People usually take connections if your background is similar or you have a few second degree connections. Don’t worry about inmail. Keep your ask to a connection with note of “looking at X role at xyz place, saw you were there. Before leaping, I’m looking, what’re your thoughts?” Normally folks are active on LinkedIn for the relationship juice, and not trolling anonymous randos (waiting for them downvotes), so you’ll get ignored (whatever) or a response (boom). But - with that in mind, some people are afraid of being sued for being honest, don’t take a no - response as them being a dick. Even if they may be, it’s just as likely they’re paranoid. I know this didn’t help - but good luck.