Why is asking for LinkedIn recommendations important?
Asking colleagues to provide recommendations on LinkedIn can be hugely beneficial for your career. LinkedIn recommendations serve as a form of social proof and validation of your skills, experience and work ethic. Having strong recommendations on your LinkedIn profile from managers and colleagues can help you in several ways:
- Support job applications – Recommendations provide hiring managers extra insight into your capabilities beyond just your resume.
- Enhance your credibility – Recommendations reinforce the skills and qualifications summarized on your profile.
- Expand your network – Prospective connections are more likely to accept your invitation to connect if you have recommendations.
- Increase your visibility – A more robust profile with recommendations can increase the likelihood of being found in searches.
In summary, taking the time to request meaningful recommendations from colleagues you’ve worked with can really pay off in helping you land job interviews, connect with more professionals, and build your personal brand.
Who should I ask for a recommendation?
When deciding who to ask for LinkedIn recommendations, consider reaching out to:
- Current or former managers who have directly supervised your work and can speak to your strengths and accomplishments.
- Co-workers in your department who have collaborated with you on projects.
- Colleagues in other departments you’ve worked closely with cross-functionally.
- Clients, vendors, or stakeholders external to your company who you’ve partnered with.
- Former professors or academic advisors who’ve taught and mentored you.
- People you consider strong advocates who want to see you succeed in your career.
Prioritize asking those who will provide meaningful, personalized recommendations that reinforce your key skills, as opposed to generic endorsements. The best recommendations provide specific examples of work you did together.
How should I ask for a recommendation?
When requesting a LinkedIn recommendation, keep these tips in mind:
- Personalize the request by refreshing their memory of projects you worked on together and the value you added.
- Suggest 2-3 specific skills or accomplishments you’d like them to emphasize.
- Make it easy by sending them the recommendation text to edit or approve.
- Allow them plenty of time to complete the process.
- Express your sincere appreciation and offer to return the favor.
- Follow up if you haven’t heard back after 2 weeks.
- Let them know you’d be happy to endorse them as well.
Here is a recommendation request email template you can customize:
Subject line: Request for LinkedIn Recommendation
Dear [name],
I hope this email finds you well! I wanted to reach out to see if you would be willing to write a brief recommendation for me on LinkedIn. As you know, I’m currently looking for new job opportunities, and a recommendation from you would greatly help strengthen my profile.
We worked together at [company] back in [year], collaborating on [projects/achievements]. In particular, you were impressed by my [skill 1], [skill 2] and [skill 3] skills. It would be wonderful if you could mention those strengths in your recommendation, along with any other qualities you think potential employers should know.
Please feel free to take inspiration from the recommendation text below, and edit or add to it as you see fit:
[Recommendation text]
I’m happy to also provide a recommendation for you on LinkedIn if you’d like! Just let me know. Thanks so much for your consideration – I truly appreciate your continued support.
Best,
[Your name]
What information should I include in my request?
Your recommendation request will be more effective if you provide the following:
- Brief background – Remind them how you worked together.
- Timeline – Note when you reported to them or collaborated together.
- Key achievements – Mention 1-2 accomplishments they can describe.
- Sample text – Provide recommendation draft they can use.
Giving them details and text to start from makes the process quicker and easier for the person doing you the favor. Most colleagues are happy to help but are strapped for time, so remove any friction in the process.
Should I offer something in return?
While you should avoid an outright quid pro quo, it is appropriate to offer to provide a recommendation in return. The recommendation process is intended to be mutually beneficial.
Here are some phrases you can use:
- “I’d be happy to write you a recommendation too – just let me know!”
- “I’d love to return the favor by providing a recommendation for you also.”
- “Please let me know if you would like me to endorse you on LinkedIn as well.”
As long as your offer comes across as genuine, most colleagues will appreciate the opportunity to request a recommendation from you. It demonstrates how recommending each other can help both of your careers.
What if I don’t hear back?
If 2 weeks pass after your initial request and you still haven’t received a response:
- Follow up and resend your request politely – they may just need a reminder.
- Ask if they need any additional information from you.
- Consider suggesting a brief 15-30 minute phone call to discuss your background, if required.
- Let them know there’s no pressure and you understand if they are unable to provide a recommendation at this time.
- Ask them to please let you know either way so you can adjust your plans.
- Thank them again for considering your request.
However, if they continue not to respond after a follow-up:
- It’s best not to pursue it further – badgering them will not help.
- Focus your efforts on other contacts more willing to recommend you.
- You may need to rely on colleagues who know you and your work better.
How can I improve my chances of getting a positive recommendation?
You can increase the likelihood of getting strong LinkedIn recommendations by:
- Making yourself easy to recommend. Do quality work, help others succeed, and build strong relationships.
- Choosing the right people. Request from those who respect you and will advocate for you.
- Personalizing your asks. Remind them of successes working together and your contributions.
- Making it simple. Provide recommendation text and give plenty of time to respond.
- Showing reciprocity. Offer to write recommendations for them as well.
- Following up politely. If needed, gently remind them about your request.
If you go the extra mile in doing great work and making the process easy for colleagues you’ve impressed, most will be happy to write you a recommendation. This in turn will strengthen your LinkedIn presence and career opportunities.
What are some LinkedIn recommendation etiquette tips?
Here are some general etiquette guidelines around LinkedIn recommendation requests:
- Only ask people you were closely associated with and who can speak to your capabilities.
- Personalize each request with reminders of how you worked together.
- Start by requesting just 1-2 recommendations, rather than spamming all your connections.
- Be gracious if someone declines or ignores your request.
- Send thank-you notes when people agree to recommend you.
- Offer to reciprocate recommendations as long as they are merited.
- Endorse skills for them if appropriate once they recommend you.
- Follow up politely if needed, but avoid harassing contacts.
- If recommending others, provide sincere, thoughtful endorsements based on real experiences together.
Being thoughtful and respectful in seeking recommendations will leave a positive impression on colleagues, even if they are unable to provide one. This can strengthen your relationships for the long-term.
Conclusion
Asking colleagues for LinkedIn recommendations takes effort but can be hugely worthwhile. To maximize your chances of success:
- Strategically choose people who know and think highly of you.
- Frame the request professionally with reminders of your achievements together.
- Make the process easy by providing text and giving them plenty of time.
- Show gratitude and offer to reciprocate recommendations.
- Follow-up tactfully if needed.
With the right technique, most colleagues will gladly lend their endorsement. Recommendations from managers and co-workers you’ve impressed can give your LinkedIn presence and job search a significant boost.
