What are LinkedIn recommendations?

LinkedIn recommendations are personalized, written testimonials—think mini‑reference letters—from your professional connections. They’re different from endorsements (that one‑click praise); instead, they describe what it was like working with you, highlight your contributions, and offer real credibility to your profile.

Why do LinkedIn recommendations matter?

Recommendations act like social proof—showing employers or clients that real people vouch for your skills and experience. Unlike quick skills endorsements, recommendations require effort. That means they’re taken more seriously, boosting trust and visibility on your profile. Recruiters often value them when screening candidates.

How do you request or give one?

Here’s the usual process:

  1. You can request a recommendation from someone you’re connected with—typically a 1st‑degree connection you’ve worked with.
  2. LinkedIn walks you through picking relationship details (e.g. “colleague,” “manager”).
  3. Write a friendly, personalized note asking them to highlight specific strengths or projects.
  4. When someone writes you one, you can accept, dismiss, or ask for a revision before it appears on your profile.
  5. You can also give recommendations to others—and doing so shows goodwill and may inspire them to recommend you back.

What makes a recommendation effective?

A strong recommendation:

  • Mentions who you are and how the recommender knows you.
  • Cites specific examples of your work, impact or skills.
  • Shows real insight, not just generic praise.

Simple lines like “Jane led our cross‑functional launch on time and exceeded targets” are far more powerful than vague statements. Recruiting experts say a well‑written recommendation adds real weight to your profile—and builds trust quickly.

Do LinkedIn recommendations help job seekers?

Yes! Positive effects include:

  • Boosted profile visibility—profiles with recommendations are more likely to appear in recruiter searches
  • Greater trust in hiring—recruiters tend to view candidates with detailed recommendations as more credible and qualified.
  • Faster decision‑making—some surveys show organizations reduce hiring time by nearly 20 % when using recommendation information.

Who should you ask or write recommendations for?

Think about:

  • People who’ve seen your work closely—managers, project leads, colleagues.
  • Clients or external partners who can describe your professionalism.
  • Former or current connections you’d like to support—and who might reciprocate.

Avoid generic or outdated recommendations. Positivity from someone respected in your field carries more weight than numerous short, unhelpful ones.

Tips & Best Practices ✅

  • Be strategic: Ask for recommendations after completing a meaningful project or milestone.
  • Make it easy: Suggest focus points—what you’d like them to mention.
  • Reciprocate: Write thoughtful recommendations for others—it strengthens professional bonds and signals good networking etiquette.
  • Keep it fresh: Accept current recommendations rather than piling them on all at once. Two or three recent ones are better than many old ones.
  • Review them: You choose which recommendations appear on your profile—you can hide ones that no longer reflect your story.

In summary

LinkedIn recommendations bring real, written endorsements to your professional profile. They add credibility, boost your search visibility, and make your experience stand out in a meaningful way. Think of them as mutual professional support—received thoughtfully, given generously. Want to shine? Show that others believe in your impact.