Connecting with someone who has a pending LinkedIn invitation can be a great way to reconnect and strengthen your professional network. However, sending connection requests repeatedly can come across as spammy or desperate. Instead, use strategic, friendly outreach to remind the person who you are and why connecting would be mutually beneficial.
Should I resend a LinkedIn request if someone is pending?
It’s generally not recommended to continuously resend connection requests to someone with a pending invitation. LinkedIn intentionally makes it difficult to spam connection requests for a reason. However, one additional request or message may be appropriate if some time has passed.
First, consider why the person may not have accepted your initial request:
- They don’t remember who you are
- They are selective about growing their network
- They never saw the initial request
- They were meaning to connect but forgot
Before reaching out again, make sure you respect their space and privacy. If they declined your request, it’s best not to send another. However, a pending request generally means they just haven’t gotten around to accepting it yet.
How long should I wait before following up?
There is no set time that is appropriate to wait before following up on a pending LinkedIn request. However, here are some general guidelines:
- 1 week – If you don’t know them well or just met them recently
- 2 weeks – If you have an established professional relationship
- 1 month – If they are someone you hope to work with but don’t know personally
Use your best judgment based on your relationship. You don’t want to appear overly pushy or impatient. But you also don’t want the invitation to be forgotten.
How should I follow up on a pending LinkedIn request?
When following up on a pending LinkedIn invitation, you want the person to easily remember who you are and be interested in connecting. Here are some tips for an effective follow-up message:
- Refresh their memory of how you met or your professional connection
- Be personalized and friendly, don’t copy and paste the same message
- Remind them briefly why you want to connect
- Suggest meeting for coffee or a phone call to reconnect (if appropriate)
Here is an example message structure you could follow:
[Personalized greeting],
[1-2 sentence reminder of who you are and how you met/know each other]
[1-2 sentences on why you want to connect on LinkedIn]
[Optional invite to meet up]
Let me know if you’d be open to connecting!
[Your name]
What methods can I use to follow up?
You have a few options when it comes to how to actually send your LinkedIn follow-up message. Choose the one that makes the most sense based on your relationship:
- LinkedIn message – Great for most professional connections, ideal if you met them in person.
- Email – Appropriate if you have communicated over email previously.
- Personal message – Through text, social media, phone call if you have an established relationship.
- In person – If you run into them at an event or industry gathering. Jog their memory and suggest connecting.
Whichever method you choose, remember to keep the message short, personalized, and conversational. Avoid sounding like a sales pitch.
How many times should I follow up on LinkedIn?
It’s best practice to limit your LinkedIn connection follow-ups to 2-3 touchpoints total. Here is an example timeline if you don’t hear back right away:
- Initial request – Make the first connection request on LinkedIn
- Follow up message – If no response after 1-2 weeks, send a friendly follow-up
- 2nd follow up – One last follow-up after an additional 1-2 weeks
If after a couple friendly follow-ups your request still goes ignored, it may be time to let it go and connect with other more responsive professionals. Continuing to send messages could come across as desperate or clingy.
Should I add a note when following up?
Yes, adding a customized note when re-sending or following up on a LinkedIn request is highly recommended. Generic connection requests are easy to ignore. A note shows you put time and thought into reaching out. Here are some tips for an effective note:
- Keep it brief, aim for 2-3 sentences
- Remind them where you met or your professional connection
- Explain why you want to connect personally
- Consider adding value by sharing an article or connection
For example: “Hi John, we met at last month’s marketing conference. I enjoyed our conversation and would love to stay in touch. Let me know if you’d be interested in connecting!”
Should I send an updated resume when following up?
It’s usually not necessary to send an updated resume when following up on a LinkedIn request. The goal is simply to connect and begin building the relationship, not apply for a job. An unsolicited resume could come across as presumptuous.
However, it may be appropriate to politely offer to send an updated resume or new portfolio link once connected, in certain cases such as:
- Following up after meeting at a networking event
- Connecting with a past co-worker or supervisor
- Reaching out to someone who interviews/hires for their company
Use your best judgment based on your specific relationship. Focus first on reminding them who you are and why you want to connect. Then offer to continue the conversation and share additional materials once connected on LinkedIn.
How can I send a connection request if we have no mutual connections?
If you have no first-degree connections in common with someone on LinkedIn, you will need to send them an invitation to connect directly from their profile. Here are some tips for connecting successfully when you have no mutual connections:
- Personalize your connection note to explain who you are and how you know them or their work.
- Mention any remote connections you may have in common even if not directly connected on LinkedIn.
- Share why you are interested in connecting with them specifically.
- Consider following up over email if appropriate to further introduce yourself.
Having no shared connections makes it more challenging to connect on LinkedIn. But a thoughtful, personalized note explaining your intent can still make a good impression.
How can I stand out when following up?
To stand out when following up on a pending LinkedIn invitation, focus on showing genuine interest and adding value:
- Personalize every message to demonstrate you care, don’t copy and paste.
- Research the person and company to reference specific things you admire.
- Offer to connect them to someone who shares a similarity or need.
- Share an interesting article or piece of industry news relevant to them.
- Suggest meeting for coffee or a video chat to continue the relationship.
Following up thoughtfully also represents your professional brand well. Avoid sounding desperate or entitled to a connection. Foster a mutually beneficial relationship.
Key Takeaways
Following up on pending LinkedIn connections requires care and finesse. Here are some of the key takeaways:
- Wait 1-4 weeks before sending a follow up based on your relationship
- Send just 1-2 follow ups total to avoid irritating the person
- Craft a warm, personalized message that adds value
- Briefly remind them who you are and why you want to connect
- Consider creative follow up tactics like an email or in-person invite
With the right approach, a follow up message or request can turn a stagnant pending invitation into a thriving professional connection. Be strategic and thoughtful, and you may just end up making a valuable new addition to your network.
Conclusion
Pending LinkedIn invitations can be frustrating, but they present an opportunity to reconnect if handled correctly. The keys are being patient, avoiding spamming, and sending follow-ups that add value and showcase your professionalism. With some finesse, you can turn those pending requests into full-fledged connections. Just remember to make your outreach personal while also respecting their space. Organically growing your network takes time, but it’s worth the investment.