10 Essential Tips for Writing Stellar LinkedIn Recommendations
In today’s digital age, LinkedIn has emerged as a vital tool in professional networking. With over 760 million users worldwide, LinkedIn can be the catalyst in accelerating your professional growth. One key feature that stands out is LinkedIn Recommendations. A well-crafted recommendation not only strengthens your profile but can also weave a narrative of your professional journey. In this guide, we will explore the depths of LinkedIn recommendations, their significance, and how to make the most out of them.
How to write LinkedIn Recommendations
What is a LinkedIn Recommendation For?
A LinkedIn recommendation is a personal testimony written by a LinkedIn member to recognize or commend a colleague, business partner, or student. It’s visible to all LinkedIn users and has the potential to influence their perspective about the person being recommended. While endorsements provide a more generic nod to skills and experience, recommendations offer a more detailed, personalized account of an individual’s professional abilities.
Just like a letter of recommendation, these testimonials give potential employers or collaborators insight into the person’s skills, qualifications, and character. However, it’s crucial to understand that a LinkedIn recommendation isn’t a casual endorsement. It’s a professional testimonial that mirrors your personal experiences with the recommended individual. It’s a personal stamp of approval on their skills, character, and work ethic.
Why Write Recommendations for People?
Writing LinkedIn recommendations comes with a slew of benefits. It’s not just about boosting the other person’s professional credibility but can also positively impact your profile. Here are some reasons why writing recommendations can be a good idea:
- Linking Profiles: One of the significant advantages of writing a recommendation is that it links your profile with the recommended person’s profile. It means that when someone views their recommendations, they can see your profile too, increasing your visibility on LinkedIn.
- Establishing Authority: Writing a thoughtful recommendation can help establish your authority in your industry. It shows that you are a knowledgeable professional who can recognize and endorse the skills of other professionals.
- Reciprocity: Often, writing a recommendation for someone prompts them to return the favor. It means you could also receive a valuable recommendation in return.
- Building Relationships: Writing recommendations help in maintaining and strengthening your professional relationships. It’s an excellent way of reconnecting with old colleagues or clients and keeping your network robust.
How to Write a LinkedIn Recommendation
Writing a LinkedIn recommendation can feel like a daunting task, especially if you want to make sure your words make a meaningful impact. However, if you keep a few key points in mind, you can write a sincere, compelling recommendation that accurately reflects your experiences with the person you’re recommending.
First, it’s important to understand that every recommendation should be unique, specific, and personal. A generic, cookie-cutter testimonial might not do justice to the person’s skills and qualities. Here are some steps you can follow to write a great recommendation:
- Start with a Strong Opening Line: The opening line of your recommendation is the first thing that readers see, so make sure it’s memorable and compelling. Instead of starting with a generic line, write something that immediately conveys your positive experience with the person. For instance, “It’s rare to come across a standout talent like John” or “I had the pleasure of working with Sarah, whose knowledge and skills were unmatched” could be good starting points.
- Explain Your Professional Relationship: Clarify how you know the person and your professional relationship with them. This adds authenticity to your recommendation and gives context to readers. For example, “As Jane’s supervisor at XYZ Corp, I’ve observed her exceptional leadership skills firsthand” or “During our collaboration on Project Alpha, I was consistently impressed with Michael’s innovative problem-solving.”
- Highlight Their Skills and Accomplishments: Focus on one or two key skills or accomplishments that stood out during your time with the person. Be specific and provide examples, if possible. For example, “Anna’s brilliant marketing strategy increased our quarterly sales by 25%” or “Mark’s impressive design skills were evident in the award-winning website he created for our client.”
- Add a Personal Touch: To make your recommendation more engaging, include something about the person’s character or personality. However, keep it relevant to their professional life. For instance, “Apart from being a tech wizard, Tom’s ability to ease tensions with his humor was greatly valued in our team.”
- End with a Solid Recommendation: Close your recommendation by reiterating your endorsement of the person. You could say something like, “I wholeheartedly endorse Jane for any leadership role – she would be an asset to any team” or “Without a doubt, I confidently recommend Mark as a dedicated and knowledgeable designer and an all-around great person.”
How to Publish a LinkedIn Recommendation
Once you have written your recommendation, it’s time to publish it. LinkedIn has a simple process for this. Follow these steps:
- Navigate to the Profile: Visit the profile of the person you want to recommend. Click the “More…” button next to the profile picture and then select “Recommend.”
- Specify Your Relationship: Choose how you know this person from the drop-down menu, and select your position at the time.
- Paste Your Recommendation: Paste the recommendation you crafted earlier into the text box. Make sure it fits within the 3000 character limit.
- Review and Send: Review your recommendation one last time, making sure everything is accurate and spelled correctly. Once you’re satisfied, hit “Send.” Your recommendation will then be sent to the person for review. They can choose whether to display it on their profile.
Following these steps will ensure that your well-crafted recommendation gets published accurately and smoothly.
Who to Give LinkedIn Recommendations To
LinkedIn recommendations can be powerful networking tools, but knowing who to give them to can be a challenge. Here are some categories of individuals who would appreciate a thoughtful recommendation:
- Current and Past Colleagues: Co-workers who you’ve had a positive experience with are great candidates for recommendations. This not only strengthens your relationship with them but can also lead to reciprocal recommendations.
- Your Manager or Supervisor: Recommending your boss can be a great way to show your appreciation for their leadership. Plus, it can help to bolster your professional relationship.
- Clients or Customers: If you’ve had an exceptional experience with a client or customer, don’t hesitate to leave them a recommendation. This can help to solidify your business relationship and potentially lead to future opportunities.
- Mentors or Advisors: People who have offered you professional guidance and support are excellent candidates for a recommendation. This is a great way to give thanks for their assistance.
Remember, a well-crafted recommendation can help build relationships and establish credibility on LinkedIn.
Key Recommendations for LinkedIn Endorsements
While writing LinkedIn recommendations, there are a few things that you need to keep in mind. Here are some key recommendations:
- Never Lie on a Recommendation: Honesty is paramount in professional settings. Making false statements could damage your credibility and even harm the person you’re recommending if the truth comes out later.
- Don’t Give Recommendations Lightly: LinkedIn recommendations carry weight. Therefore, be sure that you genuinely believe in the person you’re recommending, and have had positive experiences that you can speak about.
- Keep it Brief: As the saying goes, less is more. A concise, powerful recommendation is more effective than a lengthy, rambling one. Aim to keep your recommendation to a few paragraphs.
- Avoid Clichés: Phrases like “team player” and “hard worker” have been used so much that they’ve lost their impact. Try to be original in your language and give specific examples of the person’s qualities.
- Avoid Being Vague: Specificity is key. Give concrete examples of achievements or qualities you’re praising. This adds authenticity and depth to your recommendation.
- Avoid Negativity: This should go without saying, but it’s essential to keep your recommendation positive. Even constructive criticism can be misconstrued in this context, so keep it upbeat.
Now that we’ve discussed the key recommendations for writing LinkedIn endorsements, let’s look at some great examples.
Great Examples of LinkedIn Recommendations
- Example 1: “John Doe is one of the most diligent and dedicated professionals I’ve had the pleasure to work alongside. While we collaborated on several high-stakes projects at XYZ Corporation, John displayed an impressive knack for problem-solving and a keen eye for detail that ensured the success of our endeavors. His positive attitude and commitment to excellence are truly inspiring. I wholeheartedly endorse John for any venture he undertakes.”
- Example 2: “Jane Doe’s innovative spirit and leadership qualities shone through during our tenure at ABC Company. As Project Manager, she navigated challenging scenarios with grace and tenacity, setting a high standard for the entire team. Her ability to synthesize complex data and communicate clear, actionable strategies was instrumental to our success. I confidently recommend Jane for any leadership role.”
- Example 3: “During our collaboration at DEF Industries, I was consistently impressed by John Doe’s ability to stay calm under pressure and deliver top-quality work. His coding skills are top-notch, and his contributions were pivotal in launching our app ahead of schedule. I can’t recommend John highly enough for any software development role.”
- Example 4: “Jane Doe’s expertise in digital marketing made a significant impact on our brand’s online presence during her time at GHI Inc. Her strategic thinking and dedication to staying abreast of the latest industry trends resulted in a 40% increase in our organic web traffic within a year. Jane is a genuine asset, and I wholeheartedly recommend her for any digital marketing endeavor.”
- Example 5: “John Doe is a standout talent in graphic design. During our time at JKL Studios, his creativity and technical skills brought numerous campaigns to life and elevated our clients’ brand identities. John’s unique ability to create compelling visuals while adhering to brand guidelines makes him a prized asset. I unequivocally recommend John for any design-related role.”
These examples demonstrate the power of a well-written LinkedIn recommendation. By taking note of the structure, tone, and content, you can craft recommendations that genuinely reflect your professional relationships and effectively boost your connections’ professional standing.
The Art of Asking for a LinkedIn Recommendation
Asking for a LinkedIn recommendation can feel a bit awkward, but it’s an essential step in building a powerful LinkedIn profile. When approached correctly, it can lead to genuine endorsements that illuminate your strengths and solidify your professional credibility. Here’s how you can go about it effectively.
Choose the Right Person
The first step is to identify the right people to approach for a LinkedIn recommendation. The person should know you and your work well enough to provide meaningful insight into your skills, character, and achievements. They could be your current or former supervisors, colleagues, mentors, or clients. A compelling recommendation often comes from someone who has directly observed your work and can vouch for your professional capabilities.
For example, if you’ve recently led a successful project at work, asking for a recommendation from a team member or supervisor involved in that project can be very effective.
Make it Personal
When you reach out, make your request personal. Don’t use LinkedIn’s default recommendation request message; instead, write a personalized note explaining why you’re asking them specifically. Remind them about the projects you’ve worked together on or the skills you’ve demonstrated that they can attest to. This approach shows respect for their time and makes it easier for them to write a meaningful recommendation.
For instance, you could say something like, “Hi [Name], I hope you’re doing well. I’m reaching out because I’m trying to boost my LinkedIn profile, and I was wondering if you could write a recommendation for me. I thought of you because we worked closely on the [Project name], and I believe you could provide some valuable insights about my [mention the specific skills/traits/achievements you want them to highlight].”
Offer Guidance
While asking for a recommendation, it can be beneficial to provide some direction on what you’d like them to focus on. This isn’t about scripting their recommendation but guiding them to highlight the skills and experiences that align with your current professional goals. If you’re aiming for a role in project management, ask your recommenders to highlight your project management skills and achievements. This way, you ensure that your recommendations are consistent with your professional narrative.
Reciprocate the Favor
If appropriate, offer to reciprocate the favor. If you’ve had a positive working experience with the person, letting them know that you’re more than willing to return the favor can encourage them to write a recommendation for you. However, remember that this should be genuine. Don’t offer to write a recommendation for someone you can’t sincerely endorse.
Be Gracious and Patient
Finally, remember to express your gratitude when you ask for a recommendation, and be patient. People are busy, and writing a recommendation takes time. Give them a reasonable timeline to write it and be understanding if they’re not able to fulfill your request immediately.
Requesting LinkedIn recommendations may seem daunting at first, but with these steps, you can approach it with more confidence and effectiveness. It’s all part of building a robust professional network that highlights your capabilities and achievements.
Conclusion
LinkedIn recommendations are more than just polite professional courtesies. They are powerful endorsements that can influence career trajectories, shape professional relationships, and amplify your personal brand.
Writing a LinkedIn recommendation isn’t a task to be taken lightly. It’s an opportunity to express gratitude, acknowledge a colleague’s skills and accomplishments, and fortify your professional network. It’s about constructing a narrative that underscores a person’s unique strengths and potential, all while reinforcing your own reliability as a professional.
But as with any form of writing, practice makes perfect. The more recommendations you write, the more proficient you’ll become at crafting thoughtful, impactful testimonials. So why wait? Start strengthening your LinkedIn network today, one glowing recommendation at a time.
Writing LinkedIn recommendations can seem daunting at first, but remember: authenticity is key. Write from the heart, keep it concise, and focus on the person’s strengths and achievements. By doing so, you’ll create a powerful testimonial that will not only boost your colleague’s professional standing but also strengthen your relationship.
In a world that’s increasingly digital and interconnected, your words have the power to open doors and create opportunities for the people you’ve worked with. Use that power wisely, and your LinkedIn recommendations will become a potent tool in your professional arsenal.
And finally, remember that a well-written recommendation can work in your favor too. After all, the more you give, the more you’re likely to receive. So, start spreading the endorsement love on LinkedIn, and watch your professional network grow!
That concludes our comprehensive guide on LinkedIn recommendations. With these tips and examples at your disposal, you’re well-equipped to write meaningful and impactful recommendations that will enhance your LinkedIn experience and that of your professional connections. Happy recommending!
The next step is to incorporate these tips into your LinkedIn strategy. So, go ahead and craft a recommendation that shines a spotlight on a deserving colleague. Happy writing and recommending!
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