Why You Should Connect with Your Boss on LinkedIn
Connecting with your boss on LinkedIn can be beneficial for several reasons:
– It allows you to strengthen your professional relationship and build rapport outside of the normal work setting. Maintaining open communication channels can help facilitate a positive working dynamic.
– It gives your boss additional context about your professional background, skills, and accomplishments. This extra insight into your capabilities can help them understand your value as an employee.
– It expands your professional network by gaining a well-connected contact. Bosses tend to have large networks, which provides exposure to more connections and future job opportunities.
– It serves as a endorsement of your capabilities. Your boss agreeing to connect displays you are on good terms and they want to associate with you professionally.
– It keeps you top of mind. Your activity and updates on LinkedIn allows you to maintain visibility with your boss after work hours.
– It lays the social media groundwork should you ever need a recommendation from your boss or decide to leave your job.
How to Ask Your Boss to Connect on LinkedIn
When reaching out to connect with your boss on LinkedIn, it is important to be polite, direct, and strategic in your ask. Here are some best practices:
– Request the connection via email or in person. A brief, casual ask is better than an impersonal connection request.
– Remind them of who you are. Refresh their memory of your name, your role, and how long you have worked together.
– Say you would appreciate being connected. Explain that you are aiming to expand your network and think connecting would be valuable.
– Suggest it is a great way to stay in touch. Maintain that linking up on LinkedIn can help continue the communication and relationship.
– If they seem hesitant, reiterate benefits. Remind them of mutual benefits like exchanging industry updates, increasing your own visibility, and endorsing each other’s skills.
– Accept a “no” gracefully. If they decline, be gracious and leave the door open for connecting later. Do not take it personally.
– Follow up after connecting. Thank them for accepting your request and reaffirm how you look forward to sustaining a great professional relationship.
Here is an example email template you can adapt:
Hi [Name],
I hope this email finds you well. I wanted to connect on LinkedIn if you are open to the idea. As we have worked together for [x time], I think it would be mutually beneficial for us to link up.
Connecting on LinkedIn is a great way for me to continue learning from you while also staying visible. I would appreciate if you would consider my invite when you have a chance.
Please let me know if you have any questions!
Best,
[Your Name]
Tips for How to Interact with Your Boss on LinkedIn
Once you have successfully connected with your boss on LinkedIn, there are some best practices to nurture the relationship:
– Congratulate them on big news and work milestones. Being active with likes and comments builds rapport.
– Comment thoughtfully on their posts. This shows you are engaged.
– Share and react to their posts regularly. This expands their reach and shows you support their messaging.
– Avoid oversharing or TMI. Keep your interactions professional.
– Send them new articles or resources. Share information you think would interest them.
– Endorse their skills. Proactively recognize their professional capabilities.
– Request recommendations. Ask them to write you LinkedIn recommendations highlighting your talents.
– Keep your profile updated. Showcase new accomplishments so they are informed in real-time.
– Follow their company page. Stay up to date on employer news and job postings.
– Wish them happy birthday or holidays. Send occasional greetings to personalize the relationship.
– Say thank you. Expressing gratitude makes people feel appreciated.
Maintaining Appropriate Boundaries
While connecting with your boss on LinkedIn can be advantageous, it is important to maintain appropriate professional boundaries. Here are some tips:
– Keep your interactions career-focused. Avoid overly personal, social, or sensitive topics.
– Be selective in what you post yourself. Assume your boss can see everything.
– Limit contacting them after work hours. Be mindful of bombarding their personal time.
– Don’t bring conflicts into the online space. Handle disputes privately and respectfully.
– Ask for permission before posting pictures together. Do not catch them off guard.
– Keep tone formal in messages. Do not take liberties just because you are connected.
– Do not make frequent endorsements. This can come across as disingenuous flattery.
– Avoid giving unsolicited advice. Do not overstep your role.
– Do not ask for an internal referral. Connections alone do not equal preferential treatment.
– Never post negative work experiences. Even vague venting can be obvious.
– Discuss pay, promotions, or firing in person. Some conversations are too sensitive for social platforms.
Troubleshooting Challenges
Some other hurdles that may arise when connecting with bosses on LinkedIn include:
They already rejected your request: If they previously declined your invitation, wait at least 3-6 months before trying again. They may reconsider after time passes. Politely explain that you understand if the answer is still “no”.
They do not use LinkedIn: If your boss shuns social media, focus on in-person relationship building. Offer to help them create a simple profile, but avoid pushing if they refuse.
Your profile needs work: Before requesting to connect, audit your own LinkedIn presence. Make sure your profile is updated and portrays you positively.
Your request gets ignored: Follow up your connect request with a reminder message. If you ultimately get no response, let it go and try another time later.
The relationship feels forced: Do not beg them to engage with your posts or offers to connect. If they seem reluctant, graciously back off and keep things organic.
It blurs work-life boundaries: To avoid inappropriate over-familiarity, establish ground rules around online communication during off-hours or personal sharing.
You are connected but they stay distant: Even if connected, some bosses prefer keeping the relationship purely professional. Respect their boundaries and do not overstep.
Transitioning After Leaving Your Job
If you eventually move on from your role, LinkedIn can still play a positive parting role:
– Update your employment status and join your new company. Keep your profile current.
– Make your transition announcement positive. Thank your boss and colleagues.
– Archive, but do not delete, old work updates. Maintain a record of your achievements.
– Congratulate old colleagues on their moves. Be happy for their advances.
– Continue constructive commenting on their posts. Preserve the rapport you built.
– Graciously accept any parting recommendations from your boss.
– Do not make dramatic job complaints after leaving. Take the high road.
– Keep the door open to reconnecting in the future if you are amenable.
– Disconnect if contact becomes negative or unproductive. You may need distance.
Key Takeaways
Connecting with bosses on LinkedIn has many advantages, but should be done strategically and with care. Keep these final tips in mind:
– Frame your request professionally as a networking opportunity.
– Interact politely and thoughtfully after connecting.
– Maintain appropriate boundaries and avoid overstepping.
– Preserve a positive relationship, even if one of you departs the company.
– Adapt your approach based on how receptive your boss is to connecting.
– Do not take a rejected request personally or push excessively.
– Use LinkedIn to build real relationships, not just grow your number of connections.
Conclusion
Asking your boss to connect on LinkedIn can be mutually beneficial if handled considerately. Focus on preserving an open and constructive professional dynamic. With care and boundaries, LinkedIn can strengthen your relationship and become a valuable communication channel that lasts beyond your shared daily workplace.
