LinkedIn Connection Request: When is it appropriate?

Hi Guys, I'm just doing some informational interviews this summer and I was wondering at what point is is appropriate to connect with someone on LinkedIn?

Thanks!

19 Comments
 
Buddyfoxi wouldn't connect with anyone that was interviewing me on linked in prior to them hiring me. It just seems unorthadox.

I actually got some connection requests from a couple guys who interviewed me AFTER I got rejected from their respective firms...haha

Sometimes lies are more dependable than the truth.
 
Ultima-RDK
Buddyfoxi wouldn't connect with anyone that was interviewing me on linked in prior to them hiring me. It just seems unorthadox.

I actually got some connection requests from a couple guys who interviewed me AFTER I got rejected from their respective firms...haha

That's funny. I've gotten a few requests from rejected candidates whom I've interviewed and was not impressed with. To be fair, when you're desperate and working hard to land an offer, you tend to think too optimistically about how well you connect with interviewers.

As said earlier, it's appropriate to send out an add request a day or two after the first face-to-face meeting. I've sent out some requests following hour-long phone calls and having never met the contacts in person.

Some obvious do-NOTs that some kids have actually done to me:

  • Do not cold-add a contact without ever establishing contact with the person beforehand.
  • Do not add a contact before you meet or chat at length.
  • Do not add an interviewer unless you are absolutely sure that you connected well with him.
  • Do not initiate contact by cold-adding a contact on Facebook. No shit, this has happened to me.
 
Ultima-RDK
Buddyfoxi wouldn't connect with anyone that was interviewing me on linked in prior to them hiring me. It just seems unorthadox.

I actually got some connection requests from a couple guys who interviewed me AFTER I got rejected from their respective firms...haha

LOL what's that about

 
Best Response

I only accept linkedin requests from people I know or someone who takes the time to message me and explain why they are reaching out.

I have accepted invitations from people who I never met who just wanted to connect and disuss the HF industry/network and I've rejected requests from students at my Alma mater if they don't even take the time to introduce themselves in an email (I mean come on I'm on all the alumni directories and ecologist state that I'm willing to help).

So what I would say is take the time to craft a message along with the linkedin request. And I'll echo what other posters have said, don't request an interviewer who you haven't heard back from yet.

 

Why not ask them if you are unsure if it is appropriate.

You took the time to seek out these people and speak with them. It would not be outrageous to say "Hey, I'm trying to build up a network of contacts. Would you mind if I kept in contact with you?.... Oh, thanks that would be great, here is my linked in info."

 

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