After an interview, it is important to send a thoughtful follow-up message to your interviewers. A personalized LinkedIn message is an effective way to do this. The follow-up message allows you to express appreciation, reiterate your interest, provide additional information, and ask about next steps. This continues the conversation and keeps you top of mind as a candidate.
Thank the interviewers
Start your LinkedIn follow-up message by thanking your interviewers for their time. Express your appreciation for the opportunity to meet with them and discuss the role. Mention the interviewers by name to make it more personal. Let them know you enjoyed learning more about the company and position from your conversation. Thank them for sharing their insights and expertise.
Reiterate your interest
After thanking the interviewers, restate your enthusiasm for the role and the company. Say you are as interested in the position now as you were before the interview, if not more so. Explain how the interview confirmed it would be a great fit with your skills, experience, and interests. Show the interview solidified why you are an excellent match for the opportunity and inspired you about the company’s mission and work.
Highlight relevant skills and experience
Next, briefly call out one or two key skills or areas of experience that make you a strong candidate. Refer to aspects from your background that you discussed during the interview. Remind the interviewers of your relevant qualifications and how they align with the position’s requirements. You can say something like “As we discussed, my 7 years of experience driving digital marketing campaigns for consumer products would enable me to excel in this Senior Marketing Manager role.”
Answer any questions
If the interviewers asked you to follow up with any additional information or clarification on certain topics, provide those answers in your message. Demonstrate you were engaged in the discussion and interested in their questions. Supply any details you couldn’t recall or fully address during the actual interview. This shows you listened closely and follow through.
Ask about next steps
Towards the close of your message, inquire about anticipated next steps in the hiring process. Express interest in learning the planned timeline for decisions after interviewing candidates. Ask if they need any other information from you to support your application as they move forward. This helps politely nudge the process along and positions you as eager to hear their decision.
Express continued enthusiasm
Conclude your follow-up note by reiterating your strong interest in the role and the company. Say you look forward to the possibility of joining the team. Share your belief that you are an excellent fit for the position and could make immediate, meaningful contributions if selected. Let them know you look forward to hearing from them regarding next steps.
Customize for each interviewer
Personalize your LinkedIn follow-up message for each person who interviewed you, rather than sending a group message. Make references specific to what you discussed with each individual and relate to their specific position and background. This shows you made a connection with each interviewer.
Send quickly but allow time to review
Strive to send your follow-up message within 24 hours of an interview while it’s still fresh. But avoid sending it right away or late at night, as reviewers may be occupied or unavailable. Allow reasonable workday response time before following up. Sending your note the next day is ideal in most cases.
Proofread carefully
Proofread your follow-up message thoroughly before sending to check for errors. Read it aloud and run spellcheck to catch any typos or grammar issues. Ask a friend to review it with a critical eye as well. You want your note to be polished and professional.
Use a professional tone
Maintain a formal, businesslike tone in your follow-up even if the interview itself felt conversational. Use proper language, grammar, and punctuation. Convey confidence in your abilities without being overbearing. Come across as friendly but focused on your capabilities and qualifications.
Highlight shared connections
If you have any common LinkedIn connections with the interviewers, point this out in your message as an additional rapport-building touch. Note people you are both connected to who could vouch for you. But avoid name-dropping contacts who aren’t well-known to the interviewer.
Follow up if you don’t hear back
If you do not receive a response after your follow-up message, you can send a brief check-in if you still have not heard back after 7-10 days. Politely ask about updated timing expectations or if they need anything else. But avoid pestering and know when to move on if they remain non-responsive.
Connect after job acceptance
Once you accept a job offer after the interview process, send your interviewers a LinkedIn connection request if you are not already connected. Include a quick note referencing your successful interviews and how excited you are to start working with them. This builds relationships as new colleagues.
Thank interviewers in person
When you start working with the company, make a point to thank your interviewers again in person. Stop by their office or take time to speak with them individually. Express how much you appreciated them taking the time to interview you. This gesture leaves a lasting positive impression.