How to View Pending Connections on LinkedIn

As a LinkedIn user, you might wonder what LinkedIn pending connections are. Plus, you might be curious as to how to see pending LinkedIn requests.

Note: networking on LinkedIn isn’t just about sending connection requests. For meaningful networking, it is equally important to handle pending connection requests. After all, you don’t want to miss valuable connections.

We’ll guide you on how to view pending connections on LinkedIn and manage your connection invites effectively.

What Are Pending Connections on LinkedIn?

First things first, what are pending LinkedIn connection requests?

Simply put, pending connections are connection requests that are in limbo. 

These can be requests you’ve sent to others (outgoing) or requests you’ve received from others (incoming). They remain in this “pending” state until the recipient decides whether to accept or ignore the request.

In other words, when you send a connection request on LinkedIn, it enters a “pending” status until the recipient either accepts or declines the invitation. If they ignore it or forget to respond, the invite remains in this pending state indefinitely. 

While LinkedIn doesn’t bombard you with reminders about these, they can still clutter your network if left unchecked. They can also make it difficult to remember who you’ve reached out to or who has reached out to you. 

Knowing how to see pending connections on LinkedIn is essential to keep your network organized and ensure that your invitations don’t go unnoticed or forgotten. Plus, a clean and relevant network helps increase the value you get out of LinkedIn. 

Here are more reasons why managing your pending connections is essential:

• Expand your reach: Each new connection can introduce you to new opportunities, valuable insights, and potential partnerships. It is really important to know what to write in a LinkedIn connection request to make it valuable and catchy;
• Maintain a professional image: Promptly responding to connection requests highlights your professionalism;
• Build a targeted network: Carefully selecting which requests to accept ensures your network aligns with your professional goals.

How to Check Pending Connections on LinkedIn

So, what is the way and how to check pending connections on LinkedIn?

Well, it’s simpler than you might think, and doing so regularly can help you maintain a clean and active network. 

Here’s the step-by-step process:

1. Click on “My Network”: This is where you’ll find a list of all your pending connection requests;
2. Go to the Invitation Management Page: Click on “See all” to access the full list of your connection invites;
3. Check Received Invitations: By default, you’ll land on the “Received” tab, which shows the connection requests you’ve received. This is where you can Accept or Ignore the incoming requests;
4. View Sent Invitations: To see your outgoing connection requests, click on the “Sent” tab.

If you’re waiting to hear back from someone you’ve tried to connect with, and they haven’t responded yet, you have a couple of options:

• Withdraw the Invitation: This will cancel your connection request entirely;
• Send a LinkedIn InMail: If you’re still interested in connecting, sending an InMail can be a good way to follow up;
• Use automation software: Use Octopus CRM LinkedIn automation tool to send messages on LinkedIn and save your time.

Whether you decide to withdraw an invitation or send a follow-up message depends on your specific goals and the situation. Compare LinkedIn InMail vs connection request to decide which is works for you best. Whatever choice you make, be sure to communicate respectfully and professionally.

How to See Pending Connections on LinkedIn App

Managing LinkedIn on the go? No problem! 

You can also view pending connections on LinkedIn through the mobile app. 

Here’s where to find pending connections on LinkedIn using the app:

1. Open the LinkedIn App and then tap on ‘My Network.’ You’ll find this icon at the bottom of your screen;
2. Now you’ll see the Invitations you’ve received at the top. Tap on the arrow to the right [→] to access the Invitations management page and see the full list of the invitations you have received;
3. Similar to the desktop version, you’ll find a toggle between Received and Sent invitations. Tap on “Sent” to see your pending outgoing connection requests.

Using the app makes it easier to manage your LinkedIn connections wherever you are, ensuring you don’t miss any important networking opportunities. If you have too many pending connections, checking this regularly will help keep your networking efforts effective.

Why Should You Regularly Check LinkedIn Pending Connections?

Having many pending LinkedIn connections might seem normal, but there are a few reasons why you should stay on top of them:

1. Networking Strategy: Keeping track of your pending invitations can help you better strategize your networking efforts. If you notice certain invitations haven’t been accepted, you can reconsider your approach or follow up with a message;
2. Profile Visibility: Regularly checking and managing your pending connections ensures that you’re connecting with active LinkedIn users. It also prevents you from inadvertently reaching out to inactive profiles, which won’t contribute to your networking goals;
3. Connection Limits: LinkedIn has a limit on the number of connections and invitations you can have. Managing your pending connections helps you stay within these limits and avoid hitting the cap unexpectedly;
4. Professional Image: A clean and well-maintained network reflects your professionalism. 

How to Manage and Remove LinkedIn Pending Connections

For your incoming pending requests, take a moment to review the profile of the person who sent you the request before hitting “accept.” 

Does their experience and industry align with yours? Do they have a strong personal brand? 

This will help you decide if connecting with them can be valuable. 

If you receive a request from someone you know well or someone with a stellar professional background, you might want to accept it right away. 

If you notice many pending connections and want to clean up your list, here’s how to remove a connection on LinkedIn before it’s accepted:

1. Access Sent Invitations: As outlined earlier, navigate to the “Sent” tab under Invitations;
2. Withdraw an Invitation on LinkedIn: Next to each pending connection, you’ll find an option to “Withdraw.” Click on it to remove the invitation.

Conclusion

Managing LinkedIn network is super easy. Now that you know how to see pending connections on LinkedIn — both on desktop and through the app — you can stay organized and keep your professional network thriving. 

Make sure to regularly check and manage your pending invites. This will help you maintain a clean, relevant, and effective LinkedIn presence.