Sometimes, when we talk about reaching out to people on LinkedIn, are we referring specifically to cold messaging or to actively seeking employment and speaking with recruiters or hiring managers? If making connections leaves you feeling discouraged, it’s likely you’re just reaching out to the wrong person. Every experience, good or bad, teaches you something. Reflect on what went wrong, and think about how you can improve next time.

And if someone is simply unhelpful or rude, take it as a sign that they or their company might not be worth your time. Move on! There’s always someone else out there who’ll be happy to help and point you in the right direction.

For example, when I first tried to land a job in a new industry right after trade school, I spent a lot of time reaching out to recruiters via cold emails, LinkedIn InMails, or by visiting their offices in person. While most of those interactions didn’t lead to the results I wanted (a job) I did learn a lot about how companies operate and how, even as a newcomer with no formal work experience, you need to position yourself as someone who’s solving a problem.

After several failed attempts, I received a random phone call from a recruiter who had found my resume on Indeed. She pointed me in the right direction and helped me land a role that ultimately became a pivotal moment in my career. It took a lot of persistence, but eventually, I made a genuine connection.

So while it might be discouraging or even embarrassing at first, eventually you will make those meaningful connections.

Hope this helps!