How to connect with hiring manager on LinkedIn after rejection?

Getting rejected for a job you really wanted can be disappointing and frustrating. However, it’s important not to view the rejection as a complete dead end. Oftentimes, there are still opportunities to move forward in the process by connecting with the hiring manager on LinkedIn.

Why connect with the hiring manager after rejection?

There are a few key reasons why it can be valuable to connect with the hiring manager on LinkedIn even if they initially rejected you:

• Shows you’re still interested in opportunities at the company
• Opens the door for future job openings
• Allows you to get feedback and learn for next time
• Lets you build your professional network

Connecting post-rejection keeps you on the hiring manager’s radar and nurtures an ongoing professional relationship. It turns the rejection into an opportunity rather than a dead end. As long as you approach the connection professionally, there is relatively little downside.

How to connect with the hiring manager

When reaching out to connect on LinkedIn after a rejection, follow these best practices:

1. Wait at least 2 weeks – Let some time pass before making the request to be respectful and not appear overeager.
2. Craft a professional message – Briefly reintroduce yourself and your interest in opportunities at the company.
3. Be gracious – Thank the hiring manager for their time and consideration during the interview process.
4. Express interest in staying connected – Say you’d appreciate the chance to connect on LinkedIn and keep in touch regarding future roles.
5. Ask for feedback (optional) – If appropriate, politely ask for any feedback they may have on your candidacy.
6. Proofread carefully – Double check for typos and errors before sending.

Here is a template message you can adapt:

Dear [Hiring Manager Name],

Best regards,
[Your Name]

The key is to be professional, positive, and focused on future opportunities rather than past rejections. This sets the right tone for an ongoing connection.

What to avoid when connecting post-rejection

There are a few things you will want to avoid when reaching out after a job rejection:

• Venting frustrations – Don’t use the note to complain about the rejection.
• Aggressive follow-ups – Don’t bug the hiring manager if they don’t respond.
• Formal appeals – Don’t argue why you should have been hired.
• Oversharing – Keep things focused on professional interests.

You want to come across as mature, positive, and forward-thinking rather than upset over the rejection or overly aggressive in Follow-up. Maintain a polite, professional tone.

Following up after connecting

Once you’ve connected on LinkedIn, you can follow up periodically with the hiring manager by:

• Commenting on their updates and posts – This shows active engagement.
• Sharing relevant articles – Choose articles about their company and industry.
• Congratulating promotions – Message them for major career updates.
• Following the company page – Like and comment on company posts.

This shows you have a genuine, ongoing interest in the company. Avoid overly aggressive follow-up messages and allow the manager to dictate the frequency of communication.

Next steps if you get positive responses

If the hiring manager engages positively when you connect on LinkedIn, you can explore next steps like:

• Scheduling an informational interview – This allows you to learn more about the company and position from the manager.
• Discussing future opportunities – The manager may give you a heads up about new roles coming down the pipeline.
• Getting added to their talent network – You can opt into job alerts for when positions open up.
• Connecting with other leaders – Ask if you can expand your network by connecting with others at the company.
• Following up on feedback – Use any constructive feedback to improve for future positions.

By converting the rejection into an ongoing connection, you open the door for mutually beneficial next steps with the hiring manager.

When to move on from the connection

If you are not getting positive responses or engagement from the hiring manager after connecting several times on LinkedIn, consider respectfully moving on. Signs it may be time to stop connecting include:

• The manager ignores your connection requests
• Your messages consistently go unanswered
• The manager declines your requests to meet or talk
• You have messaged several times with no reply
• The manager disconnects from you on LinkedIn

At that point, it is usually best to stop reaching out and focus your energy elsewhere. Avoid potential irritation or misperceptions about your intent if the interest is clearly not mutual.

Connecting with other employees

If the direct hiring manager does not seem receptive, consider connecting with other professionals at the company on LinkedIn, such as:

• HR managers and recruiters
• Team members you interviewed with
• Leaders in your desired department
• Recent alumni from your university or program

Expanding your connections more broadly at the company increases your visibility for future openings. Just be sure to personalize connection requests rather than spamming employees.

Tips for getting accepted

To increase your chances of the hiring manager accepting your LinkedIn connection request:

• Customize the request with a note – Don’t use LinkedIn’s generic messaging.
• Highlight common ground – Mention shared schools, experiences, contacts, etc.
• Follow up if needed – Politely follow up if you don’t get a response after 2 weeks.
• Show your value – Share ideas and content that would interest them.
• Build rapport first – Connect in person if possible before requesting to connect online.

Taking these steps show you are making a sincere effort to establish an ongoing professional relationship beyond just expanding your network.

Don’t get discouraged

If your requests get rejected or ignored, don’t get too discouraged. Focus on opportunities with other companies and maintain your professional poise. With persistence, you can often find other professionals at the company who may be more receptive to connecting on LinkedIn after a rejection. Timing and circumstances also change, so remain open to future possibilities.

This table summarizes guidelines on optimal timing for the various steps in connecting with the hiring manager on LinkedIn after a rejection.

Managing emotions around rejection

Getting turned down for a desired job can be an emotional experience. However, it’s important not to let those feelings negatively impact your outreach. Some tips include:

• Letting some time pass – Don’t connect while still feeling raw emotions about the rejection.
• Venting to others first – Talk through your frustrations separately before contacting the manager.
• Reframing the narrative – View it as an opportunity to learn and grow, not a personal failure.
• Planning your communication – Carefully draft your messages when in a positive state of mind.

By approaching the process calmly and strategically, you come across as mature and professional versus emotional.

Sample outreach templates

Here are some sample messaging templates you can adapt when reaching out to connect with the hiring manager who rejected you:

Template #1:

Dear [Name],

I appreciated getting to meet with you regarding the [Role] position at [Company]. I completely understand your decision to move forward with another candidate. I was impressed by my interactions with you and the team and remain enthusiastic about the work [Company] is doing. I would welcome the opportunity to connect on LinkedIn to keep in touch regarding any future opportunities that may be a fit. Please let me know if you have any other feedback that would help me in my ongoing job search. I look forward to staying in touch.

Best,
[Your Name]

Template #2:

Hi [Name],

I wanted to thank you again for taking the time to interview me for the [Role] role at [Company]. I really enjoyed learning more about the position and your team. Although I’m disappointed not to move forward at this time, I completely respect your decision to hire another candidate. [Company] seems like an amazing place to work. I’d appreciate the chance to connect here on LinkedIn to continue the conversation and stay connected for future opportunities. Please let me know if there is any additional feedback you have that could help me in my job search. I look forward to staying in touch!

Best regards,
[Your Name]

Template #3:

Dear [Name],

I appreciated speaking with you recently about the [Role] opportunity at [Company]. While I’m disappointed not to be moving forward in the process, I wanted to thank you for the consideration and your time throughout the interviews. [Company] seems like an innovative leader in the space. I would welcome the chance to connect here on LinkedIn to continue the conversation and keep in touch regarding other opportunities that arise in the future. Please feel free to provide any additional feedback you may have on my qualifications that could help me in my ongoing job search. I look forward to staying connected!

Sincerely,
[Your Name]

Tailor these templates to fit your specific situation – the role, company, and details of your interactions. Keep the tone polite, gracious, and focused on future opportunities to make the best impression.

Pro tips for success

Here are some additional pro tips to increase your likelihood of success when connecting post-rejection:

• Research the company’s culture and values before reaching out. Reference things that resonate with you or align with your background.
• If you have contacts at the company, consider asking for an introductory email or LinkedIn recommendation to help provide credibility.
• Personalize your messages and connection requests by referring to specifics from your conversations with the hiring manager.
• Offer to provide helpful connections, resources or ideas that would aid the hiring manager or company based on their needs you learned about during the interview process.
• Don’t overshare or get into personal matters – keep the focus on professional interests and opportunities.
• After connecting, share relevant content like company updates, industry news, events, etc. to show your interests.
• Be patient and don’t get frustrated by lack of response. Persistence combined with professionalism is key.
• If you do get re-interviewed in the future, come prepared to discuss how you would approach the role differently and improve upon the past.

Taking these proactive steps will help you stand out and turn the job rejection into a networking opportunity.

Key takeaways

Connecting with the hiring manager who rejected you on LinkedIn can be an effective way to stay on their radar for future roles. Keep these best practices in mind:

• Wait at least 2 weeks before reaching out
• Craft a gracious, professional message focused on future opportunities
• Avoid negativity or complaints about the rejection
• Follow up periodically with relevant content and comments
• Move on if the manager is disengaged after a few outreach attempts
• Connect with other professionals at the company as well

With persistence and positivity, you can turn rejections into ongoing networking relationships. This increases your chances of future opportunities at companies high on your wish list.

Conclusion

Navigating the job search process inevitably involves some disappointments like rejections. However, focusing on building networking relationships minimizes wasted effort. Connecting post-rejection demonstrates maturity, professionalism, and strategic relationship building. Instead of a dead end, staying connected on LinkedIn can lead to insider information on future roles, renewed consideration, and other career benefits. Approach every interaction as an opportunity to learn and grow.