LinkedIn recommendations can supercharge your professional profile. Here’s what you need to know:
- They’re social proof that others value your work
- They make your profile stand out with detailed insights
- They can boost your visibility in recruiter searches
- They help strengthen your professional network
Key tips for great LinkedIn recommendations:
- Be specific about skills and achievements
- Keep it concise (3-5 sentences)
- Include real examples and results
- Balance professional skills with personal qualities
| What to Include | Why It Matters |
|---|---|
| Your connection | Adds credibility |
| Key skills | Shows expertise |
| Specific example | Proves impact |
| Personal trait | Humanizes the recommendation |
Whether you’re writing or requesting recommendations, focus on quality over quantity. A few strong, relevant endorsements can make a big difference in your professional profile.
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What are LinkedIn recommendations?
LinkedIn recommendations are personal testimonials from your connections. They showcase your skills, achievements, and character on your profile.
Think of them as mini-references right on your LinkedIn page. They give potential employers and clients a peek into what it’s like to work with you.
Why they matter
Recommendations on LinkedIn serve a few key purposes:
- They’re social proof. Someone else is vouching for your skills.
- They offer specific examples of your work.
- They boost your credibility in your field.
How they help your profile
Good recommendations can give your LinkedIn profile a serious boost:
- They make you more visible in searches.
- They show that others value your work.
- They help you stand out in a crowded job market.
- They can attract new connections.
- They often lead to more interview invites and job offers.
Want to make the most of recommendations? Here’s what to do:
- Ask supervisors, colleagues, or clients for recommendations.
- Give them some context about what you’d like highlighted.
- Aim for a mix that shows off different parts of your professional skills.
Key parts of a good LinkedIn recommendation
A solid LinkedIn recommendation can make your profile shine. Here’s what to include:
Explain your connection
Start with how you know the person. This adds credibility. For example:
"I worked with Sarah for 3 years at XYZ Corp. She led our marketing team’s projects."
Highlight skills and wins
List their main strengths. Back it up with real examples:
"John’s data skills were key to our success. He built a new reporting system that cut costs by $100K a year."
Show their personality
Paint a picture of what they’re like to work with:
"Lisa’s upbeat attitude made her a team favorite. She often stayed late to help others meet deadlines."
Tell a story
Use specific examples to bring their skills to life:
"When our main speaker got sick, Tom stepped in last-minute. His quick thinking won us a $500K contract."
How to write a LinkedIn recommendation step-by-step
Want to write a killer LinkedIn recommendation? Here’s how:
Start with a bang
Forget boring intros. Jump right in with something specific and attention-grabbing:
"Troy’s problem-solving skills are off the charts."
Set the scene
Quickly explain your connection:
"I managed Shane on a two-year project overhaul."
Spotlight their superpowers
Pick two key strengths that matter most for their career:
"Tanya thrives under pressure and juggles priorities like a pro."
Show, don’t just tell
Back it up with a real example:
"Joseph’s diplomacy turned a hostile client into our biggest advocate, leading to a $500K contract renewal."
Seal the deal
End with a clear vote of confidence:
"Need results? Mary’s your go-to person. Hire her yesterday."
Remember: Keep it punchy, specific, and real. Your recommendation could be the nudge that lands them their dream job.
Tips for better LinkedIn recommendations
Want your LinkedIn recommendations to pack a punch? Here’s how:
Keep it short and focused
Forget long-winded praise. Aim for 3-5 sentences that get straight to the point. Like this:
"Sarah flipped our marketing team on its head in just two years. She cranked up lead gen by 45% and slashed acquisition costs by 30%. Her mix of data smarts and storytelling chops? Pure gold for any marketing team."
Be honest and specific
Ditch the fluff. Focus on real skills and wins. Use numbers to back it up:
"Tom’s sales leadership? Off the charts. His team smashed quota by 150% for 3 quarters straight. He rolled out a new CRM that cut paperwork by 25%, giving reps more time to close. Tom’s rare blend of tech savvy and people skills gets results."
Match the recommendation to career goals
Tailor your words to their job hunt or career plans. Highlight what matters for their target roles:
"Jenny’s not just a coding whiz. She’s a born leader. She built our intern program from scratch, mentoring 12 juniors into full-time rockstars. Her knack for breaking down complex ideas makes her perfect for a tech lead spot."
Avoid overused phrases
Skip the clichés. Use language that paints a clear picture:
❌ "John is a dedicated professional." ✅ "John’s quick thinking turned a $2M client crisis into a $3M opportunity. That’s the kind of problem-solving that sets him apart."
Sample LinkedIn recommendation templates
Writing a killer LinkedIn recommendation can be tough. Here are some templates to help you out:
For a coworker
"I worked with [Name] for [time] at [Company]. [His/Her] [skill] helped us [achievement]. [Name] stands out because [quality]. Any team would be lucky to have [him/her]."
Include:
- How long you worked together
- Their key skills
- What they achieved
- What makes them special
For a boss
"[Name] was my manager at [Company] for [time]. Our team [accomplishment] under [his/her] leadership. [Name] is great at [strength]. I loved how [he/she] [personal trait]."
Focus on:
- How they lead
- What the team achieved
- Their management style
- How they helped you grow
For someone you manage
"I managed [Name] at [Company] for [time]. [He/She] always [achievement]. [Name’s] [skill] and [trait] made [him/her] stand out. [He/She]’ll crush it in any job needing [skills]."
Highlight:
- What they achieved
- Their best skills
- Their personality
- Where they’ll shine next
For a client or supplier
"I’ve worked with [Name] from [Company] for [time] as [client/supplier]. [Name] always [benefit]. [His/Her] [strength] and [trait] make working together great. I’d recommend [Name] for any [opportunity]."
Include:
- Your business relationship
- How they help you
- Their pro qualities
- Why you recommend them
When using these:
- Add specific details
- Keep it short (3-5 sentences)
- Focus on relevant skills
- Sound friendly but professional
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Common mistakes in LinkedIn recommendations
Writing a great LinkedIn recommendation isn’t easy. Here are some pitfalls to avoid:
Being too general
Vague praise doesn’t help anyone. Instead, get specific:
"Troy’s data analytics skills boosted our customer retention by 30% in just 6 months."
Only talking about personality
Don’t just say someone’s nice. Show how their personality AND skills make a difference:
"Shane’s friendly attitude and sharp project management got our $2 million build done 2 weeks early."
Exaggerating or making things up
Stick to the facts. Honesty builds trust.
Writing too much
Keep it short and sweet. Aim for 50-100 words that pack a punch:
"Joseph’s diplomacy turned a tough $5 million project into $20 million in repeat business. He knows how to handle tricky stakeholders in construction."
Remember: Be specific, balance personality and skills, stay honest, and keep it concise.
Using AI to help write recommendations
AI can speed up writing LinkedIn recommendations. Here’s how to use it well:
SuperTurtle.AI
SuperTurtle.AI has a LinkedIn Recommendation Generator. It uses smart tech to create endorsements based on info you give about someone’s skills and achievements.
To use it:
- Click ‘Explore AI Templates’
- Pick LinkedIn recommendation
- Enter info about the person
- Set tone and language
- Hit ‘Generate’
Why use AI for recommendations?
AI makes recommendations faster and more personal:
- Saves time
- Keeps a pro tone
- Helps with writer’s block
- Fits different jobs and industries
Making AI-written content better
AI gives you a start, but you need to add your personal touch:
- Share stories: Add examples of working together
- Tweak the words: Make it sound like you
- Check facts: Make sure dates and achievements are right
- Be specific: Add real numbers or project names
Tip: Get your colleague’s LinkedIn PDF profile for more info to feed the AI.
"I use AI to draft recommendations, then spend 10-15 minutes making it personal. This makes sure it really shows what it was like to work with that person", says Sarah Chen, HR Director at TechCorp.
Examples of great LinkedIn recommendations
Let’s look at some standout LinkedIn recommendations:
For various work relationships
Manager to team member
"Meha was on my engineering team for a year. She’s all about getting better. I’ve seen her fix tough bugs and write scripts for fun. She’s always helping new team members too. Any company would be lucky to have her."
Team member to manager
"Seema was my boss for two years. Thanks to her, I went from hitting my sales target half the time to smashing it every quarter. She’s great at bringing out different ideas from the team. You’d be lucky to work for her."
From different job fields
Marketing professional
"Jordan taught me digital ads when I was new to paid marketing. I wasn’t even on his team, but he took the time to show me the ropes. His help led to some big wins for our clients."
Engineering
"Sam and I worked together at TechCorp for a year. He’s smart, works hard, and knows how to talk to people. His jokes helped when deadlines got tight. But what really stands out? He’s always ready to lend a hand. I’d work with Sam again in a heartbeat."
Focusing on different skills
Leadership and project management
"I was on Jane’s team for 3 years. We beat our quotas every month. Why? Jane sets clear goals, gives good feedback, and makes you believe in yourself. If you get a chance to work with her, jump on it!"
Client relations and problem-solving
"Tina helped us set up a new marketing platform. She nailed the timeline and strategy. When things got tricky, she adapted fast. Her team loved working with her, and so did we. I’d hire her again in a second."
How to ask for a LinkedIn recommendation
Feeling awkward about asking for a LinkedIn recommendation? Don’t sweat it. Here’s how to do it right:
Who to ask
Pick people who know your work:
- Managers (past and present)
- Close colleagues
- Happy clients
- Mentors you’ve impressed
Mix it up to show you’re well-rounded.
Asking politely
1. Time it right
Just finished a big project? That’s your moment.
2. Make it personal
Skip the copy-paste job. Remind them why their opinion matters.
3. Offer a draft
Give them a starting point. They’ll appreciate it.
4. Share your goals
Job hunting? Let them know.
Here’s a template to get you started:
Hey [Name],
Remember that [project] we crushed? I’m sprucing up my LinkedIn and wondered if you’d write a quick recommendation. Could you highlight my [skill] and [skill]?
Happy to draft something if you’re short on time. And I’d love to return the favor.
No worries if you’re swamped.
Cheers, [Your Name]
What to tell them
Help them help you. Give them:
- A refresher on your work together
- Skills you want to showcase
- Your big wins
- Where you’re headed career-wise
If they’re on board, follow up with the goods:
| What to Share | Example |
|---|---|
| Top skills | Project management, data crunching |
| Big win | Boosted sales 20% |
| Concrete example | Rolled out new CRM without a hitch |
| Career goal | Gunning for senior marketing role |
Making the most of LinkedIn recommendations
LinkedIn recommendations can boost your profile. Here’s how to use them:
Where to show recommendations on your profile
Put your best recommendations where people can see them:
- Top of your "Recommendations" section
- Key quote in your "About" section
- "Featured" section for top recommendations
Connecting recommendations to specific jobs
Link feedback to your work:
- Ask for mentions of specific roles or projects
- Use "Ask for a recommendation" when adding new jobs
- Update old recommendations to match current goals
Using recommendations when applying for jobs
Use recommendations in job applications:
- Short quotes in your cover letter
- Mention in interviews to back up claims
- Add to resume summary if there’s space
| Where to use | How to use | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Cover letter | Brief quote | "My former manager said I ‘consistently exceeded sales targets by 20%’." |
| Interview | Specific example | "A colleague praised how I led a team to launch our app two weeks early." |
| Resume | Skill validation | "4 recommendations highlight my leadership skills" |
Quality beats quantity. A few strong, relevant recommendations can make a big difference.
"Be yourself, represent who you are. It’s not just your experiences; this is not a resume … This is a more dynamic approach to representing your experiences, your skills, your objectives, what you know, what you’re interested in within a professional context." – Jeff Weiner, CEO of LinkedIn
Conclusion
LinkedIn recommendations can supercharge your career and network. They’re like social proof for your skills. Here’s what matters:
- Be specific and honest
- Keep it short (3-5 sentences)
- Show what makes someone special
- Use a simple 5-step formula
| Step | What to Do |
|---|---|
| 1 | Strong opening |
| 2 | Explain how you worked together |
| 3 | Highlight standout traits |
| 4 | Add a personal touch |
| 5 | End with a clear endorsement |
Ready to start? Here’s your game plan:
1. Write one recommendation each week
Try this for a month. It’s easier than you think!
2. Ask for recommendations
Don’t wait. Reach out to colleagues and give them some talking points.
3. Showcase your best recommendations
Put the good ones front and center on your LinkedIn profile.
4. Use them in your job search
Sprinkle strong recommendations into your cover letters and interviews.
And remember, you don’t need to be job hunting to boost your profile. As Brian Collins from the Greyhound Health Initiative says:
"It’s perfectly acceptable to better your professional brand, whether you’re job searching or not!"
So get out there and start recommending!
FAQs
What is a good LinkedIn recommendation example?
A solid LinkedIn recommendation spotlights skills, traits, and results. Here’s one:
"Sarah’s project management skills are top-notch. At TechCorp, she consistently delivered complex software projects on time and under budget. Her knack for coordinating teams and managing stakeholders was key to launching our flagship product in Q2 2023."
Why this works:
- Names a specific skill
- Gives context
- Shows concrete results
- Highlights a big win
When writing recommendations:
- Be specific
- Use real examples
- Keep it short (3-5 sentences)
- Align with their career goals
Julia, a LinkedIn Copywriter, says:
"Detailed reviews give potential clients more context about working with you."
