Connecting with someone on LinkedIn after an interview can be tricky. You want to maintain professionalism and avoid being too pushy, while still expressing continued interest in the role. In most cases, a brief, polite request to connect is appropriate. Here are some tips for what to say when reaching out on LinkedIn after an interview.
Keep It Short and Simple
A LinkedIn connection request after an interview should be concise and straightforward. Something like this works well:
“Hi [Name], I wanted to connect with you here on LinkedIn after our interview on [date]. I enjoyed learning more about the [position] role at [company] and am very interested in joining the team. Please let me know if I can provide you with any other information. I look forward to staying in touch!”
This covers the key points – reminding them of when you interviewed, expressing your continued interest, and offering to provide more details if needed. Avoid sending a generic connection request with no message, which can come across as lazy.
Thank Them for Their Time
It’s always a nice gesture to thank the interviewer for taking the time to meet with you. Something like this works for a follow up:
“Hi [Name], Thank you again for taking the time to interview me last week for the [position] role at [company]. It was great to learn more about the team and responsibilities. I’m very enthusiastic about the opportunity and wanted to connect on LinkedIn to keep in touch.”
Thanking them for their time and consideration shows you truly appreciated the interview. It also displays confidence that you were a strong candidate they likely want to keep in consideration.
Reiterate Your Qualifications
You can subtly restate why you are a great fit for this role by mentioning relevant qualifications. For example:
“Hi [Name], I wanted to reach out after my interview on [date] for the [position] role. As we discussed, I believe my background in [relevant experience] would enable me to excel in this position. I greatly enjoyed learning more about [company] and the role. I’d love to stay connected here on LinkedIn.”
This reminds the interviewer of your top qualifications without overtly boasting. It also shows you were engaged in the conversation and understood the role’s responsibilities.
Express Enthusiasm for the Role
Letting the interviewer know you are genuinely excited about the opportunity can give you an edge over other candidates. For example:
“Hi [Name], I truly appreciate you taking the time to interview me for the [position] role at [company]. After learning more, I’m even more enthusiastic about the opportunity to join your team. I wanted to connect on LinkedIn to express my continued strong interest in the role. Please let me know if there is anything else I can provide to support my application.”
Stating your enthusiasm emphasizes why you want this specific role, not just any job. It shows you are motivated and eager to take on the responsibilities.
Ask About Next Steps
It can be appropriate to politely ask about timeline and next steps in the process. For example:
“Hi [Name], I really enjoyed our conversation about the [position] role and learning more about the goals for the team. Do you have an estimated timeline for next steps in the hiring process? I’m excited about the opportunity to join [company] and want to be respectful of your schedule.”
This shows eagerness to move forward, while still being professional. Just be careful not to come across as too pushy or demanding.
Connect With Other Team Members
If you connected well with multiple people during your interview, it can be strategic to reach out to others beyond the main hiring manager. For example:
“Hi [Name], It was a pleasure meeting with you and the rest of the [team/department] last week during my interview for the [position] role. I wanted to connect with you here on LinkedIn as I really enjoyed learning more about the work you’re doing. Please let me know if I can provide any other details about my background and interest in this opportunity.”
Connecting with the broader team you met shows your interest in collaborating with all of your potential coworkers. It also gives you more visibility within the company.
Follow Up After Applying
If you want to connect on LinkedIn after applying for a job (before an interview), you can say something like:
“Hi [Name], I recently applied for the open [position] role at [company] and believe I would be a great fit for the team. I wanted to connect with you here on LinkedIn and learn more about your experience working at [company]. Please let me know if I can provide any additional information about my background and interest in this opportunity.”
This works well to establish an initial connection and get on their radar. Just avoid being too aggressive about asking for an interview before they have had time to review applications.
Key Tips
Here are some final tips for connecting on LinkedIn after an interview:
- Keep it brief – 2-3 sentences is plenty.
- Remind them when and for what role you interviewed.
- Thank the interviewer for their time.
- Express continued interest and enthusiasm for the role.
- Highlight relevant qualifications and experience.
- Politely ask about timeline for next steps if needed.
- Consider connecting with other hiring managers and team members.
- Maintain professionalism – no emojis or overly casual language.
Sample Follow Up Messages
Here are some sample LinkedIn connection messages you can use as templates after an interview:
Message |
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Hi [Name], I wanted to connect with you here on LinkedIn after our interview yesterday for the [position] role at [company]. I really enjoyed learning more about the team and responsibilities. I’m very interested in the opportunity and hope to hear back soon regarding next steps. Please let me know if you need any additional information from me. Looking forward to staying in touch! |
Hello [Name], Thank you again for taking the time last week to interview me for the [position] position at [company]. It was wonderful to meet with you and learn more about the role. I’m very enthusiastic about the opportunity to join your team. I hoped we could connect here on LinkedIn to keep in touch throughout the hiring process. Please let me know if you need anything else from me. I look forward to hearing from you soon. |
Hi [Name], I wanted to reach out after our interview on [date] for the [position] opening. As we discussed, my background in [relevant skills/experience] makes me an excellent fit for this opportunity. I greatly enjoyed learning more about the role and [company]. I’d love to stay connected here on LinkedIn as the hiring process moves forward. Feel free to reach out if you need any other information from me. Talk soon! |
Conclusion
Connecting with your interviewer on LinkedIn after an interview is a great way to stay visible and demonstrate continued interest in the role. Be polite, professional, and concise when reaching out. Highlight your relevant qualifications and enthusiasm for the position. With the right approach, connecting on LinkedIn can strengthen your candidacy and help you land the job.