LinkedIn is a powerful platform for professional networking, where you can send connection requests to expand your network. However, there are times when you may want to cancel a connection request—perhaps you sent a request by mistake, or you changed your mind about connecting with a particular person.
In this guide, we will walk you through the step-by-step process of how to cancel a connection request on LinkedIn, both on the desktop version and the mobile app, along with some useful tips to manage your connection requests effectively.
Why You May Want to Cancel a Connection Request
There are several reasons you might want to cancel a LinkedIn connection request, including:
- Sent by Mistake: You may have accidentally sent a request to the wrong person, or misunderstood the person’s identity or role.
- Change of Mind: After sending a request, you might realize that the connection isn’t relevant to your professional goals or that you prefer not to connect with them.
- Pending for Too Long: If someone hasn’t responded to your connection request in a long time, you may prefer to cancel it and focus on building connections with others.
- Professional Etiquette: In some cases, you may want to avoid coming across as too forward or aggressive, especially if you’ve already sent multiple requests to people in the same organization or field.
Canceling a connection request is simple and non-intrusive. The recipient will not be notified that you’ve canceled the request, which gives you the flexibility to manage your connection requests without worry.
How to Cancel a Connection Request on LinkedIn
On Desktop
Here are the steps to cancel a LinkedIn connection request using the desktop version:
- Log into Your LinkedIn Account: Open a web browser, go to LinkedIn, and log in to your account if you’re not already signed in.
- Go to the ‘My Network’ Tab: On the LinkedIn homepage, at the top of the screen, you’ll see several tabs. Click on the “My Network” tab to view your connection invites, along with people who have sent you requests.
- View Sent Invitations: In the “My Network” section, click on “Manage” at the top right of the Invitations section. This will take you to a new page where you can see all of your received and sent invitations.
- Switch to ‘Sent’ Tab: Once you’re on the Invitations page, you’ll see two tabs: Received and Sent. Click on the “Sent” tab to view all the connection requests that you’ve sent but haven’t been accepted yet.
- Cancel a Connection Request: You’ll now see a list of all the people to whom you’ve sent requests. To cancel a request, simply click on the “Withdraw” button next to the person’s name. This will cancel the connection request, and LinkedIn will not notify the person that you withdrew your request.
- Confirmation of Cancellation: After you click “Withdraw,” the request will be immediately canceled, and it will no longer appear in your list of sent invitations.
On Mobile App
Canceling a connection request on LinkedIn’s mobile app is just as simple. Here’s how to do it:
- Open the LinkedIn App: Launch the LinkedIn app on your smartphone and log in to your account.
- Go to ‘My Network’: At the bottom of the screen, tap on the “My Network” icon. This will take you to a page that shows your network, connection suggestions, and invitations.
- Access Sent Invitations: In the upper right corner of the “My Network” page, tap on the “Manage” button. This will take you to a list of your pending invitations.
- Switch to ‘Sent’ Invitations: Once you’re in the Invitations page, tap the “Sent” tab to see all of the connection requests you’ve sent.
- Cancel a Request: To cancel a connection request, find the person’s name in the “Sent” list, and tap the “Withdraw” button next to their name.
- Confirmation: The connection request will be immediately canceled, and the person will not receive any notification about the withdrawal.
Important Things to Know About Canceling LinkedIn Connection Requests
1. No Notifications
LinkedIn does not notify the recipient when you cancel a connection request. This means you can withdraw requests without worrying about causing any offense or creating awkward situations.
2. Re-Sending a Connection Request
If you cancel a connection request, you can send a new request to the same person later. However, LinkedIn limits how often you can withdraw and re-send requests to the same person, so it’s best to wait some time before sending another request.
3. Expired Connection Requests
Connection requests on LinkedIn automatically expire after six months. If a person doesn’t accept your request within that time frame, the invitation will be canceled, and you can send a new one if needed.
4. Professional Courtesy
If you’re withdrawing a request because the person hasn’t responded, it’s a good practice to wait at least a couple of weeks before canceling it. Some professionals may not check LinkedIn regularly, and immediate cancellations can sometimes seem impatient.
Managing Your Pending Connection Requests
Regularly managing your pending LinkedIn connection requests is important for keeping your network focused and organized. Here are a few tips:
1. Keep Track of Pending Requests
It’s a good habit to periodically review your sent connection requests. LinkedIn doesn’t provide a direct notification when someone ignores your request, so checking your “Sent” list helps you keep track of requests that have been pending for a long time.
2. Quality Over Quantity
While growing your LinkedIn network is important, focusing on quality over quantity is key. Sending random or irrelevant connection requests can lead to a cluttered network. Canceling unnecessary or outdated requests can help you maintain a more meaningful and targeted professional network.
3. Consider Personalizing Requests
Before sending a connection request, personalize the invitation with a brief message explaining why you’d like to connect. This can increase the chances of acceptance and help you avoid having to cancel requests that go ignored.
Conclusion
Canceling a connection request on LinkedIn is a simple process, whether you’re using the desktop version or the mobile app. Managing your sent requests ensures that your network stays clean and relevant, and it also gives you the chance to re-focus your efforts on connecting with the right professionals.