LinkedIn recommendations play a crucial role in establishing a professional’s credibility on the platform. By providing and receiving recommendations, individuals can showcase their abilities, work ethics, and character to potential employers, clients, and collaborators. With the increasing importance of LinkedIn in the professional world, mastering the art of writing a strong recommendation is crucial. This article aims to provide guidance and templates for writing LinkedIn recommendations that will leave a lasting impression on the recipient and reflect positively on the writer’s professional reputation.
However, writing a LinkedIn recommendation can be daunting, and many people struggle to craft an effective and impactful message. This article aims to provide guidance on how to write a LinkedIn recommendation, including samples and templates. By following these tips and using the provided templates, readers will be able to create killer recommendations that reflect well on both the person being recommended and the recommender.
In this article, we will cover the importance of LinkedIn recommendations, the purpose of the article, and provide a brief overview of the templates and samples that will be discussed. Readers will gain insight into the best practices for crafting a recommendation that stands out, how to personalize the message, and the importance of being honest in their assessment. The article will also provide examples of brief anecdotes and stories that can add depth and authenticity to the recommendation.
What is a LinkedIn Endorsement?
A LinkedIn endorsement is a form of recommendation that you can give to one of your connections. This can be requested from a former colleague, vendor, or employee or given voluntarily to strengthen your professional relationships. Such endorsements can help foster goodwill within your network.
Why are LinkedIn endorsements necessary?
Receiving LinkedIn endorsements is crucial for the person who is endorsed. Such recommendations offer insights into the individual’s professional reputation and character on LinkedIn. Moreover, endorsements can highlight the extent and variety of a person’s professional connections, which studies have shown to be critical for advancing one’s career.
However, providing endorsements is also crucial.
Having a recommendation from a well-connected individual can significantly impact a candidate’s career progression. If someone seeks your endorsement, it is likely because they hold you in high regard and believe that others do too. Being asked to provide an endorsement is a privilege, and receiving multiple requests is a compliment.
As professional networks tend to intersect, the LinkedIn endorsements you write will likely be visible to individuals in your field. Therefore, ensuring that your endorsements are professional and positive and reflect well on you is essential.
Additionally, individuals you endorse are likely to reciprocate the gesture. If you want to receive sincere and meaningful professional endorsements quickly, begin by offering them to your colleagues and clients.
How to Write a Great LinkedIn Endorsement
Composing excellent recommendations doesn’t have to be a time-consuming task. You can use a straightforward formula to make the process quick and effortless:
- Begin by describing the qualities of the person you endorse, such as being personable, intelligent, or honest.
- Share how you have professionally interacted with the person and how they have impressed you.
- Demonstrate your enthusiasm for the individual in a way that feels authentic to you.
- Finally, proofread your recommendation carefully, paying attention to sentence structure and grammar.
Examples of Good and Bad Endorsements
Below are some examples of LinkedIn recommendations. It is essential to note that an outstanding endorsement should be comprehensive, professional, and specific. In contrast, poor recommendations tend to be overly casual, vague, and either too subdued or excessively effusive.
An effective endorsement should:
“John is an incredibly innovative and dependable designer. Over the past five years, I have collaborated with John on several projects, and I can confidently say he is one of the most gifted professionals I have worked with. He consistently delivers projects ahead of schedule and possesses a unique design perspective. I would be delighted to collaborate with John again on any project.”
A poor endorsement would be:
“John comes across as a friendly person to me!” or “John is a decent designer.”
An effective endorsement should:
“I have had the pleasure of working with Lisa for over a year, and I can attest to her exceptional leadership skills. Lisa is deeply committed to her work, and her willingness to go the extra mile to support her colleagues is truly impressive. Not only does she consistently meet deadlines, but she also skillfully navigates her team through challenging situations, keeping them engaged and motivated. Lisa’s unwavering dedication to her vision is truly inspiring.”
A poor endorsement would be:
“Lisa is the best person alive. She does good work and always has your back.”
Professional Adjectives
If you’re having difficulty finding the right words, this list of professional adjectives can help you get started:
- Talented
- Committed
- Responsible
- Productive
- Problem-solving
- Creative
- Dedicated
- Resourceful
- Motivated
- Honest and straightforward
- Passionate about the job
- Strong work ethic
- Friendly personality
- Hardworking
- High level of professional integrity
LinkedIn Recommendation Samples
Here are some templates for LinkedIn recommendations that you can use to create endorsements for different situations. You can use them as a starting point, but remember to add your own personal touch:
- I have had the pleasure of collaborating with _______ on multiple projects, and I can confidently say that s/he was a delight to work with. S/he possesses exceptional qualities such as being [list two to four adjectives].
- I have had the pleasure of working with _______ on various projects and can confidently say that he/she is one of the most [list two to four adjectives] people I have ever worked with. His/Her [list two to four adjectives] skills and contributions have been invaluable to our team/company.
- I highly recommend _____ for their [list one to three adjectives] and [list one to two traits]. They have proven valuable assets in [related experience or accomplishment].
- _____ has been a valuable member of our team as [job role] for _____ years. S/he is [list several positive adjectives], and we have come to depend on his/her expertise and dedication. I strongly recommend _____ for any future opportunities.
- We have had the opportunity to work with _____ as our employee, and their work is a testament to their abilities. They possess [list two to four positive traits] that make them outstanding professionals, and I wholeheartedly endorse them.
- _____ has completed a [job-related task] for us, and we were impressed with their diligence, skill in the craft, and responsiveness.
- We were pleased with the work _____ completed on our project. They consistently showed up every day and completed the work efficiently without requiring constant supervision or feedback.
If you’re hesitant about recommending a recommendation, consider using a more cautious tone. Here is a template for that situation:
- _____ has been a valuable member of our team, working with our company in the role of _______ for [time]. We appreciate their contributions and wish them all the best in their future endeavors.
If you cannot provide a positive endorsement for a colleague, contractor, or former employee, it is best to decline the invitation to endorse them politely.
Take It a Step Further
Templates can provide a good foundation for your recommendation, but you’ll need to add your personal touch to make it exceptional.
Here are some examples of how you can add a brief anecdote or career story that sums up the person’s character:
- Linda worked diligently until midnight for three consecutive days to ensure that we met the contract milestones, and she did it with a smile every morning.
- In just 18 months, Joe has progressed from a junior position to team lead at our company. I’ve observed him handle numerous challenging situations and clients with composure during this period.
Another way to enhance your endorsement is to express your eagerness to work with the person again in the future. This puts the reader of your recommendation in the person’s shoes and makes it more compelling. Here are some examples:
- Dave is an essential member of my ideal team, and I would never hesitate to include him in any future project.
- We would be delighted to work with Beth again if given a chance. She is an invaluable asset to any team.
- Jim’s exceptional leadership skills are unmatched, and we would be lucky to have him join our team in a permanent role.
Conclusion
LinkedIn recommendations are a powerful tool for building a professional network and showcasing your skills and character. This article has covered various tips and templates to help you write a killer recommendation for someone on LinkedIn. We have emphasized the importance of personalizing your recommendation, sharing specific anecdotes, and expressing your willingness to work with the person in the future.
It’s worth reiterating that LinkedIn recommendations can significantly impact someone’s career and professional reputation. A well-written recommendation can be a powerful endorsement that sets someone apart from the competition and opens up new opportunities.
We encourage you to take the time to write recommendations for deserving professionals in your network. Not only is it a kind gesture, but it can also strengthen your relationship with that person and build your own professional reputation as a thoughtful and supportive colleague. With the tips and templates provided in this article, you can confidently craft a recommendation that will make a lasting impact.
