How to Post a Recommendation on LinkedIn: A Comprehensive Guide

So, you want to sing the praises of a colleague, mentor, or employee on LinkedIn? Excellent! A well-crafted recommendation is a powerful tool for professional networking and building relationships. It’s about more than just saying nice things; it’s about showcasing someone’s skills and abilities to the world. Here’s exactly how you do it:

To post a recommendation on LinkedIn, you essentially have two paths: requesting a recommendation or giving one. You can’t “post” one until you have “given” one.

Here’s the definitive process for giving a recommendation:

1. Navigate to the Profile: Go to the LinkedIn profile of the person you wish to recommend. This is the first and most crucial step.
2. Locate the “More” Button: On their profile, look for the “More” button, typically located near their contact information and headline, right below their profile picture.
3. Select “Recommend”: Click the “More” button. A dropdown menu will appear. Choose the “Recommend” option. This initiates the recommendation process.
4. Relationship Confirmation: LinkedIn will ask you to confirm your relationship with the person. Select the relevant option from the dropdown menu (e.g., “Worked with directly,” “Managed directly,” “Reported to,” “Client,” “Student”). Be accurate, as this adds context to your recommendation.
5. Position at the Time: You will be asked to select the specific position you held when you interacted with the person. This helps ground the recommendation in a specific period and context. If you worked with them in multiple roles, choose the one most relevant to the qualities you plan to highlight.
6. Craft Your Recommendation: A text box will appear. This is where the magic happens! Write your recommendation. Be specific, authentic, and focus on quantifiable achievements and skills. Avoid generic statements. Highlight specific projects, abilities, and contributions.
7. Review and Edit: Before submitting, carefully review your recommendation for any grammatical errors or typos. Ensure it accurately reflects your thoughts and feelings.
8. Send/Submit: Once you are satisfied, click the “Send” button. Your recommendation will then be sent to the person for their approval. They have the option to accept it (at which point it becomes visible on their profile) or request revisions.

That’s it! You’ve successfully submitted a recommendation. Now, let’s dig deeper into the nuances of writing a compelling recommendation and address some common questions.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How long should a LinkedIn recommendation be?

Aim for a recommendation that is between 2-4 paragraphs in length (around 150-300 words). Short, generic recommendations are easily overlooked. Longer recommendations demonstrate you took the time and care to thoughtfully write about the person. The ideal length allows you to provide specific examples without overwhelming the reader.

What should I include in a LinkedIn recommendation?

A great recommendation should include:

• Context: Briefly mention the context of your relationship (e.g., “I worked with Sarah on the Acme Project…”).
• Specific Skills and Abilities: Highlight 2-3 key skills or abilities that the person excels at. Provide concrete examples of how they demonstrated these skills.
• Quantifiable Results: Whenever possible, quantify the impact of their work (e.g., “Their marketing campaign increased sales by 15%”).
• Personal Qualities: Mention positive personality traits that made them a pleasure to work with (e.g., “Their positive attitude and problem-solving skills were invaluable”).
• Overall Impression: End with a strong statement summarizing your overall impression of the person.

What should I avoid in a LinkedIn recommendation?

Steer clear of:

• Generic Statements: Avoid clichés like “hard worker” or “team player” without providing specific examples.
• Grammatical Errors: Proofread carefully!
• Inside Jokes: Keep the recommendation professional and relevant to a broad audience.
• Exaggerations or Falsehoods: Honesty is crucial.
• Information You’re Not Authorized to Share: Don’t disclose confidential company information.

How do I request a recommendation on LinkedIn?

Requesting a recommendation is slightly different. Here’s how:

1. Go to Your Profile: Navigate to your own LinkedIn profile.
2. Scroll to the “Recommendations” Section: Scroll down to the “Recommendations” section. If you don’t see it, you might need to add it as a section to your profile.
3. Click “Ask for a Recommendation”: In the “Recommendations” section, you’ll find an option to “Ask for a recommendation.”
4. Select Connection: Choose the connection you want to request a recommendation from.
5. Relationship and Position: Specify your relationship to the person and the position you held at the time.
6. Personalize Your Message: This is crucial! Don’t just use the default message. Explain why you’re requesting a recommendation from them and what specific skills or experiences you’d like them to highlight.
7. Send the Request: Review your message and click “Send.”

What should I say in a recommendation request message?

A personalized recommendation request should:

• Be Polite and Professional: Start with a friendly greeting.
• Explain Why You’re Asking: Clearly state why you’re requesting a recommendation from them.
• Suggest Specific Skills or Experiences: Provide context and guide them by suggesting specific skills, projects, or experiences you’d like them to focus on. This makes it easier for them and ensures the recommendation is relevant.
• Offer Assistance: Offer to reciprocate by writing a recommendation for them in return.
• Express Gratitude: Thank them for their time and consideration.

Example: “Hi [Name], I hope this message finds you well. I’m reaching out because I’m updating my LinkedIn profile and would be grateful if you could write a recommendation for me. I particularly valued your mentorship during my time working on the [Project Name] project, and I believe your insights into my leadership and communication skills would be incredibly valuable. I’d be happy to return the favor and write a recommendation for you as well. Thank you for your time and consideration!”

What if I don’t feel comfortable writing a recommendation?

It’s perfectly acceptable to decline a recommendation request. Just be polite and professional. You could say something like: “Thank you for thinking of me. While I appreciate the request, I don’t feel I can provide a detailed and accurate recommendation at this time.”

Can I edit a LinkedIn recommendation after it’s been posted?

Yes, both you and the person who wrote the recommendation can edit it. The author can edit the recommendation directly on their profile. The recipient can request revisions from the author. The author receives a notification to make these revisions.

How do I remove a LinkedIn recommendation from my profile?

You can easily remove a recommendation from your profile. Go to the “Recommendations” section, find the recommendation you want to remove, and click the pencil icon to edit it. Then, you’ll see an option to “Hide from Profile” or “Remove.” Hiding it keeps it accessible to you but removes it from public view. Removing it completely deletes the recommendation.

Can I endorse someone instead of writing a recommendation?

Endorsements are different from recommendations. Endorsements are quick, one-click acknowledgements of specific skills. Recommendations are detailed, written testimonials. While endorsements are helpful, a well-written recommendation carries significantly more weight. Consider doing both – endorse their skills and write a recommendation to provide a truly powerful testament to their abilities.

How often should I write recommendations?

There’s no magic number. Write recommendations when you genuinely feel you can provide valuable and insightful feedback about someone’s skills and contributions. Quality over quantity is key.

Does LinkedIn notify the person when I write a recommendation for them?

Yes, LinkedIn will notify the person that you have submitted a recommendation. They will then have the opportunity to review it and either accept it (making it visible on their profile) or request revisions.

What are the benefits of writing LinkedIn recommendations?

Writing thoughtful recommendations offers several benefits:

• Strengthens Relationships: It shows you value the person and their work.
• Enhances Your Own Profile: It demonstrates your ability to recognize and articulate talent, making you appear more professional and insightful.
• Expands Your Network: It can lead to reciprocal recommendations and new connections.
• Builds Your Personal Brand: It positions you as a generous and supportive member of your professional community.

By following these guidelines, you can effectively post recommendations on LinkedIn, build strong professional relationships, and enhance your own brand in the process. Remember, a well-crafted recommendation is a powerful tool that benefits both the giver and the receiver.