Leveraging LinkedIn Recommendations to Boost Your Profile

LinkedIn recommendations are one of the most underrated tools for building trust and credibility on your profile. Whether you’re job hunting, freelancing, or growing your professional network, a few well-written recommendations can go a long way. This blog explains how to use LinkedIn recommendations effectively and why they matter.

What Are LinkedIn Recommendations?

LinkedIn recommendations are written endorsements from colleagues, managers, clients, or anyone you’ve worked with. They appear on your profile and give others a snapshot of your work ethic, skills, and impact in someone else’s words.

Why LinkedIn Recommendations Matter

1. They Build Credibility

Anyone can write about their own skills. But when others vouch for you, it adds a layer of trust. Recruiters and potential clients often look at recommendations to understand how others view your performance.

2. They Strengthen Your Personal Brand

A recommendation helps show who you are beyond a job title. Are you a problem solver? A great team player? Someone who consistently delivers results? Real feedback makes this clear.

3. They Add Context to Your Experience

Job descriptions list tasks. Recommendations highlight outcomes. They can showcase how you handled pressure, met deadlines, or went above and beyond.

Who Should You Ask for a Recommendation?

Ask people who:

• Have worked closely with you

• Have seen your skills in action

• Can speak about your contributions honestly

Examples:

• Former or current managers

• Teammates or cross-functional colleagues

• Clients or customers

• Mentors or advisors

Tip: Aim for variety, a few different voices from different roles make your profile more well-rounded.

How to Ask for a LinkedIn Recommendation

Be polite and specific. Here’s a simple message template:

Hi [Name],

I hope you’re doing well. I really enjoyed working with you on [project or role]. I’m updating my LinkedIn and was wondering if you’d be open to writing a short recommendation about our work together. It would mean a lot and help me show the kind of results I deliver.

Let me know if you’d like me to remind you of any details. Thanks so much!

Personalize the message and make it easy for them to say yes.

How to Give a Great Recommendation

It’s a two-way street. Giving thoughtful recommendations can lead to receiving them too. When writing one:

• Be honest and specific

• Mention the context of your relationship

• Highlight strengths and achievements

Example:

I worked with Jane on the digital marketing team at ABC Corp. She consistently brought creative ideas and strong execution to every campaign. Her ability to manage tight deadlines while keeping the team motivated was impressive. Any company would be lucky to have her on board.

Where Recommendations Fit on Your Profile

Recommendations appear toward the bottom of your LinkedIn profile, but they’re often read when someone is seriously considering you, especially recruiters. Make sure you have at least 3–5 strong ones that reflect different parts of your career.

Final Tips

• Don’t be afraid to follow up politely if someone hasn’t written one after a few weeks.

• Update your recommendations occasionally to reflect new roles or achievements.

• Give before you ask, writing recommendations for others often leads them to return the favor.

In summary, LinkedIn recommendations are a powerful, free way to boost your credibility. With the right approach, they can help you stand out in a crowded job market and leave a strong impression on anyone viewing your profile.

Want to level up your LinkedIn game? Start by asking for one recommendation this week.