Why I Will NOT Connect with You on LinkedIn

I started on LinkedIn back in 2006 based on the recommendation of a recruiter friend. I was just getting a fledgling start in the recruiting game and had no idea where to turn (it was a family business so I had to get up to speed fast!)

After some poking around on a professional network that looks a lot different than this one, I got down to business. I met some amazing professionals on this and other networks and began “connecting”. Whatever that means…

Soon, I was placed on a popular Top 10 list and began blogging for a couple of highly visible recruiting blogs and away we went! The connection requests came fast and furious and I was eager to expand my network so that I could recruit! As my career has progressed and moved back into marketing (I now run a marketing and advertising agency for the HR Technology space), my strategy for accepting connections has changed a little. Part LION, part discerning leader…the reasons I accept connect requests is a little different than most. *

1. You have no picture: I will never, ever, ever connect with someone who has no picture. I may have in the early days just to get as many connections as possible but if you have a little gray avatar, consider yourself consigned to the LinkedIn dustbin.
2. You have a clearly fake picture: Many of my colleagues have had their pictures and profiles completely copied to use here on LI. This is dumb. Also, everyone can tell when you use a stock photo for your profile picture. I don’t recommend doing this even if your title is stock photo model.
3. You use ALL CAPS SOMEWHERE IN YOUR TITLE OR DESCRIPTION: It’s the internet equivalent of yelling and I am going to assume you have the professional demeanor of a third grader who doesn’t know how to properly use the shift key (i.e. not someone who can in any way enhance my professional standing).
4. You use some form of text speak in your profile. Anywhere. LULZ: Look we have our pick of many social networks. Take it outside. This is not the place.
5. Your name is all lower case: This is kind of a weird one, because there do seem to be some cultures where this is widely considered acceptable. Nonetheless, if your name is not capitalized properly (or the rest of your profile) I will not accept your connection request.
6. It says LION in your title: Maybe it’s the Midwesterner in me (can someone get her out?!) but I’m not a fan of this practice. It makes me feel like perhaps you are “collecting” me as a connection and I don’t like being objectified that way.
7. It says MLM in your title: I dislike multi-level marketing schemes a great deal because they often prey on personal relationships. If I already know you as a professional, I will not unfriend you because of this but if you’re a stranger to me, I will not accept an MLM type request.

Other no-nos:

• I can see boobs and/or chest hair.
• There is a picture of a kitten, object or child in your profile pic.
• You are the CEO of your house/life/destiny.
• Any connection request that talks about my appearance (smile, hair, face, youth, dress, etc). (I suspect many people feel the same way, a good chunk of them women.)

Things that surprisingly don’t bother me at all:

• A non-personalized connection request: This will not keep me from connecting with you, but it doesn’t make you stand out from the crowd either. If you want to hire me or do business with me or have me review your product, you should personalize.
• Lots of flattery: I am human after all… 🙂
• Disagreement with something I have written or presented lately.

What about you? Do you have an arbitrary set of rules around Connection Requests?

*Please note: This post is entirely subjective. You may have different reasons for being on LinkedIn than I do and are free to slam me in the comments for my parameters. But they are mine, and I’m stickin to em.

Maren Hogan

Maren Hogan is CEO of Red Branch and general Bad@$$

Maren Hogan is a seasoned marketer and community builder in the HR and Recruiting industry. Maren started Red Branch Media and, before she hired all the smiling faces you see below, she ran it on her own. In marketing for over 15 years, she has deep experience in strategic campaigns and a long-term, results-based operational approach.