Master the Art of Writing Powerful LinkedIn Recommendations: Boost Careers with These Proven Tips & Examples | Roamingdesk.com
Many of us are seeing more posts on LinkedIn from people who are searching for work after being laid off. It’s common to see several posts a day, and many of us might feel helpless about what we can do to assist them. If you haven’t been laid off before, it might be hard to understand how emotionally difficult it can be. People often tie their identity to their profession, and losing a job can affect self-esteem, confidence, and financial stability.
However, one simple but powerful way you can help those looking for jobs is by writing a LinkedIn recommendation for them. This small act of support can give them a confidence boost and potentially improve their visibility to recruiters who use LinkedIn to search for candidates.
While it may sound easy, writing a great LinkedIn recommendation can feel overwhelming. You might sit in front of a blank page, unsure of what to say or worried that your words won’t have the right impact. Sometimes, even when you want to help, you may not know where to start, or the person you’re offering to help might feel unsure about how to guide you in writing it. But don’t worry — there’s a simple formula you can follow to create an effective, heartfelt recommendation that will stand out.
Why LinkedIn Recommendations Matter
Before we dive into the step-by-step process, it’s important to understand the value of a LinkedIn recommendation. LinkedIn recommendations provide social proof, which is crucial in today’s job market. They show potential employers and recruiters that the person is not only skilled but also appreciated by their colleagues, managers, clients, or vendors.
A strong recommendation on LinkedIn can help a job-seeker stand out. The recommendation gives a personal touch to their profile, which often includes only professional qualifications and achievements. Additionally, LinkedIn’s algorithm may prioritize profiles with recommendations, making it more likely for recruiters to find the candidate.
Common Challenges in Writing LinkedIn Recommendations
Though it may seem simple, writing a LinkedIn recommendation can be challenging. The most common issues people face include:
- Blank page syndrome: You don’t know how to start or what to say.
- Fear of saying the wrong thing: You might worry about whether your recommendation is too generic, too short, or not impactful enough.
- Uncertainty about what to highlight: Should you focus on their skills, personality, or a specific project they worked on?
- Lack of guidance from the person requesting the recommendation: They may not provide you with direction on what they want or need in the recommendation.
But these challenges can be easily overcome with a little structure and a clear formula.
The 5-Step Formula for Writing a LinkedIn Recommendation
Here’s a simple, five-step formula you can use to write an impactful LinkedIn recommendation for anyone — whether they’re a former colleague, manager, or client.
- Start with how long you’ve known/worked with the person.
- Explain the context of the relationship. Describe the type of projects you worked on together or how you interacted professionally.
- Emphasize a couple of their professional skills or achievements. Highlight what they’re good at and the results they’ve achieved, if possible.
- Describe who they are on a personal level. Share what makes them stand out as a person and a professional.
- Conclude with a call to action. Finish by recommending them for the role or future opportunities.
Now, let’s break this down further and explore some examples.
Step 1: How Long You’ve Known or Worked With the Person
Starting your recommendation with how long you’ve known the individual is a great way to provide context. This shows readers that your insight is based on a meaningful professional relationship, which adds credibility to your recommendation.
Example:
“I’ve worked with Sally for over five years. We met when she joined our marketing team as a coordinator, and since then, she has been promoted several times.”
This opening gives a quick introduction to the relationship, showing that you have had a long-term connection with the person and witnessed their growth.
Step 2: Explain the Context of Your Relationship
Next, explain the type of working relationship you had. Were they your colleague? Did you manage them? Were they your client or a vendor? Providing this context helps the reader understand how you know the person and what kind of interactions you had.
Example:
“We collaborated closely on several major marketing projects, where Sally took on leadership roles and managed the team’s branding, marketing, and communications strategies.”
This step sets the stage for what kind of contribution the person made in their role. It’s important because it highlights the depth of your knowledge about their work.
Step 3: Emphasize Their Professional Skills and Achievements
Now, it’s time to get specific about the person’s professional abilities. This is where you can mention any standout skills, competencies, or specific results they’ve achieved. It’s especially helpful to include measurable achievements, such as increases in performance, revenue, or productivity.
Example:
“Sally has a remarkable ability to develop innovative marketing strategies that stand out in a crowded market. Under her leadership, our team’s social media engagement increased by 40% within six months, and her campaigns consistently brought in new leads.”
Including numbers and specific outcomes adds weight to the recommendation, showing tangible benefits that the person delivered.
Step 4: Describe Their Personal Qualities
A great recommendation doesn’t just focus on professional skills but also on the individual’s personal qualities. This part of the recommendation should explain why the person is enjoyable to work with and what makes them unique.
Example:
“What I admire most about Sally is her ability to inspire and unite her team. She always brings positive energy, even during tight deadlines, and encourages collaboration across departments.”
This shows that Sally isn’t just talented but also has the soft skills that make her a pleasure to work with — something employers value highly.
Step 5: Conclude with a Call to Action
Finally, wrap up your recommendation with a strong call to action. This is where you formally recommend the person for any future roles or opportunities.
Example:
“I highly recommend Sally for any marketing leadership role. She would be a tremendous asset to any organization looking for a dynamic, results-driven professional.”
This conclusion gives a clear endorsement and encourages others to consider the person for future roles.
Example Recommendations
To give you a better idea of how to use this formula, here are a few tailored examples for different scenarios.
Example for a Colleague You Managed
“I’ve worked with Sally for over five years. We first met when she was hired as a marketing coordinator, and since then, she has been promoted multiple times due to her exceptional skills. Sally has a keen eye for developing creative marketing campaigns that consistently outperform expectations. She led our team’s rebranding initiative, which resulted in a 30% increase in brand awareness. What makes Sally stand out is her ability to lead with empathy and foster collaboration across departments. I highly recommend her for any marketing leadership position.”
Example of a Work Colleague from Another Team
“I’ve had the pleasure of working with Sam for the past year on various cross-functional projects. Our teams collaborated closely on a project to streamline our project management processes. Throughout this time, I found Sam to be incredibly hard-working, innovative, and an excellent communicator. His calm demeanor and sense of humor kept the team motivated during stressful periods. I would not hesitate to recommend Sam to any organization looking for a talented and reliable team player.”
Example for a Manager
“Jane was my manager for over three years, and working with her was an incredible experience. She set clear goals for our team and provided the guidance we needed to consistently exceed our targets. Jane is not only a strong leader but also someone who truly cares about the growth and development of her team members. Her positive energy and ability to solve problems under pressure made her an outstanding manager. I would gladly work with her again and recommend her for any leadership position.”
Example for a Client
“My company began working with Tina’s team three years ago when they hired us to implement a new software platform. From the start, Tina was highly organized and communicated her needs clearly, which made the entire project run smoothly. She was adaptable when challenges arose and worked closely with us to find solutions. I was impressed by her ability to lead her team and handle complex issues with ease. I look forward to working with her again in the future and would recommend her for any role.”
Example for a Vendor
“Our company hired Craig’s software firm to help us develop our new platform, and we couldn’t have been happier with the results. Craig was instrumental in guiding our team through the planning and implementation phases. His attention to detail, excellent communication skills, and customer-centric approach made the entire process seamless. I would highly recommend Craig for any project, as he is a true professional and a pleasure to work with.”
Adding a Personal Touch
While this formula is a great starting point, don’t be afraid to personalize your recommendations. You know the person best, so include any anecdotes or specific examples that show their unique strengths. This will make your recommendation feel more genuine and stand out from the rest.
Ask for a Draft
If you’re still unsure about what to write, you can always ask the person requesting the recommendation to write a draft. This will give you a better idea of what they want to highlight and allow you to edit and personalize it. A draft can also help them include industry-specific keywords that might attract recruiters.
Example Request:
“Hey Charlie, I’d love to write you a LinkedIn recommendation. If you could provide a draft with some key points you want to include, that would help me get it posted quickly. Feel free to check out these examples as a guide.”
This approach saves time and ensures that the recommendation focuses on the most relevant details for the person’s job search.
Conclusion
Writing a LinkedIn recommendation doesn’t have to be a stressful or time-consuming process. By following this simple five-step formula, you can create a strong, meaningful recommendation that showcases the person’s professional skills and personal qualities. Whether you’re writing for a colleague, manager, client, or vendor, a thoughtful LinkedIn recommendation can make a big difference in their job search.
Have you ever written a LinkedIn recommendation? What tips do you have to share? Feel free to leave them in the comments below!
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