How do make a professional connection with someone who assumes I want something more?

[nobody you know]

So an old coworker left my company to work for an ideal firm that I would like to work for. I tried to reconnect with him via FaceBook, but he declined my request. I was hurt to be honest. I guess I should've tried LinkedIn instead of FB. I think I have ruined my chances now though. He probably thinks I'm stalking him if I request him as a contact through LinkedIn.

Should I just let this one go as seeing he probably doesn't want anything to do with me?

[PAX]

Yeah, I'd be reluctant to try Linkedin if they declined a FB request. If anything I'd send them a personal e-mail and state why you'd like to talk to them over coffee or over the phone.

Failing that, just move on and start doing your own research directly and indirectly. Check the company out on line and possibly even submit your resume and a letter of interest explaining your current work situation and why you think you might be a good fit for them etc. As you go about your research you just might run into other who are working or have worked for this company.

And watch what you put on your FB page. Potential employers can use this to check you out . So either increase the privacy so only friends can see the content or be sure there aren't too many photos or wall comments from you that imply you're a party animal :-)

[Old Mister Happy]

Yes, just let it go. Contacting someone expressly so they can help you get a job where they work, is just a bit pushy to me, anyway. If you were all that close before, why would one want to go out of their way to get you into the same company where they work, and put their own reputation on the line.

If you were serious in using his position to help yourself, it should have been done in a formal business letter to him at his office.