Ask Samuel: Should I accept all LinkedIn Connection Requests?

Dear Samuel,

I’m a senior financial executive that is taking an active role in building my network. I’m finding that LinkedIn is a good tool. It allows me to keep track of who I know and stay visible to my network.

From time to time (and it’s getting more frequent) I get requests to connect with someone I don’t know. They either say that I know them as a Friend or I have worked with them in the past. While it could be possible that I met them once, I don’t remember.

Should I accept a connection request on LinkedIn from someone I don’t know?

Connecting in Connecticut

Dear Connecting,

I understand where you are coming from. Being as active on social media as I am, I get requests constantly to join people’s networks. So I developed a LinkedIn Connection Policy that I stick to. You can read my LinkedIn Policy in my previous post.

I also recommend that you read the postings of a fellow blogger, Joel Ungar, The SEC Auditor. You can read Part 1 and Part 2 of his blog – How NOT to Make a Connection on LinkedIn.

To answer your question in standard accountingease: It depends. It ultimately depends on what you want to accomplish on LinkedIn.

What should your LinkedIn Connection Policy be?

Thanks for writing,

Samuel

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