LinkedIn Help
I'm a 16 year old student from the UK. If I were to send a connection request to someone high up on the ladder in a firm I'm interested in, what would make them want to connect me?
What would make them want to air me as well? I've posted a couple times and don't want to come across as too much of a weird, "hardo" character. They aren't AI slop, just some milestones of the finance society I run and one some about webinars and lectures with some actual thinking in them (not feigning interest to seem #lockedin).
What’s the benefit of them accepting the connection request? Better off to just email them if you want to connect.
Just want to ask them stuff tbh. Good point about the email though but just thought they might have to work a little less hard to figure out who I actually am if I contact them through LinkedIn - reduces friction in a way.
Thank you for your reply.
cheeky bump
cheeky bump #2
Would recommend emailing instead. Finance professionals, especially those in Senior positions, don't tend to be active on LinkedIn. You really don't need to overthink it. I've cold emailed lots of individuals with a decent reply rate. Just show your interest, and show you did your research. With regards to being aired, that's just the way things are and don't take it personally. On your point of reducing friction, I'm unsure how a lacklustre relationship on a social media platform would change things anyway.
Thank you, will try emailing instead then. Thank you for the point about not taking the airing to heart as well.
At 16, you’re already ahead of most students by thinking about networking this early.
The biggest mistake people make on LinkedIn is trying to impress senior professionals. Most executives don’t connect because of credentials—they connect because someone seems genuine, curious, and worth helping.
If I received a connection request from a student, I’d be much more interested in seeing thoughtful posts, genuine interest in the industry, and evidence that they’re actually learning than a polished profile trying to look like a 30-year-old banker.
My advice: keep posting, keep learning, and don’t worry so much about coming across as a “hardo.” The people who succeed are usually the ones willing to put themselves out there before they’re ready.
Just make sure you’re adding value rather than trying to collect connections.
Quality of relationships > quantity of connections.
Thanks ever so much for your advice. Will definitely focus on my intellectual development in itself and the outreach initiative side of things to show I will make good use of the help.
bump
Molestiae ducimus ea numquam est voluptatem quam ipsam. Eligendi soluta qui eaque ea iusto rerum. Non id incidunt fugit tempore quidem repellendus maiores. Sint neque dolorem asperiores sequi sint modi. Earum quis vero corporis illo. Est nostrum officiis consequatur id.
See All Comments - 100% Free
WSO depends on everyone being able to pitch in when they know something. Unlock with your email and get bonus: 6 financial modeling lessons free ($199 value)
or Unlock with your social account...