We know that not everyone uses LinkedIn, just as not everyone uses other social media channels such as Facebook, Instagram, or Pinterest. It’s not a bad thing, but LinkedIn was created for one purpose—to connect with and grow our professional network while increasing our opportunities.

InMails are often sent by recruiters reaching out to connect and introduce new opportunities.  Whether you are interested in new opportunities or not, declining InMail’s can impact your career in several subtle but significant ways.

Missed networking opportunities

InMails are often sent by professionals and recruiters looking to connect for potential collaborations, career opportunities, or informational exchanges. Declining them can mean missing out on valuable connections that might advance your career immediately or in the future that can help you access valuable insights. Engaging in opportunities to network and connect could present chances to refer previous colleagues to recruiters or create relationships that may be needed in the future.

Limited industry knowledge and insights

Sometimes, InMails come from peers in your industry who want to share ideas, industry insights, or new trends. Ignoring or declining these could result in fewer opportunities to stay informed and gain perspectives outside of your current bubble, which can make you seem less proactive and knowledgeable.

Potential harm to your personal brand

Being accessible and open to discussions can enhance your professional image. Declining InMails, particularly if you’re perceived as unreachable, might signal a reluctance to engage, impacting how others perceive your openness, collaboration style, and approachability. Whether you’re open to new opportunities or not, being professional and responding to people reaching out to you is courteous and polite.

Lost chances for mentorship and learning

Many InMails are outreach attempts from early-career professionals or students seeking guidance, collaboration, or mentorship. Declining these can mean missing a chance to be seen as a leader in your field and to develop meaningful relationships that could benefit both parties long-term.

If the volume of InMails is overwhelming, a balanced approach might include briefly reviewing messages to determine which ones are worth exploring, and even politely declining when necessary without fully shutting off the opportunity.

Important notes

• Great recruiters will only InMail you with opportunities they think are a real opportunity for you – not for everyone in your field.

• Great recruiters will qualify your skills and experience before contacting you – to not only reduce wasting their own time but yours too. Recruiters work by successfully finding the right person for the role they are working on, and without doing this they don’t make money.  A good recruiter would never look to waste time.

• Great recruiters will have all the information you need to make an informed decision about whether the opportunity is of interest to you.  If you have questions they can’t instantly answer, they will go away and find the answers for you.

Beware—not all recruiters are great, so do some research on the kind of recruiter you’re speaking to.

Next time you receive an InMail from a recruiter take 2 minutes out of your day to respond. Expand your network and create opportunities for yourself.