Building Recruiter Connections with Rejected Candidates

You’ve heard of a post-interview thank you note. Now get ready for the post-rejection thank you note! I see WAY too many job seekers viewing rejection as the end of the line. They cut ties with everyone at the company. These are people you spent 30-60+ minutes connecting with! They know your value, they know what you offer. They can be some of the best leads for new roles if you let them. So instead of letting rejection be the end of the line… Send a Post-Rejection Thank You note! Here's how to write one in 4 parts: 1. Thank them for taking the time to consider you 2. Wish them a ton of success with the hire they made 3. Mentioned specific things that you loved about the company, team, and speaking with them! 4. Ask if it'd be ok for you to stay in touch For example: "Hi Jamie, Thanks so much for taking the time to chat with me last week! I heard the team made a hire, I'm super excited for you all and I'm wishing you a ton of success with [Initiative]. I really enjoyed interviewing at [Company], and I especially enjoyed our chat about the future of blockchain in the health tech space. If you're up for it, I'd love to stay in touch! Either way, have an awesome rest of the week." Now set a calendar invite to follow up with these people once / month. Aim to add value with your touch points. I promise they'll lead you to more opportunities.

The Rejection Email That Changed My (and the candidate’s) Career I just helped a candidate secure a job offer after he'd been rejected by the same company just three months earlier. How? The candidate did something most job seekers never consider. When he received the initial rejection, instead of quietly moving on, he sent a thoughtful response thanking the hiring manager for the opportunity and asking for one specific piece of feedback. That email sparked a conversation which eventually led to him being considered for a different role. This story highlights something I've observed repeatedly in my years as a headhunter: your response to rejection can be as important as your application. Here's what successful candidates do differently: 1. They view rejections as pauses, not stops. The hiring world is fluid—budgets change, requirements shift, and new positions open up. Maintaining positive connections keeps you in the loop. 2. They ask for targeted feedback. Don't request general improvement areas. Ask: "Could you share one skill I could develop that would make me a stronger candidate for similar roles?" This is specific and actionable. 3. They show growth between applications. If you reapply, highlight what you've learned or improved since your last application. This demonstrates commitment and adaptability. 4. They stay visible professionally. Comment thoughtfully on the hiring manager's LinkedIn posts or share relevant industry articles. This keeps you on their radar without being pushy. 5. They treat recruiters as long-term connections. A good recruiter remembers candidates who communicate professionally, even when things don't work out. We often come back to people who left positive impressions. I've seen too many qualified candidates vanish after a rejection, missing future opportunities. The job search isn't just about finding vacancies—it's about building relationships that last beyond a single application. #JobSearch #CareerAdvice #Recruitment

I hear all sorts of advice for candidates here. But here’s what almost no one tells you: that one recruiter can literally determine your entire career trajectory. …I've watched candidates get rejected for roles, only to be the first call when a similar position opened up months later... all because they built a genuine relationship with their recruiter. …I've seen recruiters switch companies and immediately hire people they'd previously connected with. …And I've witnessed candidates effectively blacklisted because they ghosted an interview or were rude during the process. In 2025’s AI-powered recruiting paradigm, every interaction is documented, tracked, and increasingly discoverable. That off-hand comment or no-show? It's in your permanent record. Here's how to build meaningful recruiter relationships that pay dividends: — Show up on time for conversations. If rescheduling is necessary, provide ample notice — Ask thoughtful questions that demonstrate genuine interest  — Express authentic enthusiasm about the opportunity — Send follow-up emails to both your recruiter and interview panel — Connect with your recruiter on LinkedIn Remember: recruiters are your advocates throughout the hiring process. While they may not control the final hiring decision, their support can make all the difference. TAKEAWAY: The recruiting world is (much) smaller than you think. Companies sometimes compare notes, especially within the same industry. Your reputation follows you. So approach each interaction not as a transaction, but as the beginning of a professional relationship that could shape your career for years to come.

A client of mine interviewed for a Senior Vice President of Operations role at a Fortune 500 company. She made it to the final round. The hiring manager told her it was a CLOSE call after 5 rounds. Then came the email: “We went with another candidate, but we were really impressed with you.” Classic. Most people take that as the end of the conversation. She didn’t. Here’s exactly what I told her to do: ➜ Step 1: She sent the below email right after the rejection ➜ Step 2: She stayed on their radar Instead of disappearing, she: - Connected with the hiring manager on LinkedIn and engaged with their posts - Sent a message 60 days later checking in on the team’s progress - Reached out again when she saw a new role open up ➜ Step 3: Four months later, she got THIS message: “Are you still open to a conversation? We have a new leadership role, and I immediately thought of you.” She interviewed again. This time, she got the OFFER. A $38K higher salary than the original role. Most job seekers think a REJECTION is the end. The BEST candidates turn it into an OPPORTUNITY. If you get rejected, don’t walk away. Build the relationship. Because when the right role opens up, you want to be the first person they think of. #JobSearch #InterviewTips #CareerGrowth #Networking #CSG

𝙂𝙤𝙩 𝙍𝙚𝙟𝙚𝙘𝙩𝙚𝙙 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙖 𝙅𝙤𝙗? 𝙃𝙚𝙧𝙚’𝙨 𝙃𝙤𝙬 𝙏𝙝𝙖𝙩 ‘𝙉𝙤’ 𝘾𝙖𝙣 𝙊𝙥𝙚𝙣 𝙎𝙪𝙧𝙥𝙧𝙞𝙨𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝘿𝙤𝙤𝙧𝙨! Ever got a job rejection email that just made you slump in your chair? But what if I told you that each rejection slip is actually a secret doorway to your next big opportunity? Let me show you how turning rejections into opportunities can truly elevate your career. ✅ Dig Deeper: Ask Why Got a ‘no’? Ask for feedback. Seriously, do it. Understanding why you were passed over can reveal what skills or experiences you need to brush up on. ✅ Stay Connected Always reply to a rejection by thanking them for the opportunity and expressing your interest to stay in touch. This keeps you in their good books and guess what? About 30% of people who do this end up getting referred for another job. ✅ Check-in Periodically Don’t just stop with a ‘thank you’ note. Drop a friendly email every few months. Share an article, congratulate them on a new project, or just say hi. Keeping the connection alive can magically turn a past ‘no’ into a future ‘yes’. ✅ Offer Value, Even When Not Asked Whenever you check in, share something useful. Maybe a great article you read or a trend analysis that could benefit them. This shows you’re not just interested in a job but also in providing value, making you memorable. Rejections sting, but they’re not the end of the road. Often, they just direct you to something better. Got a rejection-to-success story? I’d love to hear it! #CareerAdvice #JobSearchTips #Networking #LinkedInSuccess

“After interviewing, should I keep in touch if I’m rejected?” My answer is a resounding yes! If you’re making it to a first-round interview, that means the team liked your background enough to want to give you a chance. Remember, most candidates do not even make it this far. So yes, stay in touch! Rejections happen for a million different reasons out of your control. Choosing to cut ties and not keep in touch is a missed opportunity (assuming the interview process was a positive experience and still somewhere you’d like to work). Personally, before I was hired at Google and Facebook, I was rejected. Afterwards, I expressed my interest in wanting to keep in touch with both of my recruiters. When new openings came up, they both reached out. Had I given up, who knows where I’d be today. Professionally, I can’t tell you how many times I saw this happen to candidates I worked with. They’d interview for one team and be rejected. Then they’d interview for another team and it would be the perfect fit. Sometimes it just comes down to team dynamics, not your skills. Moral of the story? Stay in touch. Don’t take rejection personally. Be resilient. Don’t give up. And remember, sometimes all rejection really means is not right now. - Found this helpful? Follow Brenna Lasky for more posts like this and like and share to help your network.

The worst thing you can do after receiving a rejection is to abandon the relationship you’ve built with the recruiter or hiring manager. If you’re tempted to walk away because of a “no,” try looking at it from a different angle. You never know what other opportunities could come your way. When I was rejected from Apple in the semi-final round, I reached back out to the recruiter, highlighted two other roles I was qualified for, and asked if she could introduce me to the respective hiring teams. Because of how I performed throughout the process and the genuine connection I developed with her, she sent two introductory emails on my behalf. Although I ultimately didn’t land those positions, I gained new contacts and received positive feedback on my file. Here’s my three-step process after a rejection: 1. Follow Up 2. Research other roles you qualify for 3. Send your findings to the recruiter/hiring manager and keep the conversation going You never know what might happen: recruiters and hiring managers could move to other companies where you might be a perfect fit. Or you might discover another role that leads to a “yes.” Don’t underestimate the power of maintaining relationships and following up. #StephSynergy

If you receive a rejection at the final stages of an interview process. Remember, a 'no' today could simply mean 'not yet.' What's the biggest mistake people make post-rejection? They throw the toys out of the cot and sever ties with recruiters and hiring managers. They channel their frustration of spending countless hours on preparation and interviews towards the hiring team. However, there are often many other external factors at play, like timing, market conditions, or internal hiring decisions that are out of everyone's control. If you're genuinely interested in the company, here's what you can do after being turned down: 1) Send a sincere thank-you note to all the recruiters and hiring managers you interacted with, expressing gratitude for their time and offering to keep in touch. 2) Periodically reach out to them to provide updates on your professional endeavours and inquire about any new opportunities. You'd be surprised how often this approach leads to future offers. But even if it doesn't, the tech industry is small and safeguarding your reputation is of paramount importance. Those individuals could be future managers, colleagues or even customers!

Don't take no for an answer. At least not at first. A rejection is not the end of a conversation. In some cases, it's just the beginning. In the last few months, I have seen multiple people do this... - Applied to a role. - Spoke to the recruiter or team member. - The role gets paused or they get passed over. Most people say, "Thank you," and never speak to them again. Not these startup job seekers. They built rapport with the recruiter and target company team. They set a reminder to follow up in a month. They followed up with positive generosity, looking to help. The recruiter put them back in the process and... They were hired in a matter of days. Here are the rejection rules: 1. Always be kind 2. Bring the positive energy 3. Seek written or verbal feedback 4. Send thank you notes despite the rejection (I also recommend video) 5. Set a reminder for follow-up 6. Follow up in a month 7. Provide value based on what you learned during the interviews It won't work every time. But... It's your best chance to re-engage a company you want to work for if you didn't land an opportunity the first time. Happy hunting! Have a story about the power of following up? Share it in the comments below 👇 --------------------------- If content like this resonates with you, follow me, Kyle Thomas, for more. ⤴ Follow + hit the 🔔 ♻ Share this post to help other startup job seekers find their next role. #startups #startupjobs #jobsearch #followup

A NO today does not mean a NO tomorrow. Too often, I see job seekers get a rejection email and think that it is all over, but this is not necessarily true. Let me share a story. A week ago, a client of mine got your typical rejection email. She was devastated. She messaged me, telling me that she thought she did very well in the interview and connected well with the Hiring Manager. I told her to reach out to the Hiring Manager, thank them for their consideration, and ask if she could stay in touch for future roles. A few days after sending the emails, the recruiter emailed her back and told her that the Hiring Manager had reconsidered his decision and wanted to bring her in for one more interview. It will not always work out this way, but here is what you need to remember. Many times, the reason you did not get the job today has nothing to do with you. It could mean there was just another candidate who was a better fit for that particular role. So, if a second role becomes available, that can still be yours. Also, you have already built that relationship, so don’t let it go to waste. The business world is small, and the Hiring Manager might make job changes too, and you might be a perfect fit for their new team. So, regardless of the outcome of the interview, keep the relationship going and remember that a no today does not mean a no tomorrow. What is your favorite way to stay in touch with the hiring team?