LinkedIn ettiquette?

I’d ask them how they know you. I don’t think its rude and then you can decide if you want them in or not. I see a lot people just adding as many people as they can. I work with a guy who just confessed to not knowing a handful of people in his direct network but added them anyway when they requested it. Personally I wouldn’t add them if I don’t know them.

I don’t see what it hurts to add people if there is some connection there, as long as that connection is accurately recorded in the system when you make the connection.

This is interesting to me. A former colleague that I really, really disliked because his childish actions caused several people to lose their jobs just asked to join my LinkedIn. I have not decided what to do. Am currently taking the ostrich approach—taking no action at all.

For those you don’t know, I like Paul C.‘s approach.

Look around at your colleagues’ pages on LinkedIn and see if they have these mystery individuals’ added. You might be able to find out from your friends who they are. Also, check to see who these unknown people include as their contacts to see if there is anyone in common. Otherwise, I’d just leave them in limbo, because you may be better off not including someone that is just looking for bodies to fill their contacts list.