LinkedIn Recommendations: How to Request and Write Them
LinkedIn recommendations are written testimonials from colleagues, managers, clients, professors, or business partners. While they're not required, high-quality recommendations can reinforce your experience and provide social proof that supports the claims made in your profile and resume.
Quick Answer
Ask people who have worked closely with you to write honest, specific recommendations that describe your skills, work ethic, and achievements. Personalized recommendations are more valuable than generic praise.
In This Guide
What Are LinkedIn Recommendations?
Recommendations are written references displayed on your LinkedIn profile.
Unlike endorsements, recommendations contain detailed feedback about working with you.
They often describe:
● Technical skills
● Communication
● Leadership
● Reliability
● Teamwork
● Business impact
Why Recommendations Matter
Recommendations can help:
● Increase credibility
● Support your achievements
● Provide third-party validation
● Strengthen your professional reputation
● Give recruiters additional context
Although recruiters primarily evaluate your experience and qualifications, recommendations can reinforce a positive impression.
Who Should You Ask?
Good people to request recommendations from include:
● Current or former managers
● Team leaders
● Coworkers
● Clients
● Professors
● Internship supervisors
● Long-term project partners
Choose people who know your work well rather than those with impressive job titles but limited experience working with you.
How to Request a Recommendation
Keep your request short, polite, and personalized.
Example Request
"Hi Sarah, I really enjoyed working with you on the CRM migration project. If you have time, would you be willing to write a brief LinkedIn recommendation highlighting our work together? I'd really appreciate it."
Mentioning a shared project makes it easier for the other person to write something specific.
What Makes a Strong Recommendation?
A useful recommendation usually includes:
● Your relationship
● The type of work completed
● Skills demonstrated
● Specific achievements
● Overall recommendation
Specific examples carry more weight than general compliments.
Example Recommendation
Sample Recommendation
"I worked with Ahmed for nearly two years on several backend development projects. He consistently delivered reliable, well-designed solutions and was always willing to help teammates solve technical challenges. His attention to detail, strong communication skills, and ability to improve application performance made him a valuable member of our team. I would gladly work with him again."
Writing a Recommendation for Someone Else
If you're writing a recommendation:
● Be honest
● Mention your working relationship
● Include specific examples
● Highlight measurable impact when possible
● Keep it concise
Avoid writing recommendations for people whose work you don't know well.
Quality Beats Quantity
Five thoughtful recommendations from people who worked closely with you are generally more valuable than dozens of short, generic recommendations that provide little detail.
Common Mistakes
Avoid:
● Asking strangers for recommendations
● Writing generic requests
● Accepting inaccurate recommendations
● Exaggerating achievements
● Trading recommendations without genuine experience
● Never updating older recommendations
Best Practices
● Request recommendations after completing successful projects
● Personalize every request
● Prioritize managers and direct collaborators
● Review recommendations for accuracy
● Thank people who recommend you
● Keep recommendations consistent with your resume and LinkedIn profile
Reinforce Your Professional Story
Recommendations work best when they support a strong resume and LinkedIn profile. Resumee helps you organize measurable achievements, create ATS-friendly resumes, and build professional application materials that accurately reflect your experience and make it easier for others to recommend your work.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many LinkedIn recommendations should I have?
There is no required number. A few detailed, genuine recommendations from people who know your work well are usually enough.
Are recommendations more valuable than endorsements?
Generally, yes. Recommendations provide written context and specific examples, while endorsements simply indicate that someone recognizes a skill.
Can I edit someone's recommendation?
No. You can accept or decline it, but you can't edit the content written by another person.
Should students ask for recommendations?
Yes. Professors, internship supervisors, research advisors, and project mentors can all write meaningful recommendations.
Do recruiters read LinkedIn recommendations?
Some do, particularly during later stages of the hiring process or when comparing strong candidates. Recommendations typically support your profile rather than determine hiring decisions.