Category: LinkedIn & Networking FAQ
What’s the best way to use LinkedIn recommendations?
LinkedIn recommendations are powerful social proof but must be used strategically. Who to ask: Request recommendations from people who can speak to different aspects of your work: direct managers (performance and leadership), peers (collaboration and expertise), clients (results and professionalism), direct reports if you manage (leadership style), professors for recent grads. Prioritize recent connections who know your current work. When to ask: After completing a successful project together, when leaving a role (while relationship is fresh), after receiving positive feedback, when you’ve helped them with something (reciprocity increases likelihood). Don’t ask during conflicts or right after mistakes. How to ask: Make it easy for them. Send a personalized message: thank them for working together, explain why their recommendation matters, offer to draft something they can edit, suggest 2-3 specific accomplishments or skills they could highlight, offer to write one for them in return. How many: 3-5 strong recommendations are ideal. More than 10 looks excessive; zero looks suspicious. Aim for variety: different companies, roles, and perspectives. Managing recommendations: You must approve recommendations before they appear. Decline generic ones like ‘Great to work with!’ Request edits if needed: ‘Thank you! Would you mind adding a specific example about the X project?’ Display strategically: LinkedIn lets you choose which appear at the top – prioritize most recent and most impressive. Give recommendations generously: Write specific, detailed recommendations for others – they’ll often reciprocate and it builds your credibility.
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