When looking for a new job or applying to a new company or position, having strong references or endorsements from previous employers can significantly strengthen your application and chances of getting hired. However, who you can ask for an endorsement, how you ask, and when you ask can impact how effective the endorsement is. Here are some quick tips on how to best request a professional endorsement.
Who should you ask for an endorsement?
The most impactful endorsements typically come from current or former supervisors, managers, or someone else you reported directly to. Avoid asking for endorsements from peers or indirect colleagues who didn’t directly work with you or manage your work. The exception is if you worked very closely with a peer on projects or team tasks.
Prioritize asking managers or supervisors who you know will give you a glowing endorsement. Avoid asking from previous supervisors if you did not have a good working relationship or don’t expect a strong endorsement. A weak or mediocre endorsement can hurt rather than help.
| Good choices for endorsements | Poor choices for endorsements |
|---|---|
| Direct supervisors or managers | Indirect colleagues or distant peers |
| High-level leaders you directly reported to | Subordinates or direct reports |
| Close team members you worked extensively with | Managers you had a poor relationship with |
When should you ask for the endorsement?
Timing is important when asking for an endorsement. Here are some recommendations on when to ask:
- Give at least 2 weeks notice before you need the endorsement
- Ask while you still have a good relationship and they know your recent work
- If you’ve left the company, ask within the first 2 months after leaving
- Clarify any deadline you need the endorsement by
Avoid asking for an endorsement:
- At the very last minute
- Long after you’ve left the company and time has passed
- During tense times like layoffs or performance issues
- Without a specific deadline or follow up
How do you ask for an endorsement?
Here are some best practices for how to request an endorsement:
- Ask in person if possible
- Email if you can’t meet in person
- Remind them of projects you worked on together
- Say you value their leadership and oversight
- Mention specific skills you gained from working with them
- Provide the job details and what you want them to focus on
- Give a deadline and way to send the endorsement
- Follow up politely if you haven’t heard back
- Offer to provide a draft if needed
Things to avoid when asking:
- Assuming they’ll remember you and your work
- Asking casually without details or deadlines
- Pressuring them to endorse you
- Getting angry if they decline or don’t respond
What format should the endorsement be in?
The most common format for professional endorsements are:
- Letter of recommendation – 1 page formal letter highlighting your skills, achievements, and strengths
- LinkedIn recommendation – Short written recommendation profile viewable to LinkedIn connections
- Phone call – Speaking directly to the hiring manager to endorse you
Provide clear instructions on what format you need the endorsement in and any templates or tools they can use. Make it as easy as possible for them to endorse you effectively.
What information should you provide about the role?
To help the person endorsing you tailor their recommendation, provide the following details:
- The company you are applying to
- The specific position and title
- An overview of the role and responsibilities
- The skills and attributes you want highlighted
- What excites you about the role
- Any talking points to weave in
Giving insight into the role you want endorsed for helps ensure their recommendation is relevant and personalized to that position. Provide a copy of the job description if possible.
Should you provide them an endorsement draft?
It can be very helpful to provide a draft endorsement letter or recommendation that they can then customize and put into their own words. This takes the burden off them to write a full letter and ensures you get endorsements that include the details you want highlighted. Make it easy for them to endorse you.
If you provide a draft:
- Keep it 1 page max
- Highlight specific skills and achievements
- Use their voice, not yours
- Make it editable and easy to customize
- Note it’s a draft for them to adjust
Let them know upfront you’re happy to provide a draft for them to edit and modify as they see fit. Don’t assume they’ll automatically use your exact words.
Should you offer to endorse them in return?
Endorsement swapping, where you offer to provide an endorsement for them in exchange for their endorsement for you, is controversial. Some experts warn against it unless you truly want to endorse them and feel their work merits it.
Consider these risks of endorsement swapping:
- Quid pro quo endorsements may seem disingenuous
- Their network may not value your endorsement in return
- It could come across as manipulative or coercive
- The focus shifts from your professional merits
However, there are cases where mutually endorsing each other can be beneficial if:
- You have a genuinely strong professional relationship
- You want to sincerely endorse their skills too
- Your identities and reputations are intertwined
- It’s clearly initiated by both parties
Tread carefully with endorsement swapping and only do so if it’s coming from an authentic place on both sides. Focus on earning endorsements through your own merits.
What if they decline to endorse you?
It’s possible even with your best efforts, some colleagues you request endorsements from may decline. Reasons they may say no include:
- They don’t feel they can provide a strong endorsement
- Don’t remember enough details about your work
- Uncomfortable endorsing former employees
- Too busy to provide a thoughtful endorsement
- Reluctant to participate in endorsement swapping
If they decline, respond professionally with:
- Thanks for considering the request
- You appreciate their time speaking with you
- Please let you know if any other information could help
- You’d welcome the opportunity to collaborate again
Persisting too forcefully if they decline risks damaging your professional relationship. Seek alternative endorsers from your network instead.
Conclusion
Asking colleagues and supervisors for professional endorsements requires care, tact, and timing. With the right approach, endorsements can tremendously boost your reputation and help you secure exciting new job opportunities. Keep these best practices in mind when requesting endorsements to get persuasive recommendations.