With societal advancements, the available platforms have made job opportunities easy to spot. For instance, the LinkedIn website has been an excellent digital platform for job seekers. It helps people create a network of professionals from the same field of expertise.
A strong network of connections can be a great advantage when looking for a new job. One way you can help each other land a job is through writing each other LinkedIn recommendations.
You can follow a few tips to learn how to write a meaningful and helpful recommendation on LinkedIn.
Let’s take a look.
How to Write a Great LinkedIn Recommendation in 5 Simple Steps
With 810 million users and over 57 million companies listed, LinkedIn is the largest professional network and the best way to get your name out there. One key aspect of making a good impression on others is being able to write great recommendations for your friends and colleagues.
Here are some guidelines for you to follow when you write a recommendation on LinkedIn:
1. Open with a catchy line.
Always start with an attention-grabbing line that piques any readers' interest, making it more difficult for them to scroll past your recommendation. The goal here is to point out the awesomeness of the person you recommend, so phrases like "Diana is the best" or "John is an essential team member" will simply not work.
Generic phrases are uninteresting and way too common. Instead, open with something that makes the person you are recommending unique. This could be anything from a thought-provoking question to a compelling fact.
Example
"A standout talent like Jane is hard to come by."
"In a sea of applicants, John's resume always rises to the top."
2. Get personal by explaining the nature of your professional connection.
When writing a LinkedIn recommendation, context is a must. Whether it's a colleague you've known for years, a superior, direct report, or someone you've mentored, providing details about your professional relationship will give your recommendation more weight.
Context is also essential for the reader to understand why you offer this endorsement. Explain how you know the person and for how long you have been acquainted.
Example "I had the pleasure of working with Alex for two years as his direct report." "For just over a year, Sarah has expertly handled the responsibilities of social media coordinator for my firm's marketing staff.” |
3. Share a distinguishing quality about them.
A solid professional connection or relationship is one thing, but backing up these claims with specific stories and examples will make your LinkedIn recommendation more believable and impactful.
Whatever you do, don't just say that someone has great leadership skills or is an excellent communicator. Instead, explain how the person has impressed you to support your claims. It will help paint a clearer picture for the recipient of your recommendation and make your praise more believable and compelling.
Example "I've seen firsthand how Jane excels in managing cross-functional projects." "As John's superior, I saw him consistently deliver on even the most challenging deadlines." |
4. Highlight their biggest accomplishments in the company or organization.
The key to writing a genuine LinkedIn recommendation is highlighting an individual's unique talents and achievements. After all, productive employees could bring 21% more profits to the company, so it's important to highlight how this person can be relied on, making them stand out.
You can use specific examples of times when the person has proven themselves valuable to the organization or team.
Example "Throughout her time in our marketing department, Diana always maintained an outstanding work ethic." "John's consistently stellar performance on deadline-driven projects made him an essential team member." |
5. Conclude with a thoughtful closing line.
Finally, end your LinkedIn recommendation by putting a positive spin on your thoughts and leaving the person you recommend feeling motivated to keep up the excellent work. A straightforward way to do this is to highlight how much you value their contributions or express admiration for their skills or talents.
Example "Working with Jane has been a pleasure, and I look forward to seeing her future accomplishments." "John is truly an asset to our team, and I'm confident he will continue succeeding in all his future endeavors." |
These are the five key steps for writing a powerful recommendation on LinkedIn to help boost your colleagues' professional reputation. Be genuine and use specific examples to write a thoughtful LinkedIn recommendation that will leave a positive impression.
If you need to see what a recommendation for an employee, former co-worker, or manager looks like, feel free to check out the ones below:
Best LinkedIn Recommendations Examples
When recommending on LinkedIn, authenticity is vital. In other words, providing an accurate portrayal of the person you recommend and their skills is imperative.
Always focus on the positive aspects of the person’s character and work ethic and try to accentuate the qualities that make them a valuable member of their team or organization.
Sample LinkedIn Recommendation for an Employee
Recommending on LinkedIn to one of your employees can be a great way to show your appreciation for their excellent work. If you're unsure where to start, simply use the five steps outlined above as a guide.
Here's an example of a strong LinkedIn recommendation for an event management firm employee:
“Alex is one of the most talented and hardworking event planners I have had the pleasure of working with. He always goes above and beyond to ensure every event succeeds. His attention to detail is impeccable, and he has a unique ability to think outside the box to come up with creative solutions to problems. I have seen firsthand how Alex can handle even the most challenging of situations with ease. He always keeps a cool head and remains calm under pressure. And this is just one of the many reasons he is so successful as an event planner. Alex has played a pivotal role in the success of our events department. His tireless efforts and dedication have made him an invaluable team member, and I do not doubt that he will continue to excel. I wish him all the best in his future endeavors and can't thank him enough for everything he has done. Thank you, Alex!” |
Sample LinkedIn Recommendation for a Former Colleague
When writing a LinkedIn recommendation for a former colleague, it's essential to focus on their skills and achievements while working with you.
Use examples and highlight how they added value to your team or organization.
Here’s a sample recommendation for a former employee at a PR agency:
“Alice is not only a gifted writer but also a strategic thinker. Always putting the needs of her clients first, she was able to provide the finest possible service to every customer. She was detail-oriented and had a knack for finding innovative answers to challenges others were hesitant to try. I had the pleasure of working with Alice on several high-profile projects, and she was always a true professional. Alice is truly a gifted individual, and I am confident she will continue excelling in her future endeavors. She’ll surely be an asset to any other organization she joins.” |
Sample LinkedIn Recommendation for a Manager
It's important to highlight how your boss was an effective leader and supported you as an employee. Be specific and provide examples of their accomplishments or key strengths.
Check out this example:
“Jane has been a tremendous boss and a great friend over the past five years. She always put the needs of her team first and was constantly going out of her way to provide support and guidance to everyone. Jane was genuinely interested in assisting my professional development and helping me get acquainted with the business. Her compassion endeared her to everyone on our staff. Her leadership skills are truly second to none, and she has played an instrumental role in the success of our organization. Undoubtedly, she will continue excelling in her career, and I wish her all the best. Thank you, Jane!” |
The Bottom Line
Recommending on LinkedIn is a great way to show your support and appreciation for someone's hard work. Write a compelling and inspiring LinkedIn recommendation by following the steps mentioned.
Also, you'll have no problem making sure the person you recommend stands out from all those applicants because of the good recommendation letter that you’ve written.
FAQs on LinkedIn Recommendations
1. Should you give a LinkedIn recommendation?
Yes, since LinkedIn recommendations can help you boost your search result ranking. This makes you more visible to recruiters and professionals, improving your professional network.
2. What is the purpose of LinkedIn recommendations?
LinkedIn recommendations can help you and your fellow professionals to boost your credibility. If you have colleagues writing a commendation for your work, it gives recruiters an idea of how great you are in your current field.
