LinkedIn endorsements are a powerful tool for building your professional reputation. They prove someone’s skills, achievements, and dedication. So, they help in the job market. A strong recommendation can strengthen relationships and create new opportunities. This applies to a supervisor, business associate, colleague, or someone you manage.
This article will show you some easy steps. They will help you write engaging LinkedIn recommendations. We will also share examples to help you start.
Why Writing a LinkedIn Recommendation Matters
Writing a LinkedIn recommendation is more than just a courtesy—it can significantly impact someone’s career:
- Professional Endorsement: A LinkedIn endorsement is a testimonial. It confirms the individual’s professional qualities, skills, and achievements. It offers social proof for recruiters, clients, and hiring managers who read their LinkedIn profile.
- Writing a meaningful recommendation strengthens your relationship with the individual you are recommending. It indicates that you value their efforts and are willing to appreciate their accomplishments publicly.
- Helping Others Shine: Your recommendation can showcase someone’s key skills and achievements. It can help them explore new opportunities, like a promotion on LinkedIn, a new job, or business deals.
Key Elements of a Great LinkedIn Recommendation
To write a good LinkedIn recommendation, include these key elements:
- Start with a Personal Connection: Mention how you know the person, how long you’ve worked together, and in what capacity. This establishes the context of your relationship and makes the recommendation more credible.
- Highlight Key Skills or Qualities: Focus on specific skills or attributes that make the person stand out. Are they excellent leader, detail-oriented project managers, or a creative thinkers? Highlight what they do best.
- Provide Specific Examples: Use concrete examples to support your claims whenever possible. Share a story of a project they led, a challenge they overcame, or an achievement they reached.
- Add a Personal Touch: Include a few personal qualities or anecdotes that showcase their character or work ethic. This makes your recommendation feel genuine and unique.
- Conclude with a Strong Recommendation: Wrap up your recommendation by clearly endorsing the person, stating why they would be an asset to any team or organization.
Step-by-Step Guide to Writing a LinkedIn Recommendation
Here’s a step-by-step guide to crafting a LinkedIn recommendation that is both thoughtful and impactful:
Step 1: Start with a Positive Opening
Begin your recommendation with a strong, positive statement that sets the tone.
- Example: “I had the pleasure of working with [Name] for [X years/months] at [Company], where they consistently demonstrated exceptional [skills].”
Why this matters
A warm, positive introduction grabs the reader’s attention and sets a supportive tone. It shows your relationship and how long you’ve worked together, adding credibility to your recommendation.
Step 2: Discuss Specific Strengths and Skills
Focus on the key strengths and skills that make the person stand out. What do they excel at? What are their strongest attributes?
- Example: “One of [Name]’s standout qualities is their ability to [skill], which had a significant impact on [project/outcome].”
Why this matters
Emphasizing specific skills or traits gives the reader a better view of someone’s professional abilities. Concentrating on the skills that matter most to their job helps showcase them in the most favorable way.
Step 3: Share a Memorable Example or Achievement
Concrete examples give your recommendation weight and make it more memorable. Share a story that illustrates the person’s abilities.
- “During our time working together, [Name] led the [project] initiative. It resulted in [measurable success].” Their leadership and innovative thinking were key to the project’s success.”
Why this matters
Examples illustrating a person’s influence in the real world demonstrate how they use their skills to accomplish things. These narratives make the recommendation seem genuine and based on actual experiences.
Step 4: Add a Personal Touch
Incorporating a personal note adds warmth and sincerity to your recommendation. Mention qualities like their attitude, teamwork, or dedication.
- Example: “Beyond their technical expertise, [Name] is also a joy to work with – their positive attitude and teamwork make them an invaluable member of any team.”
Why this matters
Personal touches make the recommendation feel more human and less generic. They show that you genuinely know and appreciate the person, which makes the recommendation more impactful.
Step 5: End with a Strong Endorsement
Finish with an explicit, strong endorsement, summarizing why you recommend them.
- Example: “I highly recommend [Name] for any role in [field/industry] – they would be a great asset to any team.”
Why this matters:
A direct and confident recommendation leaves no doubt about the person’s abilities in the reader’s mind. It reinforces everything you’ve mentioned and ends positively impactfully.
LinkedIn Recommendation Examples for Different Scenarios
Here are example recommendations for different professional relationships to give you a sense of how to tailor your writing:
Example 1: Recommendation for a Colleague
“I enjoyed working with Sarah for over three years at XYZ Company. During that time, she consistently demonstrated exceptional project management skills and an ability to lead cross-functional teams effectively. One of Sarah’s standout achievements was leading the successful launch of our new product line, which increased our sales by 30%. She’s also a fantastic team player, always willing to collaborate and bring fresh ideas. I highly recommend Sarah for any project management or product development leadership role.”
Example 2: Recommendation for a Manager
“Working under John’s leadership at ABC Corp was a truly rewarding experience. His ability to inspire and guide our team was instrumental in helping us achieve our goals. John’s strategic thinking and vision led our department to exceed its targets by 20% in just six months. He is an exceptional leader, and John fosters an inclusive and collaborative environment where everyone feels valued. Any organization would be fortunate to have John at the helm.”
Example 3: Recommendation for a Direct Report
“I enjoyed managing Emily during her time at DEF Consulting. Emily is a highly driven and reliable professional who constantly exceeds expectations. She spearheaded the digital marketing campaign for one of our biggest clients, resulting in a 25% increase in engagement. Her creativity, initiative, and attention to detail are unparalleled. I’m confident that Emily will continue to excel in any role she takes on.”
Example 4: Recommendation for a Client or Business Partner
“Collaborating with Mark as a business partner has been a seamless and productive experience. Mark’s professionalism, communication skills, and excellence commitment made our partnership successful. His ability to navigate complex challenges while keeping a client-first approach was key to achieving outstanding results on our joint project. I highly recommend Mark to any organization looking for a reliable and innovative partner.”
Best Practices for Writing LinkedIn Recommendations
To ensure your recommendation is as effective as possible, keep these best practices in mind:
- Be Genuine: Write from the heart and avoid using overly formal or generic language. Authenticity will make your recommendation stand out.
- Tailor the Recommendation: Customize your recommendation to the individual’s strengths and the type of role or industry they are in. A tailored recommendation will have more impact than a generic one.
- Keep It Concise: A recommendation doesn’t need extended to be effective. Aim for a few well-written paragraphs that highlight the key points.
- Use Active Language: Choose an active, positive language to describe the person’s contributions, such as “led,” “achieved,” “innovated,” or “excelled.”
Common Mistakes to Avoid
When writing LinkedIn recommendations, be mindful of these common mistakes:
- Being Too Vague: Avoid making general statements like “they’re great to work with” without providing specific examples to back it up.
- Over-Exaggerating: Keep your recommendation honest and avoid exaggerating the person’s abilities or achievements. Authenticity carries more weight than overstatements.
- Forgetting to Proofread: To maintain a professional tone, make sure to review your recommendation for any spelling or grammatical errors.
Conclusion
Creating a thoughtful LinkedIn recommendation is a great way to uplift and motivate people in your network. A strong recommendation can highlight someone’s skills, acknowledge their achievements, and open doors to new opportunities. Following these steps and examples, you can offer valuable endorsements to your colleagues, supervisors, or business associates on LinkedIn.
FAQs
Can I update or edit a recommendation after posting it?
Yes, you can edit or update a recommendation at any time by going to the person’s profile and making adjustments.
How many LinkedIn recommendations should I give or ask for?
There’s no set limit, but quality is more important than quantity. Focus on writing meaningful recommendations for those you’ve worked closely with.
What if I don’t have enough specific examples to write about someone?
If you’re unsure of specific examples, focus on the person’s general qualities and work ethic, or ask them for suggestions on areas they’d like highlighted.
Should I ask for feedback before posting my recommendation?
It’s always a good idea to let the person know you’re writing a recommendation. They may have insights on what they’d like emphasized.
How long should a LinkedIn recommendation be?
Recommendations don’t need to be long. A few well-written paragraphs are enough to provide value and leave a lasting impression.
