In previous posts I’ve warned of the dangers of sending unsolicited requests on LinkedIn. Ideally any request to connect on LinkedIn should be accompanied by a message explaining why you would like to connect. For more advice on how to request to connect on LinkedIn the right way check out my post here.
Over the past few days a LinkedIn request or rather the response to it has gone viral. As well as highlighting the dangers of unsolicited requests this example also shows that when rejecting a response it pays to be polite as well!
It all started with a simple unsolicited request from recent grad Diana Mekota who was moving back from university to Cleveland, Ohio. In her rush to get a graduate role she fired off requests to recruiters and job banks in the hope of unearthing some opportunities. One of these requests was sent to Kelly Blazek who runs a job bank and was well connected on LinkedIn with nearly 1000 connections.
The response that Diana got was a little rude to say the least:
Ms Blazek wrote: “We have never met. We have never worked together. Apparently you have heard that I produce a Job Bank, and decided it would be stunningly helpful for your career prospects if I shared my 960+ LinkedIn connections with you – a total stranger who has nothing to offer me.”
“Your invite to connect is inappropriate, beneficial only to you, and tacky,” the email continues.
“Wow, I cannot wait to let every 26-year-old jobseeker mine my top-tier marketing connections to help them land a job. Love the sense of entitlement in your generation; you’re welcome for your humility lesson for the year. Don’t ever reach out to senior practitioners again and assume their carefully curated list of connections is available to you, just because you want to build your network.”
Ms Blazek also said she would deny Ms Mekota’s request to receive the job bank emails. “I suggest you join the other Job Bank in town. Oh wait – there isn’t one.”
“Don’t ever write me again,” the email ends.
In response Diana tried to email Kelly Blazek to explain her actions but got no further reply. With no other way to turn Diana did what any savvy social media user would do and posted her reply on Imgur and Reddit.
Before long the whole thing went viral as Blazek’s reply was shared around the globe. Blazek has since apologised but from the looks of it the damage is done. I tried to find her LinkedIn profile today but it seems to have gone down.
So, if you are an employer or recruiter and someone sends you an unsolicited message remember that it’s best to be polite when replying otherwise you could end up like Kelly Blazek with internet fame and not so much fortune!
Have you ever had a rude reply on LinkedIn?
Or, are you sick of unsolicited messages?
Let us know in the comments below!
Share your comments and feedback