When you open the profile of someone you are not connected with, LinkedIn often shows how many connections you have in common and lets you see who they are. Those shared people are your mutual connections. Having at least one is what makes someone a 2nd-degree contact; see connection degrees for the full picture.
The list matters more than the number
The count shows up in search results too, and it is tempting to read it as “how warm is this person.” It is a weak measure. Twenty shared names you barely recognize add less than one former teammate you know well. Open the list and look for that one person.
Mutual connections help the other side as well. When someone receives your invitation, they may check who you have in common before deciding whether to accept.
Worked example: asking for an introduction
Say you want to meet Jordan, an engineering manager at a company called Northfield. You share six mutual connections. One is Sam, who sat next to you for two years at a previous job. (All names are invented.)
You could send Jordan a cold request. For someone who really matters to you, an introduction from Sam is usually stronger. Here is how we would ask:
Hi Sam, a quick favor, and no pressure at all. I see you’re connected to Jordan at Northfield. I’m looking at engineering manager roles there and would love 15 minutes of Jordan’s time to learn how the team works.
If you know Jordan well enough to introduce us, here’s a note you could forward:
“Jordan, my former teammate [Your Name] is exploring roles at Northfield and would value a short chat about the team. Very easy to talk to, and won’t take much of your time.”
If you don’t know Jordan that well, no problem at all. Thanks either way.
What this message does:
- It says exactly what you want and why, in two sentences.
- It writes the introduction for Sam, so helping takes a minute instead of twenty.
- It gives Sam an easy, guilt-free way out. People who can say no comfortably are more likely to say yes.
The referral guide uses the same approach when you are asking someone to refer you for a specific job.
Ground rules
- Name a mutual connection in a request only if you really know them and they would not mind.
- Never imply a closer relationship than you have. Jordan may ask Sam about you.
- If the intro happens, thank the person who made it and tell them how it went. People who make introductions like hearing the end of the story.
Mutual connections vs shared groups
A mutual connection is a person who links you. A shared LinkedIn Group is a community you both joined. Both are honest common ground, but a person you both know usually carries more trust than a group with thousands of members.
If you are writing to the person directly, the free Connection Message Generator helps you mention the shared context naturally. Sending several notes? The Personalization Tool fills in names and details for messages you send yourself. The full method is in how to write a LinkedIn connection request.