Writing a LinkedIn recommendation for a colleague is a great way to show your appreciation for their skills, work ethic, and contributions to the team. A well-crafted recommendation not only helps the colleague stand out to potential employers or connections but also strengthens your professional relationship. A thoughtful and personalized recommendation can make a significant impact on their professional reputation and career opportunities.
In this guide, we’ll cover the key steps and best practices for writing an engaging and effective LinkedIn recommendation for a colleague.
Why Write a LinkedIn Recommendation?
Before diving into the how-to, it’s important to understand why writing a LinkedIn recommendation is valuable:
- Builds Professional Relationships: Writing a recommendation demonstrates your respect and appreciation for your colleague, strengthening your professional bond.
- Boosts Credibility: A detailed, personalized recommendation highlights your colleague’s skills and accomplishments, making them more appealing to recruiters, clients, or collaborators.
- Reinforces Personal Branding: By sharing specific examples of your colleague’s achievements, you’re helping them build a strong professional profile.
- Reciprocity: Often, when you write a recommendation for someone, they may return the favor, helping boost your own credibility and LinkedIn profile.
Steps to Write a Great LinkedIn Recommendation
1. Start with a Strong Opening Line
The first sentence of your recommendation should grab attention and immediately highlight a positive trait about your colleague. Instead of generic phrases like “I had the pleasure of working with,” be specific and engaging right from the start.
Examples of Strong Opening Lines:
- “Jane is one of the most dedicated and detail-oriented project managers I’ve ever worked with.”
- “John’s creativity and leadership transformed our marketing team’s approach to content creation.”
- “Sara’s ability to manage complex projects while fostering collaboration makes her an invaluable asset to any team.”
2. Explain Your Professional Relationship
After the opening, briefly explain how you know the person and in what capacity you worked together. This context helps readers understand the nature of your working relationship and why your opinion matters.
Key Points to Include:
- How long you worked together.
- The roles you both held.
- Specific projects or initiatives you collaborated on.
Example:
“I worked closely with Michael for three years at XYZ Corporation, where we collaborated on several high-profile product launches. As the lead engineer, Michael was responsible for overseeing the technical development, while I managed the project timelines.”
3. Highlight Specific Skills and Contributions
This is the most important part of the recommendation. Focus on your colleague’s key skills, work ethic, and notable accomplishments. Instead of making vague statements like “They are great at their job,” offer specific examples that illustrate their strengths and impact.
Examples of Skills to Highlight:
- Leadership abilities.
- Problem-solving skills.
- Technical expertise.
- Communication and collaboration.
- Creativity and innovation.
Use Specific Examples:
Rather than just stating that your colleague “is a great leader,” describe a time they demonstrated their leadership. For example, you could say:
“During a critical project deadline, Jennifer took the lead in coordinating efforts across multiple teams, ensuring that we delivered on time and exceeded client expectations. Her ability to motivate the team and manage competing priorities was remarkable.”
4. Include Personal Qualities
In addition to professional skills, mention their personal qualities and how they contribute to the work environment. This can include qualities like being a team player, having a positive attitude, or being adaptable in high-pressure situations. Employers and recruiters appreciate knowing how a candidate fits into team dynamics beyond technical skills.
Examples of Personal Qualities:
- “Alex’s positivity and enthusiasm were contagious, making him a pleasure to work with even during challenging projects.”
- “Jessica is not only technically proficient but also a fantastic mentor who takes the time to support her team members.”
- “Mark’s patience and problem-solving skills helped our team overcome several roadblocks.”
5. Describe Their Impact and Achievements
Incorporate measurable outcomes or specific accomplishments to add credibility to your recommendation. This can be anything from helping increase sales, improving team efficiency, or spearheading a successful project. Quantifying their contributions can make the recommendation even more compelling.
Examples of Impact:
- “As a sales manager, Emily consistently exceeded her quarterly targets, driving a 20% increase in revenue for our department.”
- “Thanks to Richard’s innovative marketing strategies, we saw a 30% increase in customer engagement over six months.”
- “Melissa’s attention to detail ensured that every project she handled was completed with 100% accuracy and on time, leading to increased client satisfaction.”
6. End with a Strong Recommendation Statement
Wrap up your recommendation by reinforcing your endorsement. Use a strong, definitive statement about why this person would be a valuable asset to any organization or team. You want to leave the reader with no doubt about the colleague’s qualifications.
Examples of Closing Statements:
- “I wholeheartedly recommend David for any leadership role; his ability to bring out the best in his team is unmatched.”
- “Any company would be lucky to have Laura. She consistently delivers high-quality work and fosters a collaborative and supportive team environment.”
- “If you’re looking for a results-driven professional with outstanding communication skills, look no further than Michelle.”
7. Keep It Concise and Focused
While it’s important to be detailed and specific, keep your recommendation concise. Aim for a paragraph or two that is easy to read while still packing a punch. LinkedIn recommendations don’t have to be lengthy to be effective.
A well-structured recommendation can be anywhere from 100 to 300 words, depending on how much you want to share.
Example of a LinkedIn Recommendation for a Colleague
Here’s a full example that follows the steps above:
“I’ve had the pleasure of working with Sarah for the past two years at ABC Marketing Agency, where she consistently demonstrated outstanding leadership and creativity as a Senior Content Strategist.
Sarah led our team through several complex projects, from revamping our client’s brand messaging to launching successful digital campaigns. She not only excelled at developing innovative content strategies, but also at fostering collaboration across departments, ensuring that every project was completed on time and exceeded client expectations.
One of Sarah’s standout contributions was spearheading a content initiative that increased our client’s website traffic by 40% in just six months. Her ability to analyze data and adjust strategies accordingly was instrumental in achieving these results.
Beyond her technical skills, Sarah is an incredible team player. Her positive attitude and willingness to mentor junior team members made her a valued leader within the company. She always approached challenges with optimism and was a steady source of motivation for the rest of us.
I highly recommend Sarah for any content leadership or strategic marketing roles. Her expertise, work ethic, and positive demeanor make her a true asset to any team.”**
Best Practices for Writing LinkedIn Recommendations
1. Be Authentic
Avoid using generic, overused phrases. Write in your own voice, and focus on being sincere and specific about your colleague’s strengths.
2. Be Honest
Only endorse skills or traits that you have personally observed. Authenticity is crucial for the recommendation to be meaningful.
3. Tailor the Recommendation
Consider the colleague’s career goals or the types of roles they’re applying for, and tailor your recommendation to highlight the skills and experiences that are most relevant.
4. Proofread Before Posting
Even though LinkedIn recommendations aren’t formal documents, you should still ensure they are free from grammatical errors and typos. A well-written recommendation reflects well on both you and your colleague.
Conclusion
Crafting a strong LinkedIn recommendation is not just about highlighting your colleague’s skills but also about helping them shine in a professional context. By using specific examples, focusing on their impact, and being genuine, you can write a compelling recommendation that supports their career and strengthens your professional relationship. A thoughtfully written recommendation can make a lasting difference in how they are perceived by recruiters, employers, and others in their network.