When you receive a connection request on LinkedIn, it’s important to thoughtfully consider how to respond. Your reply can build relationships that further your career, so take the time to craft a professional and friendly response.
Accept the Request
If you know the person and want to connect, click “Accept” on the request notification or their profile. A generic confirmation message will be sent indicating you accepted. To personalize your response:
- Go to your notifications and click “See all.”
- Find the connection request and click “Reply.”
- Write a message thanking them for the invite and expressing interest in connecting.
Sample reply: “Hi [name], thanks for inviting me to connect on LinkedIn. It was great meeting you at [event or place you met]. I look forward to staying connected and learning more about your work with [company or industry].”
Ignore the Request
If you don’t know the person or have no interest in connecting, you can ignore the request. To ensure the connection doesn’t happen accidentally:
- Go to your notifications and click “See all.”
- Find the connection request and click the 3 dots icon.
- Select “I don’t know this person” to delete the request.
This will remove the request so it doesn’t remain pending. The sender won’t be notified that you ignored their request.
Politely Decline the Request
If you prefer to formally decline the invitation, reply to the request with a message:
- Go to your notifications and click “See all.”
- Find the connection request and click “Reply.”
- Politely indicate that you aren’t able to connect at this time.
Sample reply: “Hi [name], I appreciate you inviting me to connect, but I’m currently keeping my network focused on [industry or relationship]. Wishing you the best with your work at [company].”
Connect First Before Replying
Rather than replying to a connection request, you can accept first and then send a message:
- Go to your notifications and click “Accept” on the request.
- Go to your connections and click “Message” on the new connection.
- Write a friendly note following up on the connection.
Sample message: “Hi [name], just accepted your connection request! It was great seeing you at [event or meeting place]. Let’s stay in touch on LinkedIn.”
Things to Avoid When Replying
When reaching out to new connections on LinkedIn, keep your message polite, professional and to the point. Avoid:
- Asking for favors immediately after connecting.
- Soliciting business unless you have an established relationship.
- Overly formal language like “Dear Sir/Madam.” Keep it friendly.
- Long-winded notes. Your message should be 1-2 concise paragraphs.
Personalize Your Response
To make your reply meaningful, personalize it with:
- A warm greeting like “Hi [first name].”
- Context on how you know them or a mutual connection.
- A reference to their company, industry, school, interests, etc.
Personalized responses make connections feel acknowledged as individuals rather than bulk invites.
Follow Up After Connecting
To build relationships after initially connecting:
- Share relevant articles or posts that align with their interests.
- Comment on their content and congratulate shared wins.
- Send messages checking in or suggesting meeting up.
Following up and engaging with new connections helps transform contacts into stronger professional relationships over time.
Customize Your LinkedIn Settings
To manage incoming requests, customize your LinkedIn settings:
- Go to your profile Edit settings.
- Under “Privacy & Settings” choose “Preferences.”
- Update preferences for receiving messages, connection requests, and notifications.
Adjust your settings if you receive too many connection invites or find requests distracting. You can control frequency and choose to vet requests.
Why Thoughtfully Responding Matters
Putting care into your LinkedIn interactions can:
- Strengthen your professional network with meaningful connections.
- Open new opportunities through expanded contacts.
- Allow you to exchange ideas and build relationships.
- Develop an active community that supports your career growth.
Connecting authentically on LinkedIn goes a long way. Take the extra minute to personalize your outreach to new contacts.