Unsolicited messages on LinkedIn

25 Comments

1. AnonymousDecember 19,2022 at 3:47PM UTC

   Not over-reacting. He is overreaching, almost to the point of stalking. If you know of an open position in another department, you might send him a link to where to apply. Otherwise, don't engage him. Is he approaching you on social media, like Facebook or LinkedIn? There are ways to block or hide messages from unwanted people on these systems.

2. AnonymousDecember 19,2022 at 6:53PM UTC

   This is unfortunately seen as a networking tactic. You can kindly request to be removed from their list .

3. AnonymousDecember 20,2022 at 2:21PM UTC

   This is because career coaches all over LinkedIn and tiktok are pushing this narrative to message people directly in companies they applied to. I have seen this a lot on tiktok and always felt indifferent about it.

   The purpose is to network yourself, find the “hidden job market.”

   If it works I cannot say however, I do think you have a right to feel irritated.

4. AnonymousDecember 20,2022 at 10:53PM UTC

   and when people feel desperate, they get aggressive in their "networking" and "reaching out."

5. Tabbi KinionDecember 20,2022 at 3:12PM UTC

   You know that this person has a whole list of people he is contacting like this. It’s a tactic - not a great one, but I figure it must work for someone. It seems like you have three options - status quo and ignore him, be direct and ask him to stop and direct him to the jobs page for your company, or block him and move on.

6. AnonymousDecember 20,2022 at 3:16PM UTC

   You have to feel sorry for someone who thinks this is appropriate, he sounds desperate.

7. RichDecember 20,2022 at 6:08PM UTC

   We teach networking, to find positions in the "Hidden Job Market." For mid-to-late career professionals, studies consistently show that's the best method to land a job. BUT, BUT, BUT we stress you can't just reach out blindly. That's where the "net" in "networking" comes in.

   In this case, the best thing to do is to simply block their emails and not respond further. Setup a filter in your email client and route them directly to trash unread. You can block them in LinkedIn and other social media.

   The best method for people in this situation who want to network is to reach out to former co-workers and see if you can help them, with anything. Along the way, some will help you back. Sometimes that help will be a referral to someone. In that case, they should arrange an introduction.

   But when people become annoying, you are fully justified in blocking them so that you can ignore them.

8. Joan Williams, Senior Talent Acquisition SpecialistDecember 21,2022 at 3:01AM UTC

   I'd venture a guess that he's doing this because he read this advice from a so-called "experts" - it's all over LinkedIn all the time.

   It's not up to us to decide if you're overreacting - you have every right to feel how you feel. And given how you apparently feel, I don't see what you have to lose by being direct with him and telling him that you don't have any positions that are a fit for him and you would appreciate it if he stops contacting you.

   You can recommend that he keep an eye on your company website for future openings.

9. Marlane LordDecember 21,2022 at 1:33PM UTC

   If I were that person, I would first like you to tell me that you don't anticipate a position opening up in your group that matches my qualifications and that you would prefer I continue to check vacancies on social media. THEN block me if I continue to contact you anyway.

10. GirlBossanova934974December 21,2022 at 1:34PM UTC

    To simplify matters, I would just contact your HR Department and find out where the resume ended up. I would then have your HR Department contact the applicant. You should be out of the picture at this point.

11. surfnwriteDecember 21,2022 at 1:34PM UTC

    The person is misguided but probably means no harm. I would gently say this is not an effective tactic and he should network through traditional channels.

12. Crystal HowellDecember 21,2022 at 1:39PM UTC

    No you are just someone who responded to him, he is probably desperate for job.

    Just be polite and let him know you are not in the capacity of hiring at your firm, and send him the phone number for HR. He is panicking like most, during this time of the year, be kind. Merry Christmas

13. Kori BurkholderDecember 21,2022 at 1:44PM UTC

    It is a strategy for making connections and staying on your radar in case an opportunity arises at your company. He is taking a proactive stance. However, he may be misguided in his approach because you don't know him. It would have been better to build a relationship with you first before asking you for anything. I would give him some advice on networking, tell him that you forwarded your resume to HR and to keep following up with them from now on, and wish him the best of luck. Young professionals are learning these nuances.

14. Jacqueline CutlerDecember 21,2022 at 1:59PM UTC

    It is annoying but it's easy enough to just be polite. He's in a scary situation and trying to land a job; he could be in a desperate place.

    If you could give him the emails of the folks in HR rather than forward the emails that could take you out of the picture. And you can tell HR the truth that he has reached out to you but you don't know him, so it's neutral at work and helping him without vouching for a stranger.

15. Georgia SinghDecember 21,2022 at 1:59PM UTC

    If I may come at this from a vastly different lens...

    We are talking about LinkedIn. And LinkedIn is used for networking. Do you think this individual is reaching out because they are seeking a hand-up?

    It sounds like they are interested in working at the same organization that employs you. I'm not sure if your organization has recruiting events, if so

    that would be a great knowledge-share.

    If I may share a personal experience: Many years ago, I wanted to work for Jabil Circuits (great pay, great benefits, likeminded peers.) I reached out to HR when I was in college and expressed interest in an engineering position and asked if they had any intern positions. Well, I landed an interview...and the HR person ridiculed me for coming into the organization and filling out an application--mind you this was 27 years ago, and that's how you applied for jobs. I knew then that I was blocked and that my name probably went on a "do-not hire list" somewhere in HR. The gatekeepers to the organization crushed my young spirit and left me with an undesirable view of the organization.

    Today my heart goes out to the woman in HR who interviewed me, because today I realize she had something terrible going on in her life. Normal doesn't act that way.

    I wish you peace with the decision you make. And ask that you make that decision with kindness in your heart.

16. AnonymousDecember 21,2022 at 2:07PM UTC

    Everything you read about how to find a job as it’s difficult to be noticed is to do exactly what your experiencing.

    just filling out an application and sending your résumé isnt enough, especially in this current ghosting environment by employers

    Job Coaches especially in this current ghosting environment by employers, tell you to be this aggressive.

    everything you read about on how to find a job (as it’s difficult to be noticed)

    just filling out an application and sending your résumé tells you to be this aggressive although I find this frustrating on your end, I would just block the sender you’ve been polite you’ve said you can’t help them you’ve done everything.

    although I find this frustrating on your end, I would just block the sender you’ve been polite you’ve said you can’t help them you’ve done everything

    i’ve been a recruiter for many years and although I’ve actually had to eliminate people from the process for whatever reasons, legitimate for sure once they have your name in your email address, they are relentless. Is it a listening ability they’re lacking I don’t know, but they probably won’t go away easily so I would just block them.

17. AnonymousDecember 21,2022 at 2:28PM UTC

    He doesn't have to keep sending his resume unless he has something to add that might improve his chances. Other than that, as a jobseeker, sorry, checking in with you from time to time is not being pushy or annoying. Unless they pester you with asking if the hiring manager at your firm has gotten your resume each and every time they reach out to you, they are keeping contact with you, as opposed to using you, i.e. the type who only speak to you if they need or want something from you. So yes, you're over-reacting slightly.

18. AnonymousDecember 21,2022 at 3:18PM UTC

    the WHOLE purpose of linkedin is unsollicited messages and to expand your network. You are allowed to feel a little annoyed , but keep in mind WHY you are on that site, you don't even talk about if he has a good résumé. the hidden job market is a real thing , every person talks about it when talking about getting a job.

19. Elise PilkingtonDecember 21,2022 at 3:24PM UTC

    I think it depends on the frequency. Every week would get annoying pretty fast. Every other month I wouldn’t mind. Consider that your perspective as a gainfully employed person is likely different from his as an anxious job seeker.

    Ive seen this practice to be successful also; he likely doesn’t mind annoying a few managers if he lands a job in the end.

20. AnonymousDecember 21,2022 at 3:25PM UTC

    I understand the frustration. However, it doesn't hurt to have grace. He was just laid off and he is feeling the pressure and stress of trying to find a new job. Desperation it seems to me. He wants to be top of mind and it is LinkedIn where the purpose is to network. I would suggest if he sends another message let him know that there is no need to constantly send messages, you forwarded his resume to the appropriate department and they will reach out to him. Be upfront. We always need to put ourselves in others position and ask ourselves....if the tables were turned what would we do. It doesn't hurt to have grace.

21. Laura E. WendtDecember 21,2022 at 3:41PM UTC

    I'm all for grace! Life is tough enough.

22. AnonymousDecember 21,2022 at 3:42PM UTC

    I was taught to do this in a career development type class at my university! But they emphasized relationship building, and backing off if the person is unreceptive. He could genuinely think that he's building a relationship with you and doesn't realize how one sided it is.

    If it were me, I'd be kind but direct. Depending on the nuances of the situation I'd probably ask him point blank what he wants from me. If he has a concrete action step he wants me to take and it's easy for me to do, I'd likely do it and be clear that I can't engage beyond this one request. If he doesn't have a concrete action step or if he does and it's not something I'm willing/able to do, I'd let him know I "am not able to be of assistance" or "don't have bandwidth" and wish him best of luck on his journey. You don't need more explanation of why after that. Remember that "No." Is a complete sentence. And if you give more explanation, he's likely going to keep engaging. He might be someone who takes things extremely literally, so if you say I can't do x because of y, he might come back and ask you to do z instead. Some people don't have the EQ to take a hint. And then ignore and/or block if he does keep reaching out.

23. AnonymousDecember 21,2022 at 4:19PM UTC

    I wouldn't want to judge whether you are overreacting--if you are asking, you probably know the answer. I get your frustration, but a little empathy goes a long way for someone in that situation--it's horrible to lose a job and the longer one goes without a new position, the more terrifying it is. (Pretty sure that's not news to anyone here!) So maybe next time reiterate that you appreciate the contact and tell him directly that you do not have open positions in your department so there is no real benefit to him to keep contacting you...but HR has his resume. I assume he can reach out to them, so maybe share a general mailbox contact email.

24. AnonymousDecember 21,2022 at 5:23PM UTC

    This type of contact feels uninvited, borderline stalker-ish, annoying and unprofessional. On LinkedIn and other career websites this is what’s known as “networking “…… I don’t think you are overreacting at all. I’m with you. Cut this person off. You offered a Stranger help. Move on. Merry Christmas.

25. AnonymousDecember 21,2022 at 5:27PM UTC

    I get these all the time and am in a top HR function in my company. We are not hiring and often I get these from people whose skills have zero connection or alignment with us or me. I send a very simple reply. Sorry, I cannot help. Good luck in your search. It's simple, I don't refer folks in that I have not worked with nor had any experience with. In this age of automation the robotic impersonal acknowledgement of sending your resume to a job post means that people are struggling to find a human point of reference or a leg in. Respectfully, while that is certainly a thing and I have extreme empathy for how tough this current market is especially in tech, I do not believe that adding to someone's hope where there is not going to be much help is the right answer. But, responding is. Find your own simple way of saying good luck but not going to help.

    And yes, I always respond no matter what.