How To Write A Good Recommendation On LinkedIn: A Comprehensive Guide
LinkedIn has become an essential tool for professionals globally. Beyond simply being a digital resume, it fosters networking, job searching, and, crucially, the ability to offer and receive recommendations. A well-crafted LinkedIn recommendation can significantly boost someone’s professional profile, enhancing their credibility and opening doors to new opportunities. This guide provides a comprehensive walkthrough on how to write a good recommendation on LinkedIn, ensuring your words leave a lasting positive impact.
Understanding the Power of LinkedIn Recommendations
Before diving into the specifics, it’s important to grasp why recommendations are so vital on LinkedIn. They act as third-party validation, offering potential employers, recruiters, and connections a glimpse into a person’s skills, work ethic, and personality from another’s perspective. A strong recommendation can differentiate a candidate, making them stand out from the crowd. It’s essentially a personal endorsement that carries weight and credibility.
The Impact on Profile Visibility and Credibility
A profile with several well-written recommendations appears more active and engaged. This, in turn, can positively influence LinkedIn’s algorithm, increasing the visibility of the profile in search results. Furthermore, the presence of recommendations builds trust. Users are more likely to engage with someone who has received positive feedback from others, making it easier to network and build professional relationships.
Crafting a Stellar Recommendation: Key Elements
Writing a good recommendation is more than just offering a generic compliment. It requires thoughtful consideration and clear articulation. Here’s a breakdown of the essential elements:
1. Knowing the Person and Their Work
The foundation of any good recommendation is genuine knowledge of the individual. Before you start writing, reflect on your experience working with them. What specific projects did you collaborate on? What were their key contributions? Recalling specific instances will make your recommendation more credible and impactful.
2. Identifying Key Skills and Accomplishments
Focus on the individual’s most significant skills and accomplishments. What were their strengths? How did they contribute to the team or the company? Provide concrete examples of their skills in action. Quantify their achievements whenever possible. For instance, instead of saying “They were a good salesperson,” try “They consistently exceeded sales targets by 15%.”
3. Highlighting Their Character and Work Ethic
Beyond skills, consider their personality and work ethic. Are they a team player? Are they reliable, proactive, and dedicated? Mentioning these qualities provides a well-rounded view of the individual, making them appear more personable and approachable.
4. Structuring Your Recommendation for Maximum Impact
A well-structured recommendation is easy to read and understand. Start with a clear statement of your relationship to the person and the context in which you worked together. Then, highlight their key skills and accomplishments, providing specific examples. Conclude with a concise summary, reiterating your overall positive impression and offering a strong endorsement.
Step-by-Step Guide: Writing a LinkedIn Recommendation
Let’s break down the process into actionable steps:
Step 1: Initiate the Process on LinkedIn
Navigate to the profile of the person you want to recommend. Click the “More” button (usually located under their profile picture) and select “Recommend.” LinkedIn will then prompt you to specify your relationship to the person and the position they held at the time you worked together.
Step 2: Personalize the Opening and Establish Context
Begin by clarifying your relationship with the individual. For example: “I had the pleasure of working with [Name] as their [Your Role] at [Company] from [Start Date] to [End Date].” This establishes your credibility and sets the stage for your recommendation.
Step 3: Detail Specific Skills and Achievements
This is where you provide concrete examples. Focus on the most important skills and accomplishments. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your examples. Describe the situation, the task the individual was responsible for, the action they took, and the positive result.
Step 4: Showcase Character and Work Ethic
Include observations about their personality, work ethic, and how they interacted with others. Are they a good communicator? Are they a problem-solver? Do they possess leadership qualities? This adds depth and personality to your recommendation.
Step 5: Summarize and Offer a Strong Endorsement
Conclude with a summary of your overall impression. Reiterate your strong endorsement and, if applicable, state whether you would work with them again. For example: “I highly recommend [Name]. They are a valuable asset to any team, and I would gladly work with them again. They consistently exceeded expectations and demonstrated [Key Skill] throughout their tenure.”
Avoiding Common Mistakes in LinkedIn Recommendations
Even well-intentioned recommendations can fall flat. Here’s how to avoid common pitfalls:
Avoiding Generic and Vague Statements
Steer clear of generic praise like “They are a hard worker” or “They are a great team player.” These statements lack substance. Instead, provide specific examples to support your claims.
The Importance of Specificity and Detail
The more specific you are, the more credible your recommendation will be. Detail is key. Instead of saying “They were good at project management,” say “They successfully managed the X project, which was completed on time and under budget, thanks to their meticulous planning and organization.”
Maintaining Professional Tone and Avoiding Clichés
Keep your language professional and avoid clichés. While enthusiasm is good, ensure your recommendation remains authentic and relevant to the professional context. Avoid overly informal language or exaggerations.
Tips for Requesting Recommendations on LinkedIn
Just as you write recommendations, you may want to request them. Here’s how to do so effectively:
Identifying the Right People to Ask
Identify individuals who know your work well and can provide a positive and insightful recommendation. This includes former managers, colleagues, clients, and mentors.
Personalizing Your Request and Providing Context
When requesting a recommendation, personalize your message. Remind the person of your time working together and highlight specific projects or accomplishments you’d like them to mention. Provide them with context and make it easy for them to write the recommendation.
Offering to Reciprocate
It’s often a good practice to offer to reciprocate. Let the person know that you’re happy to write a recommendation for them in return, strengthening the professional relationship.
FAQs About Writing LinkedIn Recommendations
Here are some frequently asked questions about writing recommendations on LinkedIn:
What if I don’t remember specific details about the person’s work?
Focus on the general qualities you observed. Even if you don’t recall exact project details, you can still comment on their work ethic, communication skills, or ability to collaborate.
Can I edit a recommendation I’ve written?
Yes, you can edit recommendations you’ve written. Go to the person’s profile, scroll down to the “Recommendations” section, and click the pencil icon next to your recommendation.
How long should a LinkedIn recommendation be?
While there’s no strict length requirement, aim for a recommendation that is between 150-300 words. It should be detailed enough to be valuable, but concise enough to be easily read.
How do I decline a request to write a recommendation?
It’s perfectly acceptable to decline a recommendation if you don’t feel you know the person well enough or if you don’t have a positive experience to share. Politely explain that you aren’t the best person to provide a recommendation at this time.
What if I’m asked to write a recommendation for someone I didn’t work with closely?
If you feel you can’t provide a truly insightful recommendation, it’s best to decline. Suggesting another person who knows them better is a good way to handle the situation.
Conclusion: Leaving a Lasting Impression Through Recommendations
Writing a good recommendation on LinkedIn is a valuable skill that can significantly impact both the giver and the receiver. By understanding the power of recommendations, focusing on key elements like skills, accomplishments, and character, and following a structured approach, you can craft recommendations that are both impactful and memorable. Remember to be specific, authentic, and professional in your writing. By following these guidelines, you’ll be contributing to a more supportive and collaborative professional environment, leaving a lasting positive impression on the careers of others and enhancing your own professional network.