In today’s highly connected professional landscape, a strong online presence has become an essential component for career advancement. Among the various platforms available, LinkedIn continues to be a leading hub for networking and showcasing one’s skills and accomplishments. One of the most valuable features of this platform is the ability to provide and receive recommendations, as they offer a powerful endorsement of an individual’s capabilities. As we step into 2023, it is crucial to understand the evolving landscape of LinkedIn recommendations and the best practices to craft compelling and impactful testimonials. In this article, we will explore the key elements and strategies to write an exceptional LinkedIn recommendation that effectively highlights the strengths and achievements of your connections, enhancing their professional reputation and opportunities in the ever-competitive job market.

Source: blog.hubspot.com

Explain the nature of your professional relationship

The nature of your professional relationship holds significant importance when it comes to writing a compelling LinkedIn recommendation. This seemingly serious aspect serves as a crucial piece of context that acts as an introduction for your testimonial. It provides valuable insights to the reader, offering a glimpse into the depth and breadth of your interaction with the individual you’re recommending. Whether you have been closely collaborating with a coworker for an extended period or have recently established a professional connection with an agency point of contact, explaining the nature of your relationship sets the stage for the reader to understand the basis and relevance of your recommendation. By sharing pertinent details about your professional association, such as the duration of your collaboration, you provide an essential framework for the reader to grasp the depth of your knowledge and experience with the individual in question.

Example

Lisa and I have been coworkers for over two years.

Give information about the position this individual is aiming for

When it comes to writing a comprehensive LinkedIn recommendation, it is crucial to offer details about the position or positions the individual is working toward. This information helps provide clarity and context to the reader, allowing them to understand the specific role or roles that the person you are recommending has held during your professional association. It is important to determine whether you are recommending them for their work in a single position or across multiple jobs they have held while you worked together.

Once you have identified the relevant positions, the next step is to explain some notable aspects of their job. While this may initially feel akin to listing out their job description, it serves as a valuable resource for readers seeking to gain insight into the individual’s responsibilities and contributions. However, it is essential to strike a balance and avoid creating an exhaustive list of their job duties. If the person has worn multiple hats during their tenure, it is advisable to reach out to them and inquire if there are specific aspects of their role they would like emphasized over others. This collaborative approach ensures that your recommendation accurately reflects their notable achievements and showcases their strengths in a targeted manner.

Example

Over the course of those two years, I’ve watched her not only succeed at the essential aspects of her job like copywriting and copyediting but also pick up new skills related to duties that go far outside the purview of her position. These include event organizing, email marketing, and even promoting internal communications inside our organization.

Explain how they’ve grown at the company

Highlighting the professional growth of the individual you are recommending can significantly enhance the impact of your LinkedIn recommendation, particularly if they have reported to you or previously held that reporting relationship. Describing their progression within the company, whether it be advancement within their current role or transitioning from one role to another, showcases their ability to adapt and thrive as the organization expands.

When highlighting their growth, it is important to strike a balance and avoid overemphasizing any low points in their career that may dilute the value of the growth you are trying to highlight. Instead, focus on their achievements, milestones, and areas where they have demonstrated notable development and improvement. Discuss their ability to take on new responsibilities, handle increased challenges, or acquire new skills that have contributed to their growth within the organization. By illustrating their professional journey, you provide readers with valuable insights into their adaptability, resilience, and capacity to excel in dynamic work environments.

Example

Lisa has developed as swiftly as our company and any professional would benefit from her eagerness to learn and accept these additional duties.

Describe how their involvement aided the team’s or company’s expansion

Undoubtedly, one of the most impactful aspects of a LinkedIn recommendation is showcasing how the individual’s contributions have played a pivotal role in the growth of their team or the company as a whole. This can be demonstrated through various means, including their instrumental role in achieving hard metrics, their leadership abilities in guiding and supporting their teammates, or their initiation and fostering of new initiatives.

When highlighting their contributions, it is valuable to provide specific examples that illustrate the tangible impact they have made. For instance, you can outline how their exceptional performance directly contributed to the attainment of key performance indicators or how their innovative ideas and strategic thinking propelled the team or company to new heights. Additionally, discussing their leadership skills and how they have effectively motivated and guided their colleagues can demonstrate their ability to create a positive and productive work environment.

 

Furthermore, highlighting their involvement in initiating and fostering new initiatives emphasizes their proactive approach to driving growth and innovation within the organization. By shedding light on their role in implementing and executing these initiatives, you showcase their ability to think outside the box and contribute to the overall success and expansion of the team or company.

Example

The development of the business has depended heavily on Lisa’s ability to excel in both her primary work and side initiatives. In actuality, a dramatic rise in employee happiness coincided with her taking up internal business communication.

Describe what this person’s accomplishments tell us about them

The achievements and examples of contributions you have detailed in your LinkedIn recommendation provide valuable insights into the qualities and attributes of the person you are recommending. These specific instances shed light on their character, work ethic, ambition, and ability to positively impact team morale.

For instance, if you have highlighted their instrumental role in achieving hard metrics, it reveals their dedication, perseverance, and strong work ethic. Their ability to consistently deliver results and exceed expectations demonstrates their commitment to excellence and their drive to succeed.

If you have emphasized their leadership abilities and their capacity to guide and support their teammates, it showcases their interpersonal skills, communication prowess, and their aptitude for building strong relationships. Their ability to motivate and inspire others indicates their capability to foster collaboration, boost team morale, and create a harmonious work environment.

By connecting their achievements with their attributes, you provide a comprehensive view of the person’s professional qualities and strengths. It allows readers to gain a deeper understanding of their character, capabilities, and the unique value they bring to the table.

Example

This exceptional blend of initiative and productivity set a fantastic example for the rest of the team. It also explains why Lisa is so popular with everyone, regardless of where they are on the organizational chart.

Finish with a comment on how working with them was personal

In concluding the recommendation, it is crucial to touch upon the personal aspect of working with the individual, allowing the message to resonate deeply. Expressing your sentiments about their professional qualities, and aspirations for their career, and even offering a prediction about their future achievements can further reinforce the strength of your recommendation.

In conclusion, the personal aspect of working with [person’s name] has been a rewarding experience, leaving a lasting impression on me. Their remarkable attributes, combined with their unwavering dedication, inspire confidence in their ability to excel. As they continue to make strides in their career, I wholeheartedly endorse [person’s name] and eagerly anticipate the remarkable achievements and positive impact they will undoubtedly make in the future.

Example

Considering the remarkable qualities Lisa possesses, it is with great anticipation that I envision their future career trajectory. Her unwavering commitment to excellence, coupled with her innate talent and ability to inspire others, sets the stage for remarkable accomplishments. As she continues to grow and evolve, I have no doubt that Lisa will leave an indelible impact in her chosen field. Her unique combination of skills, determination, and interpersonal finesse positions her for continued success and recognition.

Examples of LinkedIn Recommendations

Recommendation from an Employee

Over 40% of workers are reportedly seeking a new job, according to a 2021 SHRM research. Additionally, 50% of workers have different employer expectations now than they did prior to the pandemic, per a 2022 Gartner study.

A stakeholder who respects the opinions of the individuals they oversee will receive employee recommendations. Additionally, it demonstrates their top-down leadership style.

The proposal below describes how a person’s supervisor advanced within the organization and how this person mentored them so they could develop as employees.

Example

I highly recommend [Employee’s Name] as an exceptional colleague and valuable asset to any organization. During our time working together at [Company Name], I was consistently impressed by their professionalism, dedication, and strong work ethic.

[Employee’s Name] consistently demonstrated a proactive approach to their work, consistently going above and beyond to deliver outstanding results. They possess excellent problem-solving skills and the ability to effectively prioritize tasks, ensuring that projects were completed efficiently and to the highest standard.

In addition to their impressive work performance, [Employee’s Name] is a great team player and a pleasure to collaborate with. They have strong communication skills and always fostered a positive and inclusive work environment. Their ability to listen, provide valuable insights, and support their colleagues made them trusted and reliable members of our team.

Recommendation from an Employer

For many occupations, employer recommendations might be used in place of or in addition to the listed qualifications. Employer recommendations are therefore a crucial addition to LinkedIn. LinkedIn letters, in contrast to the majority of conventional letters of recommendation, are frequently succinct and direct. Most are brief yet dense paragraphs rather than a whole page.

Example

I am delighted to recommend [Employee’s Name] based on their exceptional performance and valuable contributions during their time at [Company Name]. As an employer, it is always a pleasure to work with individuals who consistently exceed expectations, and [Employee’s Name] is one such standout professional. [Employee’s Name] was a valuable asset to our team, consistently delivering high-quality work and consistently meeting or surpassing targets. They have a remarkable ability to adapt to new challenges, displaying both resilience and resourcefulness in finding effective solutions.

Furthermore, [Employee’s Name] consistently demonstrated strong leadership skills. They effectively managed their responsibilities, supervised team members, and motivated the team to achieve collective goals. Their exceptional communication skills and ability to foster a positive work environment greatly contributed to the overall success of our projects. I have no doubt that [Employee’s Name] will continue to excel in their career and make significant contributions to their future employers. It is with great confidence that I recommend [Employee’s Name] for any role that aligns with their skills and expertise. They will undoubtedly be an asset to any organization fortunate enough to have them on their team.

Coworker Recommendation

Over 20% of LinkedIn members are between the ages of 18 and 24. As a result, a significant portion of LinkedIn members are new grads who may have no work experience. LinkedIn is used by employers to get a sense of your dedication, involvement, and soft skills at work. These areas can be highlighted well by coworkers. Let’s take a look at some stellar LinkedIn recommendations from coworkers.

Example

I highly recommend [Coworker’s Name] as an exceptional coworker and valuable team member. I had the pleasure of working alongside [Coworker’s Name] at [Company Name], and their dedication, expertise, and positive attitude greatly contributed to our team’s success. [Coworker’s Name] consistently impressed me with their strong work ethic and attention to detail. They have a deep understanding of their role and responsibilities, consistently delivering high-quality work within deadlines. Whenever we faced challenges, [Coworker’s Name] was always proactive in finding solutions and offering support to the team.

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