Networking with coworkers on LinkedIn can be tricky, but doing so tactfully can open up opportunities for career growth, learning, and collaboration. Here are some tips on how to send LinkedIn connection requests to coworkers in a professional, non-awkward way.
Understand the benefits of connecting
Before reaching out to coworkers, think through why you want to connect on LinkedIn in the first place. Some potential benefits include:
- Gaining new perspectives by learning about their backgrounds and past experiences
- Tapping into their networks for career opportunities, job openings, introductions, etc.
- Keeping in touch if one of you leaves the company in the future
- Showcasing your work collaboration and team membership to external audiences
Having a clear purpose will help frame your request in a professional manner.
Be selective about who you connect with
Avoid mass connection requests to everyone in your workplace. Focus on connecting with coworkers you directly work with, manage, or would like to build closer working relationships with. Quality over quantity is key.
For example, prioritize linking up with teammates on projects, your direct reports, your manager and their peers, colleagues in your department, and cross-functional partners you interface with regularly.
Personalize your request
When asking to connect on LinkedIn, customize your message based on your relationship and interactions with the coworker.
For newer coworkers, explain where you know them from and share why you’d like to connect. For example: “Hi [name], I wanted to send you a connection request since we’re both working on the [project name] team. I’m looking forward to collaborating and thought connecting on LinkedIn would be great for sharing updates and resources.”
For long-time colleagues, highlight your shared work history and interest in staying connected: “Hi [name], we’ve worked together for [X years] now on [initiatives, goals, etc.]. I’d love to connect on LinkedIn to continue our collaboration and stay in touch in the future.”
The more personalized your request, the better received it will be.
Send individualized requests
Avoid mass, generic connection requests. Take the time to customize both who you send requests to and what message you include. One-click connection requests should be reserved for people you already have an established relationship with outside of work.
Consider timing
Aim to connect with colleagues once you’ve established a bit of rapport through working together. Don’t send LinkedIn requests right away to brand new coworkers or before you’ve even met them. But also don’t wait too long after starting on a team or project together.
Good timing is typically a few weeks to months after initially interacting with a coworker, when you’ve had a chance to demonstrate shared contributions and value.
Use Settings to avoid awkwardness
To prevent coworkers from feeling obligated or pressured, adjust your LinkedIn settings to private mode. This ensures connections remain discreet and prevents notifications about new connections from being broadcasted to the rest of your network.
You can also directly note in your request message that you have these privacy controls activated. For example: “I have my LinkedIn connections set to private to be respectful of everyone’s preferences, so rest assured this request will be confidential.”
Accept possible rejection gracefully
Not everyone will want to connect on LinkedIn, even long-time coworkers. Don’t take it personally if you receive declined or ignored requests. Move forward professionally without harboring any resentment.
Similarly, avoid repeatedly sending connection invites to the same colleagues if they’ve already ignored past requests. Take the hint and focus your efforts elsewhere.
Remember it’s optional
Connecting with colleagues on LinkedIn is ultimately optional. No one is obligated to accept requests, even from their superiors or direct reports. Make it clear in your outreach that you fully respect if they prefer not to connect on social media.
Never pressure or coerce coworkers to link up on LinkedIn. Stick to organic relationship building instead.
Prioritize in-person cultivation
The strength of your offline working relationship will influence the reception of your online connection requests. Invest time cultivating strong rapport with colleagues through everyday interactions before reaching out on LinkedIn.
Also follow up a LinkedIn request with a friendly in-person exchange, such as thanking them for accepting or letting them know there’s no pressure if they’d rather not connect.
Avoid abusing access
Resist the temptation to abuse having coworkers in your network by spamming them with irrelevant messages, aggressive sales pitches, or frequent endorsements for skills they don’t actually have.
You don’t want to betray their trust or make them regret accepting your request. Keep communications focused on meaningful exchanges.
Maintain professionalism
Interacting with coworkers on LinkedIn still requires workplace etiquette. Be mindful of organizational norms, confidentiality, and professional boundaries.
Don’t overshare or post negative comments about your employer or colleagues publicly. Uphold the same discretion and conduct standards expected in the office.
Proactively manage your profile and activity
Having colleagues in your network means they’ll be exposed to your profile information and activity. Take proactive steps to ensure your presence on LinkedIn is employer-friendly.
Maintain a professional profile summary, job history, photo, posts, and engagement. Your goal is to avoid any misperceptions or reputational risks.
Expand connections strategically
Once you’ve organically built up your coworker base, consider broadening your in-company network more widely. Look for opportunities to connect with peers in other departments, roles, locations, etc.
HR or internal communications teams may also have tips for networking across the organization.
Reinforce shared goals
Periodically share updates, articles, and opportunities with your coworker connections that provide value and align to organizational objectives.
This transforms LinkedIn into a platform for achieving workplace goals versus just socializing. Proactively communicate the professional purpose.
Make good use of Company Pages
Follow and actively engage with your employer’s Company Page on LinkedIn. Encourage coworkers to do the same.
Company Pages allow leadership to share updates, employees to showcase their work, and colleagues to support each other’s contributions. Use it to build culture.
Set an example from the top
Managers should be proactive about sending LinkedIn connection requests to their team members. It signals endorsement from leadership.
Senior executives connecting with up-and-comers can also have an outsized impact by making them feel recognized.
Align with company policy
Before requesting LinkedIn connections from coworkers, check if your employer has any policies regarding social media, confidentiality, or internal networking to be aware of and abide by.
Violating organizational guidelines can jeopardize working relationships and even result in disciplinary action.
Consider alternatives
Some individuals may not be comfortable connecting on LinkedIn specifically but are open to other platforms. Propose following each other on Twitter, Facebook, or private collaboration tools instead.
The goal is developing working ties, not mandating LinkedIn as the only channel. Offer options.
In summary, use good judgment when sending LinkedIn connection requests within your workplace. Be selective, personalized, and professional. Focus on forging stronger working ties through online networking. Handled thoughtfully, connecting with coworkers on LinkedIn can yield significant career and business benefits.