Comments on: How to Politely Decline a LinkedIn Invitation

By: Lori Ruff, The LinkedIn Diva

Lori Ruff, The LinkedIn Diva — Wed, 28 Dec 2011 18:21:07 +0000

Good question Manuel! If you click the arrow on the accept button, it will allow you to choose “Reply without Accepting”. Hope that helps!

By: Manuel

Manuel — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 23:58:54 +0000

Good article. I tried to reply something similar to the list of 300 pending invitation in my inbox. I however cannot find the “Send a message” button. How do you send a message before accepting an invitation?
Thank you,
Manuel

By: Ulla

Ulla — Wed, 05 Oct 2011 18:20:35 +0000

Thanks for your response, Scott! I really appreciate it. I’m learning a lot here, and learning fast. Best, Ulla

By: Scott Allen

Scott Allen — Tue, 27 Sep 2011 22:57:21 +0000

Go to Contacts, Connections, and then there’s a Remove Connections link on the top right. Here’s the direct link:
http://www.linkedin.com/connections?displayBreakConnections=

It would be a lot more intuitive for there to be a “Remove Connection” link on the profile of people you’re connected to, but LinkedIn apparently doesn’t agree.

By: Ulla

Ulla — Tue, 27 Sep 2011 13:55:40 +0000

Really good Post, thanks! I have a (somewhat related) question: On my LinkedIn account I have a few individuals from my former employment who asked me to join their LinkedIn network, and I accepted (thinking it was impolite not to say yes). This was in my totally naive phase. I am now at a different company and I really feel that I don’t want to share my professional information with them. How can I politely “unhook” myself from their network and get them out of mine? Thanks! Ulla

By: Suzanne

Suzanne — Sat, 23 Jul 2011 23:00:47 +0000

Thanks for the great advice. I received a couple of invites from complete strangers so used your suggested reply.

One person replied to say that he wanted to develop a very close and intimate relationship with me!

Even though it was a bit funny, I was shocked. Of course, it may have been an innocent message but I don’t think so.

I reported the message to LinkeIn as spam, but it strengthened my resolve to only connect with people I know well, or who are well-known industry leaders.

I have included the latter as I have received a couple of invites from people in that category and I do value those connections.

By: Ryan

Ryan — Fri, 15 Jul 2011 09:27:50 +0000

I think internet marketers and business people are now using linkedin to market their products and build their network. It’s now typical nowadays to get friend requests from people you don’t know. It’s sometimes very beneficial to your career. I know a physical injury lawyer who connects with other lawyers in other fields like criminal lawyers and business lawyers to exchange client referrals.

By: Robyn

Robyn — Tue, 31 May 2011 12:09:56 +0000

Thanks for sharing these tips here, I was actually wondering about this only the other day, lots of people have randomly decided to add me, with this info I will be able to decline them politely.

By: Jessica Bernard

Jessica Bernard — Thu, 19 May 2011 13:20:04 +0000

It’s always good to be human. At least we get to acknowledge those who tried to add us in LinkedIn. Ignoring them is just.. well.. harsh (I think).

By: Kenneth

Kenneth — Wed, 04 May 2011 15:14:57 +0000

Hi, thanks for the advice, it is really helpful, to know how to diplomatically decline someone… Great post!