LinkedIn recommendations are powerful tools for enhancing your professional credibility. They provide potential employers, clients, and colleagues with insights into your skills, work ethic, and accomplishments from the perspective of others. Requesting a recommendation is a straightforward process, but crafting a thoughtful request can significantly increase your chances of receiving a compelling endorsement. This guide will walk you through the steps of sending a recommendation request on LinkedIn and offer tips for making your request more effective.
Why Request a Recommendation?
Before diving into the process, it’s essential to understand the benefits of LinkedIn recommendations:
- Boost Your Credibility: Recommendations act as testimonials to your skills and work ethic, boosting your profile’s credibility.
- Stand Out to Employers: A well-written recommendation can make your profile stand out to potential employers and recruiters.
- Showcase Your Relationships: Recommendations highlight the positive professional relationships you’ve built with colleagues, supervisors, and clients.
Step-by-Step Guide to Sending a Recommendation Request
Step 1: Log In to LinkedIn
- Log In: Open LinkedIn in your browser or app and log in to your account.
Step 2: Go to the Profile of the Person You Want to Request a Recommendation From
- Search for the Profile: Use the search bar at the top of the page to find the profile of the person from whom you want to request a recommendation.
- Navigate to the Profile: Click on their name to access their profile page.
Step 3: Request a Recommendation
- Click on the “More” Button: On the profile page of the person you want to request a recommendation from, locate the “More” button (three dots) typically found below their profile picture or next to the “Connect” button.
- Select “Request a Recommendation”: From the dropdown menu, click on “Request a Recommendation.”
Step 4: Fill Out the Recommendation Request Form
- Specify the Relationship: In the request form, you’ll need to specify your relationship with the person you’re requesting the recommendation from. Select the appropriate options from the dropdown menus that best describe how you know each other and in what capacity you worked together.
- Detail the Position: If relevant, specify the job title or role you had while working with them. This helps provide context for the recommendation.
Step 5: Craft Your Message
- Personalize Your Request: Write a personalized message explaining why you are requesting a recommendation. Be specific about what you would like the recommendation to highlight (e.g., a particular project, skill, or accomplishment). A well-crafted message increases the likelihood of receiving a thoughtful recommendation. Example Message:
Hi [Name],
I hope you’re doing well! I’m reaching out to ask if you would be willing to write a recommendation for me on LinkedIn. We worked closely together on [project/task] at [company], and I believe your insights would be incredibly valuable in showcasing my skills and contributions.
If you’re able to, it would be great if you could highlight [specific skills/accomplishments]. I really appreciate your support and look forward to hearing from you!
Best regards,
[Your Name]- Be Clear and Concise: Ensure your message is clear and to the point. Avoid overwhelming the person with too many details.
Step 6: Send the Request
- Review and Send: Once you’ve completed the message, review it for clarity and accuracy. Click on “Send” to submit your recommendation request.
Tips for Crafting an Effective Recommendation Request
Be Specific
- Highlight Key Achievements: Clearly state what specific achievements or skills you’d like the recommendation to cover. This helps the recommender focus on relevant aspects of your performance.
Be Courteous and Professional
- Express Gratitude: Always thank the person for considering your request. Showing appreciation enhances your professional relationship and makes the request more personable.
Follow Up
- Send a Reminder: If you don’t receive a response within a reasonable time frame, consider sending a polite follow-up message. Reiterate your appreciation and gently remind them of your request. Example Follow-Up Message:
Hi [Name],
I hope you’re doing well. I just wanted to follow up on my previous request for a LinkedIn recommendation. If you have the time, I would greatly appreciate your support. Please let me know if you need any additional information from me.
Thank you again for considering this!
Best,
[Your Name]Offer to Write the Recommendation First
- Reciprocal Recommendations: If you feel it’s appropriate, offer to write a recommendation for them in return. This shows reciprocity and can make them more inclined to assist you.
Choose the Right Recommenders
- Select Wisely: Choose recommenders who can provide specific, positive, and relevant feedback about your work. These might include supervisors, colleagues, clients, or mentors who have closely observed your performance.
How to Manage and Showcase Recommendations on LinkedIn
Managing Recommendations
- View Recommendations: Go to your LinkedIn profile and scroll down to the “Recommendations” section. Here, you can view all the recommendations you’ve received.
- Thank Recommenders: Acknowledge and thank those who have written recommendations for you. A personal thank-you message or public acknowledgment can be a nice gesture.
- Hide or Remove Recommendations: If necessary, you can hide or remove recommendations from this section. This option is available under the “Manage Recommendations” settings on your profile.
Showcasing Recommendations
- Highlight Key Recommendations: Ensure that the most impactful recommendations are visible on your profile. They should be displayed prominently to attract attention from viewers.
- Use Recommendations in Job Applications: Highlight key recommendations in your job applications or portfolio to support your claims and provide evidence of your skills and achievements.
Conclusion
Sending a recommendation request on LinkedIn is a straightforward process that can significantly enhance your professional profile. By crafting a personalized and specific request, you can encourage former colleagues, supervisors, or clients to provide valuable endorsements that highlight your skills and achievements. Remember to approach your request with professionalism and gratitude, and maintain your recommendations to showcase your strengths effectively.
By leveraging LinkedIn’s recommendation feature, you can build a stronger professional network and enhance your career prospects with powerful testimonials that validate your expertise and contributions.