3 Tips for Accepting (and Gracefully Declining) LinkedIn Requests

3 Tips for Accepting

LinkedIn Requests

You receive an invitation to join someone’s network of connections.

Before you decide whether to accept or decline the invitation, rst ask yourself:

If you choose to decline an invitation, use these tips to do so

RESPOND QUICKLY.

If you wait to respond to the invitation and then decide to go ahead and decline the invite, the other person might be even more offended or confused. Respond quickly so that this issue isn’t hanging over anyone’s head.

IF NECESSARY, ASK FOR MORE INFORMATION.

IIf you feel uncomfortable because you don’t know the person well but want to consider the invitation before you decline, respond with a request for more information, such as, “I appreciate your interest, but I am having trouble placing our previous meetings. Please let me know how we know each other and what your goals are for LinkedIn. Thanks again.”

RESPOND POLITELY BUT WITH A FIRM NO.

You can simply write something along the lines of, “Thank you for your iinterest; I appreciate your eagerness. Unfortunately, because I’m not familiar with you, I’m not interested in connecting with you on LinkedIn just yet.” Then, if you want, you can spell out the terms in which you might be interest-ed in connecting, such as if the opportunity ever arises to get to know the person better or if he is referred to you by a friend.

gracefully.

HOW WELL DO I KNOW THIS PERSON?

WWith any luck, the inviter has included a custom message clueing you in to who he is, in case you don’t remember. You can, of course, click the name to read that person’s prole to trigger your memory. If you don’t know or re-member this person, you probably don’t want to add him to your network just yet. If you do know the person, you need to consider whether he’s worth adding to your network.

DOES THIS PERSON FIT WITH THE GOALS OF MY NETWORK?

It’s easier to put together a network when you’ve established a sense of the purpose you want it to serve. When you’re looking at this invitation, simply ask yourself, “Does accepting this invitation help further my goals?”

IS THIS SOMEONE WITH WHOM I WANT TO COMMUNICATE AND INCLUDE IN MY NETWORK?

IIf you don’t like someone or don’t want to do business with him or her, you should certainly not feel obligated to accept the invitation. Keep in mind that these people will have access to your network and can hit you up with intro-duction and recommendation requests once you accept.

(or Gracefully Declining)

For more helpful information like this check out LinkedIn For Dummies, available online at www.dummies.com/buy/9781118822210.