Connecting with your interviewer on LinkedIn after an interview can be a strategic move that may improve your chances of getting hired. Here are some things to consider when deciding whether to send that LinkedIn connection request.
The Quick Answer
In most cases, it’s appropriate and advisable to connect with your interviewers on LinkedIn, as long as you do it thoughtfully. Sending a connection request demonstrates your continued interest in the role and company. It also opens up the possibility for you to strengthen your candidacy by keeping in touch. However, you’ll want to wait a few days after the interview, personalize your request with a note, and only connect if you’re sincerely interested in working there.
The Benefits of Connecting on LinkedIn
Here are some of the main benefits of connecting with your interviewers on LinkedIn:
- Shows you’re still interested in the role. Sending a LinkedIn request signals that you’re still enthusiastic about the job opportunity after your interview. This keeps you top of mind as a candidate.
- Opens up communication. Once connected on LinkedIn, it becomes easier for you and the interviewer to message each other to follow up or ask questions. This facilitates further dialogue.
- Demonstrates your professionalism. Connecting on LinkedIn in a thoughtful, strategic way underscores your professional approach and interest in maintaining the relationship.
- Helps you stand out. Taking the extra step to connect and engage with your interviewers makes you more memorable compared to candidates who do the bare minimum post-interview.
- Allows you to strengthen your candidacy. After connecting, you can leverage your LinkedIn communications to share additional materials, address areas of concern, and position yourself as an ideal fit for the role.
When to Send the LinkedIn Request
It’s best to wait a few days after your interview to send a LinkedIn connection request. This gives the dust from the interview a chance to settle. It also prevents you from appearing overly anxious or aggressive. Some guidelines on timing:
- Wait at least 2-3 days post-interview before sending a request. This gives your interviewers time to collect their thoughts without feeling crowded.
- Try to connect within 1-2 weeks after the interview. You still want to act while the interview is relatively fresh in people’s minds.
- If you haven’t heard back after 2 weeks, sending a request may help prompt a response or provide an opening to check in.
- When in doubt, aim for 5-7 days post-interview as an ideal window to connect. Not too soon, but still timely.
How to Send the LinkedIn Request
It’s important to customize your LinkedIn request and not use LinkedIn’s standard language. Here are some tips for making your request professional and memorable:
- Personalize the request with a brief note reminding them who you are. Mention when and for what role you interviewed.
- Express your appreciation for their time interviewing and sharing insights about the role and company.
- Reiterate your interest in the position and enthusiasm for the company. Link back to key things that excite you about the opportunity.
- Close by saying you look forward to staying in touch and learning more. This leaves the door open for further communication.
Keeping your request short, positive, and thoughtful establishes the right tone for an ongoing professional connection after the interview.
Who to Connect With
Use your judgement on which interviewers to connect with on LinkedIn after your interview. Some guidelines:
- Definitely connect with the main hiring manager or interviewer coordinating the process.
- Connect with key senior members of the team that you met, if the interviews felt warm and engaging.
- Avoid connecting with HR contacts or coordinators that simply facilitated the logistics but didn’t actually interview you.
- Omit any interviewers that seemed disengaged or skeptical about your background. Don’t force a connection.
- Focus on no more than 3-5 strategic connections to avoid overwhelming people with requests.
The goal is to thoughtfully strengthen connections with those most enthusiastic about your potential contribution. Avoid spamming the entire interview committee if some seemed less receptive.
What if They Don’t Accept your Request?
If your interviewer does not accept your LinkedIn request, do not take it as an outright rejection. There are many possible reasons they may not have connected, including:
- They limit LinkedIn connections to people they know and work with directly.
- They missed the request amongst a busy inbox.
- They avoid connecting with candidates until the hiring process finishes to remain impartial.
- Other priorities made them neglect non-essential LinkedIn relationship building.
Therefore, an unaccepted request alone does not necessarily reflect poorly on you or your candidacy. Continue nurturing the relationship through other communication channels as appropriate.
Alternative Ways to Connect
If you are unsure about sending a direct LinkedIn request, there are subtle alternative ways to open up communication channels post-interview:
- Follow them on LinkedIn without explicitly asking to connect. This still enables you to see updates and leave comments.
- Send a follow-up email thanking them and reiterating your interest in the role and company.
- Connect via other social media platforms if appropriate, such as following them on Twitter and interacting with updates there.
- Engage by liking and commenting on their LinkedIn posts to gradually increase your visibility and familiarity as a candidate.
Used strategically, these indirect engagement tactics can supplement or potentially replace sending an actual connection invitation.
When Not to Connect on LinkedIn
There are some scenarios where it may be best to refrain from connecting on LinkedIn after an interview:
- If you have clearly lost interest in the role and are no longer a serious candidate.
- If you received definitively negative feedback or clear rejection after the interview.
- If the interviewers or environment seemed very cold, disengaged, or unreceptive to building connections.
- If you have already connected and communicated further via email or phone, and don’t want to overdo it.
Use good judgement based on social cues during the interview process. Avoid forcing a LinkedIn connection if the dynamic doesn’t feel right.
Putting It All Together
Connecting with your interviewers on LinkedIn can add value after an interview by keeping you top of mind, facilitating communication, and enabling you to strengthen your candidacy over time. Be thoughtful about when and how you send the request, personalize your message, and focus on building bridges with engaged stakeholders. But also recognize rejection of your request does not necessarily reflect poorly on you. With some strategic follow-up, a post-interview LinkedIn request done right can boost your chances of ultimately getting hired.