LinkedIn endorsements have become a popular way for professionals to validate each other’s skills and expertise on the platform. But do these endorsements really matter? In this comprehensive article, we’ll examine the pros and cons of LinkedIn endorsements and whether they truly benefit your profile and career.
What are LinkedIn Endorsements?
LinkedIn endorsements allow you to endorse your connections for their skills and expertise. When you endorse someone, you click the “+ Endorse” button on their profile and select the relevant skills. This adds your name and photo next to the skill on their profile. The person receiving the endorsement will get a notification that you have endorsed them. Endorsements are meant to be a simple way to validate the skills and expertise of your professional connections.
How Endorsements Appear on Your Profile
The endorsements you receive from your connections are displayed on your profile under the “Skills & Endorsements” section. This includes the names and photos of the people who have endorsed you. You can choose to feature your top skills on your profile so they are more prominently displayed. LinkedIn also calculates an endorsements number next to each skill, which shows the total number of endorsements you’ve received for that skill from all of your connections.
The Pros of LinkedIn Endorsements
Here are some potential benefits of receiving LinkedIn endorsements:
Validation of Skills
The main purpose of endorsements is to act as social proof that you have the skills and expertise listed on your profile. Having a large number of endorsements from a range of connections can demonstrate to people viewing your profile that you are skilled in those areas.
Increased Visibility
Endorsements enhance the visibility of your skills. Displaying your most endorsed skills prominently on your profile allows you to showcase the areas people have validated. This gives viewers an immediate understanding of your top skills.
Career Opportunities
Endorsements can lead to new career opportunities. When people endorse you, it improves the chances of your profile getting found by recruiters through LinkedIn searches. It also helps you stand out when applying for jobs, as your validated skills will catch a hiring manager’s eye.
Expanded Network
Giving and receiving endorsements fosters connections with more professionals in your industry. People may be more inclined to connect with you if they see you are endorsed by industry peers. This can expand your overall LinkedIn network.
Confidence Boost
Receiving validation for your professional capabilities can give your confidence a boost. Knowing your connections have endorsed the skills you bring to the table can reaffirm your expertise.
The Cons of LinkedIn Endorsements
While LinkedIn endorsements have benefits, they also come with some downsides:
Endorsement Overload
Because endorsing is so easy, some people get endorsement happy and endorse their connections for skills inaccurately. This endorsement overload dilutes the value of endorsements. When people endorse excessively, it becomes difficult to determine which skills have been validated accurately.
Superficial Assessments
Given how simple it is to endorse someone, the endorsements you receive may reflect only a superficial assessment of your abilities. Some people endorse skills without really taking the time to evaluate whether you genuinely merit the endorsement.
Lack of Context
LinkedIn endorsements lack context about why the person is qualified for the skill. For example, you may be endorsed for “Social Media Marketing,” but there are no details on what specifically you have done or which platforms you are skilled with.
No Screening Process
There is no screening process or criteria for endorsements. Anyone can endorse anyone else for any skill without proof of expertise. This means some endorsements may not carry much weight.
Can’t Remove Old Endorsements
If someone who endorsed you previously no longer wishes to validate that skill for you, there is no way for them to remove their endorsement. The endorsement remains on your profile indefinitely.
Tips for Giving LinkedIn Endorsements
Here are some tips on how to thoughtfully endorse your LinkedIn connections:
Endorse Genuine Skills
Only endorse people for skills and expertise that you have directly witnessed them demonstrate. Don’t endorse skills just because they are listed on someone’s profile.
Include a Note
When you endorse a connection, take the time to include a customized note explaining why you have validated that skill for them. Personalized notes give endorsements more meaning.
Endorse Various Connections
Avoid endorsing just one or two people repeatedly. Endorse a wide range of your connections for their diverse skills and expertise.
Limit Your Endorsements
Endorse thoughtfully and avoid endorsement overload by limiting how many skills you endorse and how frequently you endorse. Quality over quantity gives endorsements more credibility.
Match Skills to Experience
Make sure the skills you are endorsing align with the person’s actual background and experience. Endorsing inaccurate skills undermines the value of endorsements.
Maximizing the Impact of Your LinkedIn Endorsements
Here are some tips for getting the most out of the LinkedIn endorsements you receive:
Showcase Key Skills
Edit your LinkedIn profile to highlight your most endorsed skills and areas of expertise. Featuring key skills prominently makes them stand out.
Give Thoughtful Endorsements
Take care to give considered, relevant endorsements to your own connections. This encourages them to reciprocate with thoughtful endorsements for you.
Say Thank You
When someone endorses you, be sure to reach out and thank them. People will be more likely to endorse you again if you show appreciation.
Monitor Your Skills
Check your profile regularly to see which skills are attracting the most endorsements. This can reveal your areas of expertise.
Remove Irrelevant Skills
If certain outdated skills are still getting endorsed, remove them from your profile so endorsements remain relevant.
Do LinkedIn Endorsements Impact Recruiters?
Do endorsements actually influence recruiters and hiring managers reviewing LinkedIn profiles? Here is a look at how recruiters may perceive endorsements:
Endorsements Validate Skills
Recruiters often view endorsements as social proof of skills and qualifications. They help validate a candidate’s expertise at a glance.
Volume of Endorsements Matter
Generally, recruiters put more stock in skills with higher endorsement volume. More endorsements give more credibility.
Quality Over Quantity
That said, some recruiters are skeptical of skills with very high endorsement numbers, as it can indicate endorsement overload. Quality endorsements carry more weight than large quantities.
Flagged Skills Stand Out
Highlighting key endorsed skills that align with the job catches a recruiter’s attention quickly when reviewing profiles.
Personality and Culture Fit
If mutual connections have endorsed you, it can influence recruiter’s perception of your personality and company culture fit.
Recruiters Review Full Profile
Most recruiters will review your entire profile, not just endorsements. Endorsements alone are not enough to evaluate candidates.
Should You Include LinkedIn Endorsements on Your Resume?
Here are some things to consider if you are thinking about including your LinkedIn endorsements on your resume:
Overview Resume Best Practices
It’s generally not recommended to list endorsements on your resume according to most professional resume writing experts. Resumes have specific formats that highlight experience.
Provide Context for Skills
Rather than just listing skills with endorsement numbers, integrate skills contextually into your work experience descriptions so you demonstrate them.
Focus on Your Own Voice
Your resume should be written in your own voice. Listing LinkedIn endorsements shifts the focus away from your voice.
Mention Endorsements in Interviews
You can reference specific endorsements as social proof of relevant skills during job interviews when context is provided.
Link to Your Profile
Linking to your LinkedIn profile on your resume is the best way for hiring managers to view your endorsements in context.
Conclusion
LinkedIn endorsements can be a nice validation of skills and expertise when given genuinely. However, endorsement overload and lack of screening means some endorsements may not carry much significance. While endorsements have some benefits, they should not be the only factor that determines someone’s qualifications.
Rather than focusing solely on accumulating endorsements, devote time to building meaningful professional relationships that lead to thoughtful endorsements. Seek a balanced number of quality endorsements that reinforce your top skills and expertise.
When used appropriately, LinkedIn endorsements can add additional credibility to your profile and skills. But your experience, connections and content you share will always be the most important part of your LinkedIn profile.
