Connecting with an interviewer on LinkedIn after an interview is a common practice for job seekers these days. With LinkedIn being the go-to professional networking platform, it provides a way for candidates to stay top-of-mind after an interview. However, there is debate around whether sending an interviewer a LinkedIn connection request post-interview is appropriate or not. There are pros and cons to consider when making this decision.
The case for connecting on LinkedIn after an interview
Here are some potential benefits of connecting with an interviewer on LinkedIn following an interview:
- It keeps you top-of-mind. Sending a LinkedIn request soon after an interview reminds the interviewer of you and your qualifications. Out of sight, out of mind is a real phenomenon during the hiring process. Connecting on LinkedIn helps combat that.
- It shows interest in the role. By connecting on LinkedIn, you signal to the interviewer that you are genuinely interested in the company and position. It reinforces your enthusiasm and motivation for the opportunity.
- It expands your network. Regardless of whether you get the job, connecting with the interviewer grows your LinkedIn network. Having more connections, especially at target companies, provides value.
- It facilitates follow up. Once connected on LinkedIn, it makes it easier for you to follow up and continue the conversation with the interviewer. You can send messages through LinkedIn instead of email.
- It gives exposure to your profile. After connecting, the interviewer can easily check out your LinkedIn profile again. This gives them deeper insight into your background and work history.
Overall, sending a LinkedIn request soon after an interview has the potential to make you more memorable as a candidate, demonstrate your enthusiasm, grow your network, enable follow up, and give the interviewer access to your full profile. Handled tastefully, it can give you a small advantage in the hiring process.
Potential drawbacks of connecting on LinkedIn
While there are benefits, there are also some potential drawbacks to consider when connecting with an interviewer on LinkedIn:
- It could seem overly assertive. If not careful, reaching out on LinkedIn too soon after an interview may come across as pushy or overly assertive to some hiring managers.
- It could backfire if you interviewed poorly. If you connected poorly with the interviewer or bombed the interview, reaching out on LinkedIn may just be annoying for them.
- It borders on asking for an evaluation. While not your intent, connecting could be misconstrued as asking the interviewer for feedback or an evaluation of your interview performance.
- It could be hard to interpret any lack of response. If your connection request goes unanswered, it is ambiguous whether that reflects the company’s level of interest in you or not.
- It defeats the purpose if preemptively connected. If you already connected with the interviewer prior to the interview, then connecting again provides no real value.
The main risks come down to misinterpreting the motives or meaning behind the LinkedIn request. To avoid potential drawbacks, it’s wise to be judicious in determining when to connect.
Best practices for connecting on LinkedIn after an interview
If you decide to reach out on LinkedIn post-interview, here are some best practices to follow:
- Wait at least 24 hours after the interview before connecting. Give some space before reaching out.
- Send a customized connection note highlighting your continued interest and something unique about the discussion.
- Only connect with interviewers, not people simply involved in scheduling or coordinating interviews.
- Connect individually with each of your interviewers rather than blanketing the whole group.
- If you interviewed with a recruiter or sourcer, wait for their cue before connecting on LinkedIn.
- Don’t repeatedly pester interviewers asking for updates or critiques after connecting.
- Assess the culture and norms of the organization – some places skew more formal than others.
- If you previously applied but didn’t get an interview request, hold off on connecting until later stages.
Following these tips will maximize the likelihood that your outreach is perceived positively and enables a professional relationship. Use good judgment based on the specific dynamics of the interview and company.
When NOT to connect on LinkedIn after an interview
While it can often be beneficial, there are also instances where holding off on connecting makes more sense:
- When they explicitly said a decision is coming shortly. Don’t appear impatient if a timeline was already provided.
- When you have minimal rapport or engagement with the interviewer. Don’t force a lukewarm connection.
- When you need to focus energy on higher priority roles or interviews elsewhere.
- When the process is at a very preliminary stage, like a pre-screening call.
- When your interview performance was distinctly poor. Don’t irritate them unnecessarily.
- When you still have additional upcoming interviews at the company. Better to wait.
- When interviewing with combative or unfriendly people. Don’t annoy them more.
- When the culture leans very formal and buttoned-up. Use more discretion.
- When already connected to all on the interview panel. No need to overdo it.
At the end of the day, you have to use good judgment based on nuances of the situation. If in doubt, often better to wait or avoid connecting, rather than risk being perceived as overeager or tone deaf.
Situation | Appropriate to Connect? |
---|---|
Interviewer said decision is imminent | No |
Minimal engagement during interview | No |
Higher priority roles elsewhere | No |
Very early screening call | No |
You bombed the interview | No |
Additional upcoming interviews | No |
Combative interviewers | No |
Very formal company culture | No |
Already connected on LinkedIn | No |
This table summarizes situations where holding off altogether makes more sense when considering sending a LinkedIn request after an interview.
Conclusion
Connecting with interviewers on LinkedIn post-interview is generally appropriate and can provide advantages as you continue through the hiring process. It keeps you top-of-mind, demonstrates interest, expands your network, enables follow up, and gives exposure to your full profile. However, there are also potential drawbacks to consider, including seeming overly assertive or creating ambiguous rejection signals. Following best practices around timing, personalization, targeting, and etiquette can help maximize the upside while mitigating any downside. With the right approach, connecting on LinkedIn after an interview can give you a small but meaningful edge as a candidate.