Sending a thank you email after an interview or meeting has long been considered a best practice when job searching. However, with the rise of professional networking sites like LinkedIn, job seekers now have more options for how to send their thank you notes.
Some recruiters and hiring managers prefer a traditional email thank you, while others appreciate the gesture of a LinkedIn message. So should you send a thank you email through LinkedIn? Here’s what you need to know.
The case for sending a LinkedIn thank you
Sending a thank you message via LinkedIn has a few potential advantages:
- It continues the conversation in the same place where you likely connected with the hiring manager initially.
- It adds to your existing message thread or connection history with that person.
- It enables you to easily include a customized connection request if you did not already connect after the interview.
- The hiring manager may check LinkedIn more frequently than email.
Additionally, a LinkedIn thank you note can showcase thoughtfulness and your interest in strengthening ties with the company. You’re essentially asking to further develop your professional relationship after the interview.
The case for sending an email thank you
On the other hand, here are some reasons why a traditional email thank you may be better:
- Email is more formal and traditional.
- The hiring manager may not check LinkedIn as frequently as email.
- Email thank you notes do not have character limits.
- Email provides privacy that a public platform like LinkedIn does not.
- Following up by email shows you went out of your way to express thanks rather than relying solely on LinkedIn.
Crafting a thoughtful, personalized email thank you demonstrates effort and attention to detail. Since you likely exchanged emails to set up the interview, following up by email can provide a seamless experience.
Best practices for LinkedIn and email thank you notes
If you decide to send a LinkedIn or email message, here are some best practices to follow:
LinkedIn thank you notes
- Send within 24 hours of the interview.
- Keep it brief but personalized – LinkedIn has a 1300 character limit.
- Remind them of where and when you met.
- Reiterate your interest and fit for the role.
- Add something unique you discussed or connected on.
- Include a customized connection request if you did not already connect.
- Use proper grammar and proofread thoroughly.
Email thank you notes
- Send within 24 hours of the interview.
- Use a professional subject line including your name, the role, and the company.
- Include the interviewer’s proper name, title, and company address.
- Keep the note concise at 3-4 paragraphs.
- Remind them of where and when you met.
- Reiterate your interest, fit, and key qualifications for the role.
- Mention something unique you discussed or connected on.
- Express your appreciation for their time and consideration.
- Use proper grammar, spellcheck, and proofread thoroughly.
Key points to make in a LinkedIn or email thank you
Regardless of the medium, effective thank you notes typically share these elements:
- Appreciation for the interviewer’s time.
- Enthusiasm for the role and company.
- Reminder of where and when you met.
- Summary of one or two key discussion points.
- Statement of your qualifications and interest in the position.
- Reference to something unique you connected on.
You want to come across as professional, thoughtful, and truly interested in working at the company.
Should you send both a LinkedIn message and email?
Is it overkill to send both a LinkedIn message and email thank you? Here are some factors to consider:
- Did you already connect on LinkedIn? If so, an additional LinkedIn message may be redundant.
- Do you get the sense they prefer LinkedIn or email correspondence? Tailor to their preference.
- Sending both may come across as trying too hard, unless executed thoughtfully.
- The hiring manager may not appreciate duplicate outreach.
- Consider sending just one or the other unless you have additional value to add.
However, here are some scenarios where sending both could make sense:
- The messages have different purposes – i.e. a short LinkedIn note and longer email.
- You did not already connect on LinkedIn and want to add them.
- You have not heard back after sending just one.
- You want to reiterate your interest and qualification before they make a decision.
Sample thank you email template
Here is a sample template you can adapt for your own thank you email after an interview:
Subject line: Thank you for the [Position] interview
Dear [Interviewer Name],
Thank you for taking the time to speak with me yesterday about the [position name] role at [company name]. It was a pleasure learning more about the position and discussing how my background and qualifications align with your goals for this hire.
I’m very excited about the prospect of joining your team. Our conversation confirmed my interest in [company name] and enthusiasm for contributing to [specific project or initiative] in particular. I believe my skills in [key qualification 1], [key qualification 2], and [key qualification 3] would enable me to add value in that area and drive success.
I really appreciated you sharing more details about the company culture and values as well. It resonated with me that [example of something that resonated] is central to how your team operates.
Thank you again for considering me for this opportunity. Please feel free to reach out if I can provide any other information. I look forward to hearing from you soon regarding your hiring decision.
Best regards,
[Your name]
Should you follow up if you don’t get a response?
If you do not receive any acknowledgment of your thank you message, should you follow up? Here are some tips on next steps:
- Wait at least one full business day before any follow up.
- A friendly reminder is acceptable but avoid sounding entitled or pushy.
- Keep the follow up brief, such as “Hi [name], I wanted to circle back regarding the thank you note I sent…
- If you still get no response, it may signal they moved on with other candidates.
- Continue networking and looking for other opportunities in case it doesn’t work out.
However, lack of response does not definitively mean you’re out of contention. Hiring processes can sometimes take weeks or longer. The key is balancing persistence with patience.
Thank you note alternatives
Beyond an email or LinkedIn message, here are some other thank you note options to consider:
Handwritten note
A handwritten note stands out and indicates you went above and beyond. But make sure your handwriting is legible if going this route.
Video message
Recording a short thank you video enables you to showcase enthusiasm and personality. Keep it professional with solid eye contact, framing, and attire.
Personalized gift
You can mail a small gift if appropriate, such as something connected to a discussion you had. But gifts should not be expensive or overly personal.
Phone call
A phone call follow up can work but get permission first and keep it brief. Don’t leave a voicemail since they may not check them often.
Key takeaways
Here are some key points to remember about thank you notes:
- Send your note within 24 hours of an interview or meeting.
- Craft a personalized message, not a generic template.
- Stick to proper grammar, spelling, and brevity.
- Send via email or LinkedIn depending on their preferences.
- Follow up if needed but avoid sounding entitled.
- Reflect your interest, qualifications, appreciation, and fit.
With the right strategy, a thank you message can strengthen your candidacy and set you apart from other applicants after an interview. Just make sure your note hits the right tone between professionalism, thoughtfulness, and conciseness. With a little finesse, it can help you make the perfect post-interview impression.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should you send a thank you note to multiple interviewers?
If you interviewed with multiple people, it’s best to send each person an individualized thank you note. Make sure to personalize details and discussion points specific to how you connected with each interviewer. If you interviewed with a panel or large group, you can send one note addressing them collectively.
When is the best time to send a thank you?
Ideally, try to send your thank you note within 24 hours of finishing the interview. This preserves the details fresh in your mind and shows prompt initiative. For interviews early in the day, you can even send the same day. Just don’t wait longer than a day or two.
What if you don’t have contact info for the interviewer?
If you didn’t obtain your interviewer’s email or LinkedIn during the interview itself, you can try contacting the company’s HR department or the internal recruiter who scheduled it. Let them know you’d like to send a thank you note and request the interviewer’s contact information. Most will provide it to support your follow up.
Should you send a handwritten note?
A handwritten thank you note can certainly make a great impression if done thoughtfully. Just make sure it’s legible, includes relevant details, and reaches them in a timely manner. Pairing a handwritten note with an email provides added insurance they receive your message promptly.
Is a thank you necessary if they say you’ll hear back soon?
Even if an interviewer indicates you’ll receive an update in the coming days or week, following up with a thank you note is still recommended. It keeps you top of mind, continues the conversation, and reinforces your interest in the role. Unless explicitly told one is not needed, a thank you is still a smart move.
Conclusion
Sending a thank you message after an interview, meeting, or other career interaction is a well-established etiquette practice. With today’s rise of LinkedIn, job seekers have more options when it comes to how they can follow up and show appreciation. The consensus is to tailor your thank you medium – whether email, LinkedIn, handwritten, or even a video message – to the preferences and habits of the recipient. With a gracious, professional tone and personalized details, a thank you note can strengthen your candidacy and help clinch that coveted job offer.
