep it succinct yet detailed enough to remind them of who you are.
- Proofread carefully to prevent any typos or mistakes.
- Send within 24 hours of your correspondence for maximum impact.
- Follow up with a tailored thank-you after each step of the interview process.
- Mention specific skills, experience and qualifications that match the role.
- Restate your enthusiasm and interest in the position and company.
- Highlight any helpful advice the recruiter provided.
- Close by inviting further discussion and expressing appreciation.
Putting thought and care into your recruiter thank-you note can help build relationships that give your candidacy an edge.
Mistakes to Avoid When Thanking a Recruiter
While thank-you messages present an opportunity, they also risk alienating the recruiter or employer if not handled properly. Here are some mistakes to avoid:
- Making it too long with excessive flattery or details.
- Waiting too long to send it – more than 3 days shows lack of interest.
- Sending a generic message not customized to the situation.
- Forgetting to proofread for errors.
- Using overly casual language rather than professional tone.
- Asking about compensation, benefits or offer timelines.
- Stating exaggerated claims about being the ideal candidate.
- Forgetting to express gratitude and Politely sign off.
- Bringing up new qualifications not previously discussed.
- Making it about your needs rather than thanking them.
A poorly executed thank-you note can actually do more harm than good. Keep it professional, concise and focused on appreciation.
Key Takeaways
Thanking recruiters promptly and professionally after interviews, networking or when applying for new roles is essential for nurturing relationships. Follow these key tips:
- Send a customized LinkedIn message within 24 hours.
- Express genuine appreciation for their time and effort.
- Keep it succinct – no more than 3-5 paragraphs.
- Remind them of your specific qualifications and interest.
- Follow up after each stage of the interview process.
- Use a formal tone and structure.
- Mention specifics like position title and interview date.
- Close by inviting further discussion.
With the right strategy, thanking recruiters effectively on LinkedIn can build mutually beneficial professional relationships.
Conclusion
Thanking recruiters and hiring managers on LinkedIn is an essential component of job search and interview follow-up. Taking the time to send prompt, customized messages shows professionalism, appreciation and enthusiasm. Investing effort in crafting well-structured, concise thank-you notes with details that underscore your qualifications can strengthen relationships and support your candidacy. Use the templates, examples and tips in this guide to set your appreciation-focused messages apart. With the right approach, you can leave a positive, memorable impression and stand out from the crowd.