Introduction to Post-Interview Follow-Up
You’ve just wrapped up a promising interview, and you’re riding that post-interview high. But hold on, your work isn’t over yet! 🚀 Sending a follow-up LinkedIn message after an interview is a crucial step that many job seekers overlook. It’s not just about saying “thanks” – it’s your golden opportunity to leave a lasting impression and keep the conversation going.
A thoughtful follow-up can set you apart from other candidates, reinforce your interest in the position, and even provide additional information that could tip the scales in your favor. In the competitive job market of San Francisco (and beyond), every edge counts!
Timing and Tone
Timing is everything when it comes to your follow-up message. You don’t want to seem overeager by sending it immediately after the interview, but you also don’t want to wait too long and risk being forgotten. My rule of thumb? Send your message within 24-48 hours after the interview. This gives you time to reflect on the conversation while still keeping it fresh in the interviewer’s mind.
As for tone, take your cue from the interview itself. Was it a formal, buttoned-up affair? Keep your message professional and polished. Did you and the interviewer hit it off with some casual banter? It’s okay to inject a bit of personality into your message. Remember, you’re not just showcasing your skills – you’re also demonstrating how well you’d fit into the company culture.
Expressing Gratitude and Reinforcing Interest
Start your message by thanking the interviewer for their time. It might seem obvious, but a sincere “thank you” goes a long way. For example:
“Thank you for taking the time to meet with me yesterday to discuss the Marketing Manager position at TechCo. I truly enjoyed our conversation and learning more about your innovative approach to B2B marketing.”
Next, reinforce your interest in the role. This is your chance to show that you were actively listening during the interview and that you’re genuinely excited about the opportunity. Mention specific points of discussion that resonated with you:
“I was particularly intrigued by your plans to expand into the Asian market. My experience leading cross-cultural marketing campaigns aligns perfectly with this initiative, and I’m excited about the possibility of contributing to TechCo’s global growth.”
Providing Additional Information or Insights
Here’s where you can really shine! Use this opportunity to share relevant resources or materials that support your candidacy. Did a particular project come up in the interview? Share a link to the results or a case study. For instance:
“After our discussion about content marketing strategies, I thought you might be interested in this article I recently published on LinkedIn about maximizing engagement through storytelling. [Insert link]”
You can also offer additional thoughts or ideas related to the role. This shows initiative and demonstrates your problem-solving skills:
“I’ve been reflecting on our conversation about streamlining the lead generation process. I have some ideas on how we could leverage LinkedIn Sales Navigator to improve conversion rates. I’d love to discuss this further if you’re interested.”
Following Up on the Hiring Process
Don’t be afraid to inquire about the next steps in the hiring process. It shows you’re proactive and genuinely interested in moving forward. You could say something like:
“I’m very excited about the possibility of joining your team. Could you provide any information on the next steps in the hiring process or when I might expect to hear back?”
If you have other offers on the table, it’s okay to mention this (tactfully) to create a sense of urgency:
“I wanted to let you know that I’ve received another offer, but TechCo remains my top choice. I’m hoping to make a decision by next Friday. Is there any additional information I can provide to help with your decision-making process?”
Sample Follow-Up LinkedIn Message Templates
Here are a few templates to get you started:
General follow-up:
“Hi [Interviewer’s Name],
Thank you for taking the time to meet with me yesterday about the [Position] at [Company]. I enjoyed learning about [specific project or company initiative] and am excited about the possibility of contributing my skills in [relevant area]. Please let me know if you need any additional information. I look forward to hearing about the next steps in the process.”
Providing additional information:
“Hello [Interviewer’s Name],
I hope this message finds you well. After our discussion yesterday about [specific topic], I remembered a case study that aligns perfectly with what we talked about. I’ve attached it here for your reference. I believe this approach could be adapted to address [company’s specific challenge]. I’d be happy to discuss this further if you’re interested.”
Following up on the hiring process:
“Hi [Interviewer’s Name],
I wanted to follow up on our interview last week for the [Position]. I’m very excited about the opportunity and am particularly interested in [specific aspect of the job or company]. I was wondering if you could provide any update on the timeline for the next steps in the hiring process. Please let me know if you need any additional information from me. Thank you again for your time and consideration.”
FAQs
- Q: Is it okay to send a follow-up message on LinkedIn instead of email?
A: Yes, LinkedIn is a professional platform and perfectly acceptable for follow-up messages, especially if that’s how you’ve been communicating with the interviewer. - Q: How long should my follow-up message be?
A: Keep it concise – aim for 3-4 short paragraphs at most. You want to be thorough but respectful of the interviewer’s time. - Q: What if I forgot to ask an important question during the interview?
A: The follow-up message is a great opportunity to ask any questions you missed. Just be sure to frame it positively, like “Upon reflection, I had one additional question about…” - Q: Should I send individual messages if I interviewed with multiple people?
A: Ideally, yes. Personalize each message to reflect your conversation with that specific interviewer. - Q: Is it appropriate to connect with the interviewer on LinkedIn after the interview?
A: It’s generally fine to send a connection request along with your follow-up message, but use your judgment based on the company culture and your rapport with the interviewer. - Q: What if I don’t hear back after sending my follow-up message?
A: If you haven’t heard back within the timeframe discussed in the interview, it’s okay to send one more polite follow-up after about a week.