Whether or not to add your interviewer on LinkedIn prior to an interview is a common question that comes up during the job search process. There are reasonable arguments on both sides of this issue. Ultimately, the decision comes down to your specific situation and personal preference.
Potential Benefits of Connecting Before the Interview
Here are some potential benefits of sending a LinkedIn connection request to your interviewer before the scheduled interview:
- It shows initiative, interest, and preparation on your part. You’ve taken the time to look up your interviewer and request a connection in advance.
- It allows you to review their full profile, experience, credentials, etc. so you can be better prepared for the types of questions they may ask.
- Sending an invite opens up a direct communication channel. You could send a polite note when requesting the connection.
- It expands your network, even if they don’t accept right away. You might connect down the road.
- It gets your name in front of them again right before the interview. This serves as a reminder.
- If they accept, it keeps you top of mind after the interview ends. You gain a new 1st degree connection.
- Access to their full profile may reveal shared connections, companies, groups, etc. This can provide talking points.
Potential Downsides of Connecting Early
Here are some potential cons or risks to connecting with the interviewer ahead of time:
- They may find it too pushy or presumptuous if you don’t have an existing relationship.
- It could come across as trying too hard to buddy up for the role rather than letting your credentials stand on their own.
- They may have privacy concerns about connecting with candidates prior to an interview.
- You lose the element of surprise if they can access your full profile before the interview.
- It could make the interview awkward if they rejected your invite but you still interview with them later.
- If you misspell their name in the request or connection note, it creates a bad first impression.
- They may not notice or have time to accept the invite beforehand anyway.
- If you connect too early (more than a week in advance), they may forget who you are by interview time.
Tips on Requesting a Connection Beforehand
If you decide to connect with your interviewer on LinkedIn before the scheduled interview, here are some tips to do it tactfully:
- Only connect shortly before the interview, ideally 2-3 days in advance at most. Don’t connect weeks early.
- Use a customized connection request note, not the generic LinkedIn auto message.
- Make the note polite, brief & professional. Mention looking forward to meeting them.
- Spell their name correctly and double check other details.
- Don’t try to connect if you’ve received explicit instructions not to beforehand.
- It may be best to avoid connecting if you already have a referral contact at the company to avoid going over their head.
- Only connect with the direct interviewer(s), not a broad list of company employees.
- Make sure your own LinkedIn profile is up-to-date before reaching out.
Following Up After the Interview
It’s generally fine and encouraged to send a LinkedIn invitation after you complete the job interview, regardless of whether you connected beforehand or not. Here are some tips for the post-interview follow up:
- Thank the interviewer for their time and consideration.
- Reiterate your interest and fit for the position.
- Mention something specific you enjoyed discussing during the interview itself.
- Keep the note brief but customized and thoughtful.
- If they didn’t accept a pre-interview invite, you could politely ask to connect again now that you’ve met. But don’t pressure.
- Only follow up once. Don’t message repeatedly if they don’t respond.
- Wait a few days after the interview before following up.
- If they seemed hesitant about connecting prior, it may be best to wait for them to initiate after the interview.
Should You Connect with Someone Who Rejected You?
If your interviewer already rejected connecting with you prior to the interview, it’s best not to send a second LinkedIn request once they reject your job application. That could come across as desperate or pushy. Instead, you can:
- Send a polite email thanking them for their time and consideration.
- Ask them for any feedback they’re willing to share on why you weren’t selected.
- Consider following their company page and interacting with occasional updates to stay engaged, without directly connecting.
- Maintain a positive, professional attitude. Don’t take the rejection personally.
- Continue networking with other contacts and applying for new openings that interest you.
- You may decide to connect in the future if you end up crossing paths again down the road.
In Summary
Connecting with your interviewers on LinkedIn prior to an interview is a personal choice. It can demonstrate initiative and preparation when done tactfully, but may also backfire or come across as too aggressive. Focus on putting your best foot forward in the interview itself. Afterward, it’s fine to follow up and request connections from those who interviewed you. Maintain professionalism if they aren’t open to connecting, and don’t take it personally. Continue networking and applying elsewhere. With the right etiquette, LinkedIn can be leveraged both before and after interviews to expand your network and opportunities over time.