My boss invited me to join. Workplace hierarchy doesn’t stop at the computer screen. But what if your boss is lousy? “It’s an invitation you sort of have to take,” says Mark Webster, a New York creative director whose former boss invited him to link up while they worked together.
A subordinate invited me. A boss is one thing, but what about that annoying intern who wants to piggyback on all your contacts? “There’s never a polite way to say no,” says David Hansson, a blogger and software developer. Besides, who knows? Someday that intern might be your boss.
I don’t want to be a reference. LinkedIn isn’t just about networking—users can serve as professional references, too. But what if a contact isn’t someone you’d vouch for in the workplace? “In the real world, there are ways to get around it,” says Abby Nichols, a San Francisco lawyer. “I worry that someone could use my connections even though I don’t necessarily endorse them.”
I barely know who you are. The easiest way to brush off an invitation is to simply ignore it. But be careful: on the Web, inaction can speak louder than words, especially if it’s a vague acquaintance who doesn’t know you’ve got better things to do. The safest strategy? Just say yes.
