16 June 2026
As someone in a lead role, I receive a lot of connection requests on platforms like LinkedIn. Most of them look almost identical. A request arrives with no message, no context, no explanation — just "I'd like to connect." I understand the intention. People want to get noticed. They hope that by appearing in someone's network, they might increase their chances of being hired one day. The idea makes sense. The execution usually doesn't.
The mistake most people make
A silent request says almost nothing about you. It gives no context, no signal of value, and no reason for the other person to care about the connection. More importantly, it shifts the effort onto them — as if they should now go and figure out who you are, what you do, and why this request matters. Most people won't. Not because they're rude, but because they're busy.
So what actually works?
Clarity and intent. If you're reaching out, say why. You don't need a perfectly crafted pitch or a long introduction — even a short message changes the interaction completely.
Consider two approaches. One person sends a request with no message. Another sends something like this:
Hi Ihor, I noticed you're leading a product design team at [Company]. I've been working in product design for 5+ years, focusing on improving product performance — for example, increasing conversion rates by 25% and reducing time on task. I'd love for you to take a look at my portfolio. I've highlighted my strongest projects here: [link]. If there's ever an opportunity to contribute, I'd be glad to connect.
Same platform. Same goal. Completely different impression. One approach is passive. The other is intentional.
Why this works
This isn't about perfection. It's about awareness, effort, and respect for the other person's time. Most importantly, you're not waiting to be discovered — you're presenting yourself. That alone already puts you ahead of most people.
Does this guarantee a job? No. You still need strong work, clear thinking, and real experience. But it does something important: it makes you memorable. Even if there isn't an open role today, you might be revisited later, recommended internally, or forwarded to another team. Those things rarely happen through silence alone.
Go one step further
Most people stop at applying, which usually means joining a queue with hundreds — sometimes thousands — of other candidates. There's another option: reach out directly to the hiring manager. At the end of the day, they care less about how you found them and more about solving a problem. I've tested this myself — applied normally and reached out directly. Got a response the next day, interview scheduled within a week. Same role. Different approach.
Networking is not social media
If you want to build a meaningful network, don't treat it like Instagram or Facebook — treat it like a long-term investment. Instead of "Let's connect," try something simple and human:
Hey Bob, I came across your team's work and really liked your approach to [specific thing]. I'm working in a similar space and thought it would make sense to stay in touch.
Short, specific, real. That's enough.
Don't be afraid to reach out
Founders, CEOs, hiring managers, team leads — they're not unreachable. They're people doing their job. And from my experience, the more experienced someone is, the more open they often are to thoughtful, meaningful conversations.
The idea is simple
If you want to stand out, don't be silent, don't be generic, and don't wait in line. Be intentional. Play the long game. Start building relationships before you urgently need them.
Final thought
You don't need thousands of connections. You need the right ones — and for them to remember you. That's what tends to make the difference.
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3 June 2026