T
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timetovalue

Enterprise Account Executive

Executive
Valued Contributor
Fire Starter
+5

Should I connect on LinkedIn with the hiring manager after getting rejected?

I recently interviewed with a software company. After 3 interviews, they quickly decided to go with another candidate. I sent another round of thank you messages after the rejection. Curious, any reason not to send a connection request to the hiring manager and the other two employees that interviewed me?

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UrAssIsSaaS
Arsonist
15
SaaS Eater
No harm, I have connected with people I declined. I wouldn't expect anything from it but it cant hurt. 
funcoupons
WR Officer
12
👑
Why not? I’d include in my message that I appreciated their consideration and would be happy to stay connected going forward. 
poweredbycaffeine
WR Lieutenant
8
☕️
Did you build a good rapport with them/would you consider working for them in the future? If yes, send that connection request with a personal, specific connection request note.
Beans
Big Shot
3
Enterprise Account Executive
Of course, you can always follow up as your experience expands.
Sunbunny31
Politicker
2
Sr Sales Executive 🐰
Good advice here.  I'll vote to connect too, particularly if you are interested in the company.   
DataSlangah
Politicker
2
SAE
I would definitely connect with them.  It will be easier for you to stay on their radar also.  Plus most SaaS companies use LinkedIn Recruiter.  LI Recruiter pushes connected people higher up the search list.  
Diablo
Politicker
2
Sr. AE
I always try to connect with a short thank you message and most of them accept. You might want to follow them if you see them posting jobs in their activity and yout want to work with them in the future.
NoSuperhero
Politicker
1
BDR LEAD
Maybe, depends on how well you managed the interview with them. I don't actively do it but on occasion, I'll make sure to connect.
cw95
Politicker
1
Sales Development Lead
Well, nothing to lose!
Cabbie
Good Citizen
1
AE (Account Executive)
Do you have the same questions about connecting with prospects who reject your proposals?

Recruitment's just sales. Just because it's a no now, doesn't mean it will be in future 
SlinginSoftware
Politicker
1
Account Executive
When I found my dream job, after 3 rounds of interviews they went with a candidate with more experience. I stayed connected with the hiring manager on Linkedin and even sent him periodic emails to let him know when I was smashing my quota or closing a complex deal (trying to show him that I was doing everything possible to get better every single day).

About 18 months later he had an opening on his team. He called ME about the opening and let me skip the first 2 interview steps and went right to the final interview. I had a verbal offer about 5 days after he contacted me.
timetovalue
Executive
0
Enterprise Account Executive
Love it. Thanks for sharing!
SaaSyBee
Politicker
1
Founder
Nah, I've done it and it's worth it to connect. You never know who you'll work with in the future. The world is small. Someone who rejected me for a job is now one of our affiliate partners and I actually work with her.
LordOfWar
Tycoon
1
Blow it up
I'd say go for it, politely ask if there is anything you can improve on for next time.
goose
Politicker
1
Sales Executive
Can't see how that would be an issue.  Probably most important if you engage with them on Linked In in some way and then send a thoughtful message when connecting.

I'd probably refrain from dropping the generic connection request only to move on and never engage.
GDO
Politicker
1
BDM
sure why not. Maybe you can learn from the experience. also next job opening reaply, show them you want it.
ChunkyButters
Tycoon
1
AE
As much as I hate this saying: "Your network is your net worth".

Yes, connect with them. The role I'm in now was from a company I was rejected from in the past and staying connected got me in a better role.
CuriousFox
WR Officer
1
🦊
Why the hell not? Add a personal note. 
MCP
Valued Contributor
0
Sales Director
Do you send the girl who rejected you connection requests on social media?
Don’t answer that.
ChrisSellsHisSoul
Fire Starter
0
Owner
One time a company rescinded a job offer because I counter-offered asking for a more generous work from home package.

They're still in my network and I still send them LinkedIn content sometimes.

I've been in sales so long that I don't care about rejection anymore. Even if I have them marked as not interested, I might still benefit from having them in my network someday.
Annonny
Big Shot
0
Account Executive
I think yes!! but then again i am very petty lol

AdventuresinBeerSelling
Member
0
Account Executive
Definitely connect, especially if you interviewed well. Grow your network, you may not have been a fit for them but they may be connected to the next person you interview with. Also I have been rejected by companies that have ended up becoming customers that I sold to. Having that connectiion was good credibility for me going into meetings with them. Its a small world so it never hurts

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