Getting a recommendation from your boss on LinkedIn can be a great way to build your professional brand and showcase your skills and accomplishments. However, asking your boss directly for a recommendation can feel awkward or uncomfortable for some. In this article, we’ll explore when and how to ask your boss for a LinkedIn recommendation, along with tips for getting a great recommendation.
Should you ask your boss for a LinkedIn recommendation?
Here are some key considerations when deciding whether to ask your boss for a LinkedIn recommendation:
The benefits
– A recommendation from your manager carries more weight than other recommendations and endorses your skills, work ethic, and achievements.
– It can validate you as an employee to future employers or business contacts.
– It can help you stand out from other applicants during your job search.
– It allows you to showcase skills, achievements, and qualities that a resume or interview alone may not capture.
– It adds credibility to your LinkedIn profile.
Potential drawbacks
– Your boss may be too busy or feel it’s inappropriate to provide a recommendation.
– If you don’t have a strong relationship with your manager, the recommendation may lack depth or seem unenthusiastic.
– Some bosses may not feel comfortable recommending current employees seeking new jobs.
– It risks damaging the relationship if your request is handled poorly.
When is the right time to ask?
Ideally, you should ask your boss for a recommendation when:
– You’ve worked together for at least one year – this gives time for your boss to evaluate your work.
– You have demonstrated strong performance and contributions.
– You’re seeking a promotion, new job, or expanded opportunities.
– Your boss seems to appreciate and value your work.
– Your boss regularly provides feedback and praise on your work.
– You’re leaving the company on good terms.
How to ask your boss for a LinkedIn recommendation
Here are some tips for requesting a LinkedIn recommendation from your boss:
1. Choose the right time and place.
Schedule a meeting during a slow period when your boss is less likely to feel rushed or distracted. Avoid asking first thing in the morning or right before a deadline. Request the meeting in person or by email. You want privacy for this conversation.
2. Have a conversation in person.
Discussing your request face-to-face shows professionalism and respect. It also gives your boss a chance to ask clarifying questions. Email requests can feel impersonal.
3. Explain why you’re asking.
Give your boss context around the recommendation – are you seeking a promotion, new job, or just aiming to showcase your work? Framing it as benefiting your professional development makes it feel less transactional.
4. Share your achievements and responsibilities.
Provide your boss with key accomplishments, contributions, and responsibilities you’d like highlighted in the recommendation. This gives them content to include.
5. Suggest key skills to emphasize.
Tell your boss 1-3 key skills or strengths you’d like them to focus on in their recommendation. This gives them guidance on what to highlight.
6. Provide a template if needed.
Some bosses may prefer you provide a pre-written template they can edit and modify as needed. Only offer a draft if you know your boss well enough to know they’d appreciate the help.
7. Give them time.
Don’t demand an instant recommendation. Ask when they think they’ll have time to provide the recommendation. Offer to send a reminder if you don’t hear back.
8. Show gratitude.
Thank your boss for supporting your career growth and taking the time to provide the recommendation. Follow up later with thanks when it’s complete.
What to include in your request
When asking your boss for a recommendation, provide the following details to make the process easy:
– Note where they should write and submit the recommendation – your LinkedIn profile is best.
– List 3-5 projects, accomplishments, or skills you’d like highlighted.
– Share any details needed to remind them of key achievements.
– Suggest qualities and strengths you’d like emphasized, if appropriate.
– Attach an updated resume to refresh their memory.
– Let them know if this is time sensitive or related to an upcoming application.
– Thank them for supporting you and taking the time.
Tips for getting a great recommendation
To get the best possible recommendation from your boss, keep these tips in mind:
Ask early
Give your boss plenty of time to write the recommendation without feeling rushed or distracted.
Coach them
Politely guide your boss on key details to include – recent projects, achievements, skills, etc. Make it easy for them.
Manage expectations
If your relationship is strained, keep expectations realistic – a brief, polite recommendation may be the best outcome.
Suggest a template
Offer a draft or bullet points as a starting point, if appropriate. Just be sure not to dictate.
Highlight successes
Provide reminders of projects you collaborated on, kudos received, goals achieved together.
Jog their memory
If it’s been a while, refresh your boss’s memory on projects and wins you want highlighted.
Circle back
Politely follow up if you haven’t heard back within the timeframe your boss provided.
Express gratitude
Thank your boss for taking the time and supporting your career growth.
Offer to reciprocate
If appropriate, offer to provide your boss with a recommendation in return.
| Do | Don’t |
|---|---|
| Ask in person if possible | Demand an instant recommendation |
| Pick a good time | Surprise them with the request |
| Share key details to include | Dictate the content |
| Follow up politely | Hound them to complete it |
| Show appreciation | Forget to say thank you |
What if your boss says no?
It can be disappointing if your boss declines to give you a recommendation on LinkedIn. Here are some tips for handling a “no”:
– Don’t take it personally – it may be company policy or lack of time rather than about you.
– Accept it gracefully and don’t pressure them to reconsider.
– Ask if they’d be willing to provide feedback verbally to you or future employers instead.
– Request recommendations from other colleagues you’ve worked closely with.
– Focus on getting great recommendations from other managers earlier in your career.
– If relevant, remind them you intend to stay at the company and want to grow in your role.
– Build an even stronger relationship with your boss going forward by excelling at your job.
– Consider whether poor performance or a strained relationship with your boss were factors in the refusal.
– Express your professional appreciation for their mentoring and support of your career growth, regardless of the recommendation outcome.
Key takeaways
Here are some key points to remember about asking your boss for a LinkedIn recommendation:
Pros of asking
– A boss’s recommendation carries more weight than other endorsements.
– It validates your skills, work ethic and achievements.
– It can give you an edge in job seeking and career growth.
– It lets you highlight skills that interviews and resumes may not capture.
When to ask
– After working together for 1+ years.
– When you have a strong performance record.
– If you’re seeking a promotion or new job opportunities.
How to ask
– In person is best. Pick a good time.
– Explain why you are asking now.
– Provide key details on skills and achievements to highlight.
– Give them time to complete it.
– Follow up and express gratitude.
Handling a “no”
– Don’t take it personally.
– Accept the refusal gracefully.
– Ask for verbal feedback instead.
– Request recommendations from other colleagues.
– Determine if your relationship needs work.
– Continue to excel at your job and build the relationship.
Conclusion
Asking your boss for a recommendation on LinkedIn does require careful thought and preparation. With the right approach, it can be well worth it to get their endorsement of your talents, growth, and potential. Even if they decline, you can still recover gracefully and seek recommendations from other colleagues. Approaching the process with maturity and respect can make getting (or not getting) your boss’s recommendation a win-win situation for your career development.
