Why is a LinkedIn recommendation important?
A LinkedIn recommendation can be very valuable for your career. Having recommendations on your LinkedIn profile from managers and colleagues demonstrates that others appreciate your skills and work ethic. Recommendations serve as validation for future employers that you are a strong candidate worth hiring. In addition, recommendations make your profile stand out and give you an edge over other applicants who may not have any endorsements.
Some key benefits of having recommendations on your LinkedIn profile include:
- Adds credibility – Recommendations back up the claims you make about your skills and experience on your profile.
- Increases discoverability – Recommendations make you more likely to come up in LinkedIn searches by recruiters.
- Shows you are endorsed – Recommendations indicate colleagues and managers are willing to publicly support you.
- Demonstrates soft skills – Recommendations highlight soft skills like work ethic, teamwork, and leadership.
- Improves recruiter perception – Recommendations make recruiters more likely to reach out to you about job opportunities.
In summary, recommendations help you put your best professional image forward and can give you an advantage over other candidates. Even just one or two meaningful recommendations from managers can make a big difference.
How to ask your manager for a recommendation
Here are some tips on how to politely and professionally ask your manager to write you a recommendation on LinkedIn:
1. Time it right
Consider the best timing to approach your manager. It’s usually best to ask when things are relatively calm and your manager is not too overwhelmed or busy. Avoid asking right when a big deadline is approaching or during your manager’s busiest season.
2. Choose the right medium
Asking over email can be impersonal. If possible, ask your manager face-to-face when you both have time to chat. If asking in-person isn’t possible, a phone or video call is the next best option.
3. Make the ask straightforward
When asking, be direct about what you want but also polite and grateful. Here is an example ask:
“Hi [manager’s name], I wanted to ask if you would be willing to write a LinkedIn recommendation for me? I would really appreciate it.”
Get right to the point instead of beating around the bush.
4. Specify why you are asking them
Let your manager know why you value their endorsement specifically. For example:
“I feel you really understand the work I’ve done over the past [time period] on [projects]. I would love if you could highlight some of my skills and accomplishments in a recommendation.”
This shows this recommendation is important to you.
5. Mention why it’s valuable
Tactfully explain why a recommendation is useful for your career advancement. For example:
“Having recommendations on my profile will help me stand out when recruiters view my LinkedIn. Yours in particular would carry a lot of weight since you have been my manager.”
This frames the ask as career development instead of just a favor.
6. Offer to make it easy
Let your manager know you can provide suggestions or a draft to make the process simple for them. For example:
“If helpful, I can put together a draft with some highlights from my time here and accomplishments you’re familiar with.”
Take the workload off their plate as much as possible.
7. Accept either outcome gracefully
Your manager may need time to think about it or feel they don’t know your work well enough yet to endorse you. If they decline, stay gracious. Say something like:
“I understand. Perhaps we could revisit this once I’ve worked here a bit longer. Either way, thank you for considering it.”
This preserves your positive relationship.
8. Follow up appropriately
It’s fine to follow up if your manager doesn’t get back to you right away. Wait at least 2 weeks before checking in again. Then send a friendly reminder like:
“Hi [name], I just wanted to follow up about the LinkedIn recommendation. No pressure at all, just let me know if you need any more information from me.”
Avoid pestering them if they seem reluctant. Ultimately you have to accept their choice.
What to include in your request
When you ask your manager for a recommendation, consider offering some suggestions or content to include. This takes pressure off your manager to come up with ideas.
Some items to cover:
- How long you have reported to them/worked together
- Your job title and core responsibilities
- Projects, accomplishments, or wins you have been part of
- The skills and strengths you demonstrated (examples are great)
- Any positive feedback you have received
- Ways you added value to the team or company
You can present the suggestions in a draft recommendation, an email or verbal discussion, or a LinkedIn message outlining ideas. This gives your manager content to draw from when writing their own words.
It’s also fine for your manager to ask you to draft the full recommendation. If so, write it in the voice they would use, focusing on tangible examples. Have your manager review the draft and make any edits before finalizing.
How to write your own recommendation
If your manager agrees to provide a recommendation but asks you to draft it entirely, here are some tips:
Use your manager’s voice
Aim to write the recommendation how your manager would speak. Use language and tone that reflects them. Avoid over-the-top praise they wouldn’t naturally give.
Focus on facts
Back up any praise with evidence of your achievements. Use metrics, project results, and real examples wherever possible. This gives the endorsement credibility.
Highlight soft skills
Don’t forget to mention skills like communication, teamwork, attitude, and adaptability. Recommendations shouldn’t just be about hard skills.
Keep it relatively short
A few concise, well-written paragraphs are better than a wordy essay. Recruiters skim recommendations, so be selective.
Ask your manager to edit
Offer to revise drafts based on your manager’s changes. Don’t assume your version is finalized until they review it and give input first.
What to Include | Example Sentences |
---|---|
Length of working relationship | “I have had the pleasure of managing [name] for the past [time period].” |
Job duties and responsibilities | “As a [title], [name] was responsible for…” |
Key projects | “[Name] successfully led our [project name] initiative by…” |
Skills and strengths | “[Name] is an incredibly skilled [copywriter] with strengths in [content strategy].” |
Positive feedback/praise | “The work [name] produced was always top quality.” |
Value added | “[Name’s] positive attitude and initiative consistently made the team better.” |
This table contains examples of key elements to incorporate when drafting your own recommendation, with sample sentences your manager could use.
Thank your manager
Once finalized, thank your manager graciously for taking the time to write you a recommendation. Having their endorsement on your profile is an asset as you progress in your career.
Mistakes to avoid when asking for a recommendation
When requesting a LinkedIn recommendation from your manager, be careful to avoid these common missteps:
Not asking politely
Demanding a recommendation or implying your manager is obligated to write one will not go over well. Always make the request graciously.
Poor timing
Avoid asking when your manager is too stressed or busy to focus on writing you a thoughtful recommendation. Pay attention to their workload.
Being too pushy
If your manager indicates reluctance or needs time to think about it, don’t keep pressuring them. Let it go graciously.
Soliciting generic praise
Asking for an endorsement loaded with over-the-top praise that isn’t backed up by examples may lack credibility.
Drafting it yourself without permission
Only write a draft recommendation if your manager explicitly asks you to. Don’t overstep boundaries.
Not following up appropriately
It’s fine to follow up if some time has passed, but don’t pester your manager constantly if they haven’t gotten to it.
Handling “no” poorly
If your manager declines, don’t take it personally or get upset. Thank them for considering it and move forward positively.
Being thoughtful about your approach and gracious if the answer is “no” will leave a good impression on your manager.
Who else you can ask for recommendations
If your direct manager says no to writing you a LinkedIn recommendation, consider asking:
- Your secondary manager or matrix manager if you report to more than one person
- Recent managers you previously worked closely with
- Senior colleagues at manager level or up
- Clients, vendors, or partners you work closely with
- Mentors or sponsors you have at the company
- Former managers at previous employers (if you left on good terms)
The key is to approach people who have directly overseen your work and can speak in detail about your strengths and accomplishments. Avoid asking distant colleagues who don’t know your work well for recommendations.
Tips for getting great recommendations
Beyond simply asking, you can boost your chances of getting stellar LinkedIn recommendations by:
- Consistently doing great work and impressing your manager
- Having regular check-ins to get positive feedback directly from your manager
- Thanking your manager when they provide praise or recognition
- Remaining gracious and professional at all times – no matter the situation
- Giving recommendations freely to colleagues to build a culture of endorsements
- Offering to return the favor if they write you a recommendation
- Following up politely if needed, but avoiding being overly pushy
The stronger your performance and relationship are with your manager, the more likely they will be happy to write you a glowing recommendation. Demonstrating patience and maturity will also be in your favor.
Conclusion
Asking your manager for a LinkedIn recommendation has many benefits, but should be approached thoughtfully. Considering their needs, framing the ask as career development, and offering content suggestions or help drafting can increase the chances your manager says yes. However, handling a “no” gracefully preserves your relationship if they decline. With patience and the right approach, a recommendation from your manager can pay dividends for your professional reputation and future job search efforts.