Part 1: Why I Ignore Your LinkedIn Connection Request (and How You Can Change That)
If you work in Sales or Business Development in the Global Mobility industry, there’s a good chance you’ve tried to connect with someone like me on LinkedIn. And if your request went unanswered, there’s an equally good chance the problem wasn’t your product, your company, or even your timing. More often, the issue is how you approached me.
As a corporate Mobility professional, I am always open to connecting with fellow industry peers who add value. But like many people on the corporate side, my LinkedIn inbox is overflowing with sales pitches and generic connection requests. And the difference between someone I engage with or ignore nearly always comes down to three things: effort, respect and relevance.
Because in Global Mobility, an industry built on trust, relationships and long-term partnership, the tone of your first interaction says more about you than anything else.
So the things that annoy me…
1. Empty LinkedIn Requests: The Fastest Way to Be Ignored
As a BD professional, if you can’t be bothered to explain why we should connect, why should I? I will ignore you. You’re relying on me to do the work, to guess why you reached out, what you want, and why this connection might matter.
For most of us a LinkedIn network isn’t about collecting contacts. It’s about relevance, trust, insights, meaningful exchange, and helping each other.
When I receive a blank request, it feels lazy and transactional. And transactional is the opposite of how Global Mobility relationships should work.
The same with the classic “Hi…, let’s connect.” With nothing else.
No let’s not. Let’s both make better choices.
Something like this stands out instead:
“Hi …, I heard you speak about x at the x event. I work with similar organisations on this challenge and would value connecting and maybe exchanging knowledge and ideas.”
You don’t need a long intro. You just need context and personalisation.
Ask yourself:
• How did you find me?
• Why me, specifically?
• What’s the purpose of connecting, beyond trying to sell me something?
• Did we meet recently? Did you attend an event where we crossed paths
A personalised note signals professionalism and respect. And respect is remembered.
2. Fake Familiarity
We can spot manufactured warmth instantly. And nothing makes us hit “Ignore” faster than forced friendliness from someone we’ve never met:
• “Hope you’re crushing Q1!” (please never say this)
• “Loved your latest thought leadership!” (when I haven’t posted anything…)
• “Great to see you at [insert event]!” (when I wasn’t there.)
If we’ve never met, please don’t talk to me as if we’re old colleagues reuniting after years apart. Familiarity without relationship feels insincere and insincerity is a terrible starting point in our world where trust is everything.
Authenticity beats clever phrasing every single time.
3. LinkedIn Isn’t a Shortcut to Your Sales Pipeline
Like many of us, I’ve spent years curating a LinkedIn network made up of people I trust, people I’ve worked with, and people who bring real insight into the Mobility ecosystem. My network isn’t a gateway to your pipeline.
When someone treats a connection request like a backstage pass to immediate pitching, it signals that you’re here to extract, not contribute.
And yes, this is an annoyance because it misunderstands how corporate Mobility works. We are long-cycle, cross-functional, and deeply risk-aware. If your first move is connect, pitch, push, it tells me everything I need to know about how you would behave as a partner.
So my recommended formula for better LinkedIn outreach:
1. Relevance
Give me something showing you know who I am and why you’re reaching out to me specifically.
2. Value
Explain the mutual value of us connecting. And maybe offer something useful - an insight, observation, perspective, trend, resource, event invitation – without a pitch.
3. Permission
Ask, don’t assume
“If you’re open to it, I’d appreciate connecting here to exchange perspectives.”
So with a bit of respect, effort and relevance, you’re improved the chances of earning the right to join my professional network.
Global Mobility is a high-trust, long-game function. If your first LinkedIn touch feels rushed, generic, or pushy, it’s unlikely I’ll want to trust you with employees, data, or brand reputation.
The good news? A small amount of effort and respect instantly elevates you above 90% of the generic noise.
- Anonymous Expat Academy Member