Sending an interview thank you email? Use LinkedIn!

Since graduating with my MBA, I've found myself surrounded by millions of other fish in the sea also swimming for the same dream - to get a good job with a good salary and hopefully benefits. As we all search for our next career, how do we make ourselves stand out from the crowd after you've scored that interview?

Sending that Thank You Note
Whether it is a follow-up for a phone interview or an in-person interview, build your LinkedIn network by sending a thank-you note through an invitation request to join your LinkedIn network. Not only does this show off your LinkedIn profile (that is assuming, that it's worth something showing off), but it also comes into the interviewer's inbox as something different.

The down-side? You have to closely monitor to see if the person accepts you or responds. If they do not respond, be sure to send a personal email within the first week since the interview to again thank them and then quickly (and politely) mention that you had already sent a message through LinkedIn but wanted to follow-up and make sure they got your thank you message.

How to Customize Your Invitation Message in LinkedIn
If you are still learning the ropes for your LinkedIn profile, here are step-by-step instructions on how to customize the Personal Note section in an Invitation to Connect on LinkedIn:

1. Search for the person you interviewed with using information from their email signature to double-check the profile is for the right person (i.e. company name, title, etc.)

2. Once on their profile, click on the "Add to your network" link on the upper right-hand corner of the page

3. On the "Invite to connect on LinkedIn" page, select how you know the person using the radio buttons available. Several options will require that you enter in the person's email address, but alas you already have that from their email communications with you!

4. Directly below the radio buttons is text-box entry point to include an optional "Personal Note" to the person you are sending the invitation to. USE IT! Characters are limited so use your space efficiently while thanking the person for your interview.

5. Select the blue "Send Invitation" button at the bottom of the page and voila! You are done... for now.

6. Follow-up! Monitor your email to make sure the person either accepts your LinkedIn invitation or that they send you an email response saying a reason why they would not officially connect with you online. One woman I contacted for a follow-up at a job fair responded with a personal email saying that she does not use LinkedIn much and therefore would not add me, but that she would ensure that the hiring manager would get my resume for the job we spoke about at the job fair. Do not be offended by whether or not someone accepts your invitation - just ensure you follow-up with a direct email within a week if the LinkedIn request is not accepted within the first few days following the interview.