LinkedIn Etiquette

Let’s talk LinkedIn Etiquette 🤝🏼 First, etiquette on social media is subjective.

But if you’re using LinkedIn to network, find opportunities, build community, and learn from others, here are some ways to approach it:

⭐️ Personalized Connection Request
💬 Messaging
🗣 Responses
👥 Networking
👩🏻‍💼 Jobs
👍🏼 Engagement
✍🏼 Content

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⭐️ Personalized Connection Request

Some people like this, some don’t care. There are people who only accept requests with notes, sometimes it depends on what the note says, or they accept anyone with or without one. There’s no right or wrong way here. You do what you want. However, if you’re on a profile and the person explicitly says or writes about sending a personalized message, do that! It increases your chances of connecting.

Bonus point: Send a thank you message when your connection is accepted. Go a step further and tell them what inspired you to connect with them (something on their profile, connected to a mutual person, saw a post, listened to their podcast, etc).

💬 Messaging

People like context, specificity, and digestible messaging. Tell people why you want to connect, what you can help them with, and doing this with simple/short messaging. People don’t want questions/conversations in their DMs that require long paragraphs. Keep it short and sweet.

Bonus points: Don’t forget the pleasantries! Say your hellos, how are yours, and thank yous out there!

🗣 Responses

If you’ve sent a message and haven’t heard back, follow up! Nothing wrong with checking back in if you haven’t heard anything. The cadence can be once a week or once every two weeks. If you’re still not hearing back, it’s okay to move on. BUT! Remember: no one likes a jerk. If you need to move on, move on with grace.

Bonus points: You can always try again in a few months if you really want to connect with that person. You never know where people are in their lives.

👥 Networking

No strings attached. I’ve been on this platform long enough to know that success in networking is when people genuinely want to get to know each other. Building genuine relationships here is not hard! Be kind, care about the other person, and put in some effort and time.

Bonus points: Introduce your network to others in order to build community.

👩🏻‍💼 Jobs

There is literally a tab for jobs and there are also people who advertise jobs through their posts, company, or business. (Anyone see my posts about career sites? 😅). Be proactive and seek out jobs that YOU want and fit YOUR skills and background. Most recruiters and hiring managers find the “tell me what you’re hiring for and tell me what fits me” a bit annoying.

Bonus points: See a job you like and applied? Let the recruiter know!

👍🏼 Engagement

Like and comment if there’s something that resonates with you! However, if you’re seeing content you don’t agree with — keep scrolling. Ignore, mute, or unfollow. I know we have tendencies to talk back, but I rather be the bigger person. Reminder, your reaction and response are always a reflection of YOU, not the other person.

Bonus points: Don’t burn a bridge. Be kind and support someone!

✍🏼 Content

People will post what they want on LinkedIn. You can do the same. I’m a believer that you will find your people here. So don’t be something or someone you’re not. Got something you’re passionate about and want to talk about it? Do it! You attract what you think, talk, and manifest.

Bonus points: See people who talk about the same things as you? Join their conversations and even their community!