How To Write A LinkedIn Recommendation For Your Boss: A Guide to Crafting the Perfect Endorsement

Writing a LinkedIn recommendation for your boss can feel like navigating a delicate dance. You want to express genuine appreciation and highlight their strengths, but also maintain professionalism and avoid sounding overly effusive. This guide will provide you with a comprehensive framework for crafting a compelling and effective LinkedIn recommendation that genuinely reflects your boss’s value.

The Importance of a Well-Written LinkedIn Recommendation

A LinkedIn recommendation is more than just a few words; it’s a testament to your boss’s professional capabilities and character. It’s a public endorsement visible to potential clients, colleagues, and recruiters. A strong recommendation can significantly boost your boss’s professional profile, helping them to build their brand and network effectively. It also reflects well on you, showing that you’re observant, appreciative, and capable of articulating positive qualities.

Understanding Your Boss’s Professional Strengths

Before putting pen to paper (or fingers to keyboard), take some time to reflect on your boss’s key strengths. What are they truly exceptional at? Consider these areas:

  • Leadership Style: Are they a transformational leader, a servant leader, or something else?
  • Technical Skills: What specific skills do they excel at within their role?
  • Soft Skills: Are they excellent communicators, problem-solvers, or team players?
  • Impact: What positive impact have they had on the team, the company, or you personally?
  • Mentorship: Have they mentored you or others, and if so, what was the impact?

Identifying these strengths will allow you to write a recommendation that is both personalized and impactful.

Prepping Your Recommendation: Gathering Information

Now that you have a general idea of your boss’s strengths, gather concrete examples. Consider these questions:

  • What specific projects or situations have you worked on with your boss?
  • How did they handle challenges or setbacks?
  • What positive outcomes resulted from their leadership or guidance?
  • What specific skills did they demonstrate in these situations?
  • How did they make you feel during work?

The more specific details you can include, the more credible and compelling your recommendation will be.

Crafting the Recommendation: Structure and Content

Here’s a suggested structure for your LinkedIn recommendation:

H2: Opening: Express Your Gratitude and Relationship

Begin by clearly stating your relationship to your boss (e.g., “I had the pleasure of working with [Boss’s Name] as their [Your Role] at [Company Name]”) and your overall positive sentiment. Express your gratitude for their leadership or guidance.

H2: Highlighting Core Strengths: Providing Specific Examples

This is the heart of your recommendation. Choose 2-3 of your boss’s most significant strengths and provide specific examples to support each one. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to make your examples more impactful.

H2: Demonstrating Leadership and Impact

Focus on how your boss influenced your professional development, the team, or the company as a whole. This is where you can highlight their leadership qualities and the positive impact they’ve had.

H2: Offering a Strong Recommendation

Conclude with a clear and enthusiastic endorsement. State that you would recommend them highly and that they are valuable to any team or organization.

Mastering the Language: Tips for Writing a Great Recommendation

  • Be Authentic: Write in your own voice. Authenticity shines through and makes your recommendation more genuine.
  • Use Action Verbs: Start your sentences with strong action verbs that describe your boss’s skills and actions (e.g., “Managed,” “Led,” “Mentored,” “Developed,” “Implemented”).
  • Maintain Professionalism: Avoid overly casual language or hyperbole. Keep the tone professional and respectful.
  • Proofread Carefully: Check for grammar, spelling, and punctuation errors. A polished recommendation reflects well on both you and your boss.
  • Keep it Concise: Aim for a recommendation that is approximately 150-300 words.

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Writing a LinkedIn Recommendation

  • Being Vague: Avoid generic statements that could apply to anyone. Provide specific examples.
  • Using Clichés: Steer clear of overused phrases that lack originality.
  • Focusing Too Much on Yourself: The recommendation should primarily focus on your boss’s strengths.
  • Writing a Negative Recommendation: If you cannot write a positive recommendation, it’s best not to write one at all.
  • Overly Exaggerating: Stay truthful to your experiences.

Editing and Polishing Your LinkedIn Recommendation

Once you’ve written your draft, it’s time to edit and polish. Read through your recommendation carefully, paying attention to:

  • Clarity: Is your writing easy to understand?
  • Flow: Does the recommendation flow smoothly from one point to the next?
  • Impact: Does the recommendation effectively convey your boss’s strengths and value?
  • Specificity: Are your examples detailed and compelling?
  • Professionalism: Does the tone and language align with the professional context?

Consider asking a trusted colleague to read your recommendation and provide feedback.

Submitting Your Recommendation on LinkedIn

Once you’re satisfied with your recommendation, it’s time to submit it on LinkedIn. Here’s how:

  1. Navigate to your boss’s LinkedIn profile.
  2. Click on the “More” button (usually located near their profile picture).
  3. Select “Recommend.”
  4. Choose the relationship you had with your boss (e.g., “Manager”).
  5. Write your recommendation in the provided text box.
  6. Review your recommendation and click “Send.”

You might also consider sending a personalized message to your boss, letting them know you’ve written a recommendation.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What if I don’t have a close working relationship with my boss?

Even if you haven’t worked closely with your boss, you can still write a valuable recommendation. Focus on the observations you have made of their leadership style, their positive impact on the team, and any interactions you’ve had.

Is it okay to ask my boss if they want a recommendation?

Yes, it is perfectly acceptable to ask your boss if they would like a recommendation. This shows respect and allows them to provide any specific points they would like you to highlight. It is also a good time to ask them if they have anything in particular they’d like to emphasize in their profile.

How long should I wait to write a recommendation after working with my boss?

There’s no set time frame. Ideally, write the recommendation while your experience with your boss is still fresh in your mind. However, it’s never too late to write a recommendation.

Can I edit my recommendation after I’ve submitted it?

Yes, you can edit your recommendation after submitting it. Go to your boss’s profile and click the three dots next to the recommendation. Then click “Edit.”

What if I don’t know my boss’s email address?

You can usually find their email address on your company’s website or internal directory. You can also connect with them on LinkedIn and send them a direct message.

Conclusion: Elevate Your Boss’s Profile and Your Professionalism

Writing a LinkedIn recommendation for your boss is a valuable opportunity to showcase their strengths and, by extension, your own professional judgment. By following the guidelines outlined in this article, you can craft a compelling and effective recommendation that will help your boss build their professional brand and demonstrate your appreciation. Remember to focus on specifics, use strong language, maintain professionalism, and proofread carefully. A well-written recommendation is a win-win: it benefits your boss and reflects positively on you, solidifying your position as a thoughtful and supportive colleague.