LinkedIn Inboxing

37 Comments

1. AnonymousOctober 9,2024 at 2:03PM UTC

   I would not feel good about being boxed in. My take would be that your management has the final say but you would put in a good word (This would probably get them off your back). After that, wait until the full interview process and post interview discussions are done before you and your manager make the decision. Note that your manager may defer to your judgement.

2. AnonymousOctober 9,2024 at 2:48PM UTC

   Oh, I get to select who gets hired for the role in question.

3. AnonymousOctober 9,2024 at 2:43PM UTC

   If they are qualified and have the skills and are not spamming you they are just trying to get to the top of the pile. It's not the smartest move given your reaction and that of others who prefer to not be directly contacted. You can change your LI to not take any direct mails if this bothers you. I think the way to deal with it is give them the attention they want by either quickly asking your talent person to reject or advance them as you see fit. Then you don't have to have the angst of anything about it.

4. AnonymousOctober 9,2024 at 2:47PM UTC

   I wouldn't say I have angst about it. I was just curious what other people thought.

5. KatOctober 9,2024 at 2:44PM UTC

   They're either desperate or think that their persistence will show how dedicated/passionate they are about the position. Honestly, I'd be put off by it. I might be less inclined to interview them because of this. If they're this pushy/needy now, what kind of employee will they be? Are they going to bombard me with emails over every little thing? In the meantime, don't respond to their messages beyond a simple "we are still in the hiring process" type general email.

6. AnonymousOctober 9,2024 at 3:36PM UTC

   As a job searcher, I'm glad to read this message. I've been told to stand out from other applicants it was good ideas to reach out to the hiring manager. Please note that the person who contacted you may have received the same advice. It's such a difficult market and some of us have been looking for months or others, years that it's been advised even on this boards as taking an initiative rather than problematic. I'm going to rethink doing so in the future if this is the reaction.

7. AnonymousOctober 9,2024 at 6:37PM UTC

   I've received similar advice and the introvert in me just was not comfortable in doing that.

8. AnonymousOctober 9,2024 at 3:47PM UTC

   I wouldn’t care how qualified they are. Contacting you before an interview is way too pushy and entitled for me. This is who you will have to work with and give orders to. No no no. Find someone else.

9. AnonymousOctober 9,2024 at 4:35PM UTC

   This would be immediately off-putting for me. I would see them as someone pushy that I wouldn't want to manage. Who I decide to interview is my decision based on my careful review of application materials. Stand out in a well-written cover letter instead.

10. AnonymousOctober 9,2024 at 6:22PM UTC

    I ignore out-of-process inquiries. It's confusing and will not allow then to jump the line. It's important to keep a level playing field. I will ask for referrals later in the process. I don't need to get a preview of their interview.

11. AnonymousOctober 9,2024 at 8:41PM UTC

    That's really out of line. But I guess it's a desperate market right now.

12. kay JackOctober 10,2024 at 12:24PM UTC

    It really is horrible out here but this person needs to remain professional not become annoying .

13. AnonymousOctober 9,2024 at 9:21PM UTC

    Ugh. Not cool.

14. AnonymousOctober 10,2024 at 12:31AM UTC

    My experience has been that anyone who is that "extra" before they even get hired is going to be a massive PITA once they have the job. I've had people who red-flagged up front but nailed the experience and the interviews and ended up being offered the position. Every single time their behavior in the beginning was much closer to their actual performance. I won't make that mistake again.

15. AnonymousOctober 10,2024 at 1:53AM UTC

    So they left you a voice message expressing their interest in a job? What’s the harm in reviewing their resume and letting them know if they are/aren’t a fit and having HR set up a screening? If you see potential? This job market is brutal and companies seem to be looking for unicorns so job seekers are trying to stand out or make sure ATS robots don’t screen them out. Just remember today you have a job but one day you may be in this position so treat someone how you’d want to be treated.

16. So BusyOctober 10,2024 at 1:49PM UTC

    I agree. It’s a tough job market. Everyone is trying to stand out. A little patience and understanding goes a long way.

17. AnonymousOctober 10,2024 at 12:23PM UTC

    You are 100% correct. It is being encouraged these days to network by any means necessary to secure a role . However,this person probably should follow the instructions of the OP after the initial inbox message .

18. AnonymousOctober 10,2024 at 12:36PM UTC

    I guess for me it would depend on what their message was and the whole tone of the interactions. If they did a simple introduction and maybe an overview of why they felt they are a good fit, I would consider seeing if my internal recruiter had their information. Being passionate is not always a bad thing however if they ignored your instructions and/or their messaging was really aggressive/pushy (basing this on the 'pleading their case' comment) I would think twice about what kind of an employee they would be. Especially if they haven't done the application process.

19. AnonymousOctober 10,2024 at 12:45PM UTC

    Simply reply, "Thank you for your interest. We will review all applicants through our tracking system (provide the link), then state and will contact those of interest for an interview." Or something to that effect. To the person who stated that that's what career coaches are telling them to do. YES! That is exactly what is taught and in this market, standing out and connecting is very important. It also helps brand your company as one that is responsive and one to work for. A reply is simply an acknowledgement. Which is a lot of what people need to at least be "seen". Or you could ask your TA team to look and see if the person has applied. Applicants can come from all angles, not just through an ATS system. But I understand it's required for many, a little acknowledgement helps candidates and also, helps you brand for future employees.

20. Julie Chatman, MBA, CISMOctober 10,2024 at 12:46PM UTC

    Unprofessional

    Potential show stopper

21. AnonymousOctober 10,2024 at 1:29PM UTC

    Recently an entire HR dept was fired because after getting 0 candidates for a posting, the hiring mgr submitted an application with his own info and the ATS weeded him out promptly. This happens to applicants so frequently they reach out to increase the chance their resume gets seen by someone beyond a computer. It’s recommended by many career coaches to contact the hiring mgr. Although I agree a short email would be more professional, I wouldn’t write someone off for the phone msg. Take look at their application before rejecting them.

22. Erica Lea DossOctober 11,2024 at 12:47PM UTC

    Yes, she states that they had already reached out to her via her inbox and she told them to follow the channels listed in the job posting. I don't think there should be an issue with that, but leaving a phone message AFTER that to plead your case for the position would make me a little wary.

23. Sue Gordon- retired Career CoachOctober 10,2024 at 2:03PM UTC

    If it is extreme and pushy, ignore and push their application aside. If the communication is professional and perhaps asking for more info, you can reply as you deem appropriate— either provide info or tell her to wait for interview or look at website. If professional you can consider them strong on the initiative and interest side, so don’t discard them due to outreach on LinkedIn.

24. Erica Lea DossOctober 11,2024 at 12:38PM UTC

    I would agree with this, as long as they had already followed the instructed protocol on the job listing. Yes, it can show determination and initiative and even prove that they can research a solution/answer on their own (since they found OP's personal office number) which can all be good features in many professional roles.

    Yet, if they completely circumvented the instructions and didn't also follow the protocol to apply, then I would be wary as it MAY mean that they think they can take short cuts to get what they want or what they think they deserve. Depending on the position, this can be an unprofessional and potentially dangerous mindset.

    It might be worth at least doing an initial short screening interview to see if you can get an idea of their personality as well as clarifying qualifications. If qualifications aren't there, then it is a moot point.

25. AnonymousOctober 10,2024 at 2:54PM UTC

    If there is a process in place, then no, I don’t.

26. AnonymousOctober 10,2024 at 3:12PM UTC

    Yikes! You don't understand that this behavior subverts the process that's in place and described in the job posting.

27. Joan Williams, Senior Talent Acquisition SpecialistOctober 11,2024 at 12:50AM UTC

    It tells they already are not interested in following your instructions/operating procedures.

28. AnonymousOctober 11,2024 at 12:34PM UTC

    I'd respond with empathy and clear direction moving forward. It's hard to say 'they're not interested in following your instructions...' Wish them well, and let them know that this job wasn't the one. Ask them to understand. I would hope you'd provided constructive feedback. We don't know everyone's pressures they're dealing with. Yes, I'm a recruiter of a global company and yes, people are struggling.

29. Erica Lea DossOctober 11,2024 at 12:45PM UTC

    She did state, " I told them on LinkedIn to submit their application materials through the channels LISTED IN THE JOB POSTING", and that was AFTER they had already reached out to her Inbox...yet, they still called her office phone, which I'm guessing from the post, was NOT part of the "channels listed in the job posting."

30. AnonymousOctober 11,2024 at 1:24PM UTC

    In pleading their case, did they indicate that they did indeed submit their application materials? If they did not, follow up their original email or LinkedIn message with something along the lines of "Hello Wannabe Candidate, I did receive your voice message. As I indicated in my earlier reply to you, please be sure to submit your application materials through the prescribed process."

31. Joan Williams, Senior Talent Acquisition SpecialistOctober 12,2024 at 8:44PM UTC

    Where did I say anything about dismissing a candidate?

32. Angie EluezeOctober 13,2024 at 10:54AM UTC

    I don’t see this as pushy…I have over ten years of experience and I’m finding it hard to get in front of hiring managers. I’ve been on the job market for over a year. People are using every tactic to show they want the job. Many people are finding email addresses and LI accounts of the hiring team as a way to show they want the opportunity. We have to show some grace, this market is shits and if she/they have the experience to do the job I wouldn’t over look their application.

33. Kris WolframOctober 13,2024 at 12:51PM UTC

    I ignore them.

34. AnonymousOctober 13,2024 at 1:24PM UTC

    LinkedIn stalking is annoying - you can report the person if it continues after the asking the person to go through formal channels. Ignore them - it will go away and if not report the activity.

35. Sue Gordon- retired Career CoachOctober 13,2024 at 4:20PM UTC

    Long message after a professional and polite reply? Then no to consideration.

36. Joan Williams, Senior Talent Acquisition SpecialistOctober 13,2024 at 9:26PM UTC

    I most certainly did not say that. Nor does what I said mean that.

37. AnonymousOctober 14,2024 at 2:41PM UTC

    I would say this as a red flag and I would have concerns about this person's EQ. The LinkedIn inbox is appropriate. Where it goes over the line for me is the long voicemail. It feels a bit invasive and overly aggressive. If they continue, I would block them. I understand that it's a tough job market, but candidates are not putting themselves in a better situation by stalking and badgering hiring managers.