How to write a recommendation on Linkedin

Recommendations on Linkedin have become a serious issue; they can make the difference between getting or not your dream job or secure a contract with a potential client.

As they are seen by thousands of people, writers also jeopardize their reputation and credibility.

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According to the Linkedin Help Centre: “A recommendation is a comment written by a LinkedIn member to recognize or commend a colleague, business partner, or student.Viewers of your profile often view the recommendations you've received on your profile to see what others have to say about your work. The best recommendations come from people who value your work, services or products, such as managers, colleagues, co-workers, customers, and clients. Hiring managers and people searching for new customers and business partners prefer to work with people who come recommended by someone they know and trust. There's no limit to the number of recommendations you can request or give.”

It won’t be surprising if when you receive a request to recommend a colleague you suffer a headache trying to figure out what to write. What words to use? What length?

Take a deep breath and relax. There are many resources to help you write the best recommendation. Here are some suggestions:

- Briefly describe your relationship with your colleague, but avoid redundancy. Linkedin will show details of the relationship: the positions and the time each person worked at the same company.

- Keep your recommendation simple and concise; focus on the qualities of the other person. You don’t have to explain all the activities in which you worked together.

- Be specific. List some of the skills, qualities and areas in which the person excels. Words like: fabulous and amazing are very general and do not provide much value to the recommendation.

 “Kathy is a very talented, responsible and proactive colleague. Kathy has outstanding communication, organizational and multitasking skills. She is focused and dedicated to produce her very best at all times.”

- Use examples to support the recommendation. 

“John is capable of handling high complex marketing projects. I would definitely recommend John for any marketing position and I would really like to work again with him in the future if an opportunity arises.”

- Be honest. Recommendations must be authentic but if you have nothing positive to say about that person, do not write anything.

- Review examples:

Linkedinhowto.com - Recommendation examples

Technocator: Some most useful Linkedin recommendations

Lebnanco.com - Linkedin recommendations

-  End with a strong statement or a call to action. “Any employer would be lucky to have Mike as part of his/her team.”

- If you do not want to worry about writing the perfect recommendations there are companies dedicated to write them for you. For example, LinkedIn Makeover creates personal and corporate profiles, as well as recommendations.

Linkedin Makeover- Linkedin recommendations

- Lean on web tools such as Endorser to start creating the recommendation: Endorser.org

Etiquette on Linkedin:

-  Avoid writing words in uppercase; there is no need to shout. Bob is an AWESOME team player!

- Write in the present tense.

- If you request a recommendation you must also be prepared to give them.

- You can request a recommendation from up to 3 connections at once. There's no limit to the total number of recommendations you can request or receive.

Remember that: recommendations and endorsements aren't the same thing. “An endorsement is a one-click way for your connections to endorse the Skills & Endorsements listed on your profile. A recommendation is a written statement of recommendation from a connection. You may request recommendations from your connections, as well as proactively recommend your connections”.

Aída Ulloa, Editor The Visionaries Media Follow us: Twitter @VisionariesMed www.facebook.com/thevisionariesmedia