LinkedIn recommendations can be incredibly valuable for your professional profile and career growth. However, knowing how to best utilize recommendations is key to getting the most out of them. Here are some tips on what you should do with LinkedIn recommendations:
Accept All Recommendations
First and foremost, accept every recommendation request you receive. Having a higher number of recommendations on your profile looks impressive to future employers and connections. The only time you may want to consider not accepting a recommendation is if it is poorly written or from someone you had major issues working with. Otherwise, accept all the kudos that come your way!
Say Thank You
Whenever you receive a new recommendation, be sure to say thank you to the person who took the time to write it. A quick thank you note reinforces the positive experience you had working together and maintains good relations. This thoughtful gesture may even prompt them to recommend you again in the future.
Read Recommendations Thoroughly
Take the time to thoroughly read each recommendation you receive. Look for key qualities, results, and skills that the recommenders highlight about you. This will reveal your strengths through another perspective. You can then incorporate these key themes from the recommendations into other parts of your profile to really make them stand out.
Give Recommendations
The best way to get quality recommendations is to give them as well. Be generous in recommending those you’ve worked with, when deserved. This prompts them to reciprocate. It also builds your reputation as a thoughtful leader who recognizes other’s contributions.
Ask For Recommendations
Don’t be shy in asking for a recommendation when appropriate. Most people are happy to provide them when requested. Simply say something like “I’d be grateful if you could take a minute to write me a recommendation on LinkedIn highlighting my skills in XYZ.” Make the ask direct but polite.
Ask Recommenders to Edit
If you notice any recommendations that are poorly written, have typos, or inaccurate information, don’t hesitate to ask the recommender to edit them. Say something like “I really appreciate you taking the time to recommend me. Would you mind editing the recommendation to fix the typo and change the job title? Please let me know if you need any details from me.”
Update Old Recommendations
As you progress in your career, look back at older recommendations on your profile. If any are outdated or no longer relevant to the direction you’re headed, politely ask the recommender to either remove or update their recommendation. This keeps your profile fresh and tailored to where you are now versus the past.
Remove Bad Recommendations
Very rarely, you may get an obviously negative or poorly-written recommendation. If it reflects poorly on you, consider removing it from your profile. However, use discretion in doing so, as removing too many recommendations could raise questions.
Turn Recommendations Into References
Strong recommendations can often be converted into professional references. Ask the recommender if they would be willing to serve as a verbal reference as well. This amplifies the power of the recommendation.
Recommend Connections
Look through your network connections and recommend those you think highly of, even if you haven’t worked closely together. This spreads goodwill within your network and often prompts reciprocal recommendations.
Use Recommendations to Endorse Skills
Notice which skills and strengths are called out in your recommendations. Use these to then endorse the skills of the recommenders and other connections. This strengthens your professional brand across LinkedIn.
Display Recommendations Prominently
Go to your profile settings and adjust them so recommendations are prominently displayed near the top of your profile. This ensures they are readily visible and will be read.
Give Recent Recommendations
Aim to get new recommendations periodically, even just 1-2 a year. This shows you continue to build key relationships and have an ever-expanding network of endorsers. Recent recommendations have more impact.
Recommend Peers
Exchanging recommendations with peers and colleagues you didn’t directly work with can expand your recommendations. Just focus on skills and strengths you genuinely admire in each other.
Share Recommendations
When you get positive recommendations, share them on other social channels. This expands their impact beyond just LinkedIn. You can even include snippets in your email signature or professional bios.
Use Recommendations in Job Applications
Include prominent recommendations in job applications, either copied into the application letter or as an additional attachment. This lends outside credibility to your qualifications.
Conclusion
In summary, recommendations provide valuable social proof and external validation of your skills and character. Follow these best practices on cultivating, leveraging, and sharing recommendations. This will help propel your career and personal brand to the next level.
| Person | Recommendation Given | Thank You Note Sent |
|---|---|---|
| John Doe | Yes | Yes |
| Jane Smith | No | No |
