The Best Ways to Get Great Recommendations on LinkedIn!!!

Employers are using LinkedIn more to research candidates for employment. In some cases, even before you are selected for an interview, a recruiter or hiring manager will check you out on LinkedIn to see what you've accomplished, who you are connected to, and who is recommending you. That means recommendations are a vital component of an effective LinkedIn profile.

When someone views your LinkedIn profile, they will see an online version of your resume, complete with references, if you have recommendations in your profile.

Recommendations from supervisors, clients, and colleagues affirming your skills, accomplishments and positive work style will not only enhance your profile, but they will also show a recruiter or hiring manager, at a glance, glowing references that attest to your candidacy for employment.

Here's advice on how to get LinkedIn recommendations, who to ask for references, and how to manage the recommendations you've received.

Tips for Getting Great LinkedIn Recommendations

Do take the time to request recommendations from your LinkedIn connections. Recommendations from people you have worked with carries a lot of weight. To a potential employer, a LinkedIn recommendation is an employment reference in advance and can help you secure an interview.

Tips for Getting the Best References

It can take a bit of time and preparation to gather a list of strong references. Here are some steps you can take to make sure you select references who will give you glowing reviews:

• Ask the Right People - Former bosses, co-workers, clients, and colleagues all make good professional references. If you are just starting out in the workforce or if you haven't worked in a while, you can use a character or personal reference from people who know your skills and attributes. These might include friends, neighbors, people you’ve volunteered with, and more. Most importantly, only ask people who you know will give you a positive reference as well as are reliable. You want to know your references will respond to employers on time.
• Be Aware of Company Referral Policies - Some employers will not provide references. Due to concerns about lawsuit, they might only provide your job title, dates of employment, and salary history. If that's the case, be creative and try to find alternative reference writers who are willing to speak to your qualifications.
• Ask Ahead of Time - It’s important to ask someone ahead of time if they are willing to be a reference. Try to ask as soon as you begin your job search (if not earlier). This way, you can have a list of references ready for an employer. The best way to ask for a reference is to say, “Do you feel you know my work well enough to serve as a reference?” or “Do you feel comfortable providing me with a good reference?” This will ensure that the only people who say “yes” to you will be those who will write you a positive reference.
• Provide the Necessary Information - When someone agrees to be a reference, give him or her all the information they might need to give you a positive reference. Provide them with an updated resume. Tell them what kinds of jobs you are looking at, so they know what skills and experiences of yours they should highlight. If you need a letter of reference for a particular job, tell your reference all the necessary information about where to submit the letter, and when the deadline is.
• Make Your Reference List - Once you have your references, create a list of those references. The list of references should not be included in your resume. Rather, create a separate reference list. Have it ready to give to employers when you interview. Include three or four references, along with their job titles, employers, and contact information. Once you've made your reference list, check it twice.
• Have Some Recommendation Letters Available - Many employers won't be interested in written reference letters. They will either want to speak to your references on the phone or via email. However, it is still a good idea to have some letters of reference available for the employers that do want them. If you are graduating from school or leaving a job (as long as you are leaving on a positive note), you can ask your employer for a letter of reference. This way, he or she can write the letter while your work is still fresh in his or her mind.
• Request a Reference When You Change Jobs - Even if you don’t ask for a written letter, you should ask for a reference every time you change employment. Before you leave, ask your supervisor (and perhaps one or two co-workers) if he or she will serve as a reference for you in the near future. That way, you can create a list of references from people you may not necessarily be able to track down years later.
• Maintain Your Reference Network - Maintain your reference network with periodic phone calls, emails, or notes to get and give updates. This is an important way to keep them updated on your life (and your job search). If you are fresh in their minds, they will be more likely to give you more specific, and more positive, recommendations.
• Keep Your References up to Date (And Thank Them) - Let your references know where your job search stands. Tell them who might be calling them for a reference. When you get a new job, don't forget to send a thank you note to those who provided you with a reference. Even if you don't get hired right away, take the time to follow up with your references. They'll appreciate being informed of your status.

Who Should You Ask?

A LinkedIn recommendation is a testimony of your professional value written by one of your first-degree connections. So, you will want recommendations that are powerful, weighty, and authentic. So here is how to receive them:

• Be connected with a current or former manager, colleague, client, or other contacts.
• Design a request to him or her, including a few accomplishments of which you are most proud of.

The Best Ways to Make a Request

The best way to get recommendations on LinkedIn is to give them. When you recommend a LinkedIn member, you are attesting to their qualifications -- and people love being recommended. They will probably reciprocate if you take the time to help them out.

A first step is to search LinkedIn for staff at your firm, clients, and other professional contacts who are registered with LinkedIn. Don't overlook colleagues at professional organizations with whom you have collaborated. Consider volunteer work, freelance jobs, and other non-employee work experience.

Give to Get

Next, consider writing a recommendation for any contacts who also might be in a position to write for you (as long as you view them favorably).

Doing this service for them will help generate a sense of obligation that they should reciprocate. Once you have completed their recommendation, let them know why you've written for them (because of the specifics underlying your positive view of their work) and ask if they might consider writing a recommendation for you.

Ask Directly

Or, you can directly ask for a recommendation. It's easy to request a recommendation via LinkedIn's messaging system. When you request a recommendation, ask the person to recommend you if they can and if they have the time. This way they have an out if they aren't interested in giving you a reference, are excluded by company policy from giving references or don't feel they know you well enough to recommend your work.

It can be helpful to include with any request a reminder of the shared experience which might serve as a basis for their recommendation. For example: "I thought you might be kind enough to write a LinkedIn recommendation for me given our successful collaboration on the ABC proposal."

Email Template to Request a LinkedIn Recommendation

To request a LinkedIn recommendation over email, use the following template:

If You’re Asking Someone You Currently Work With…

Hi [Name],

I hope you’re having a great week!

I want to let you know how much I enjoy working with you, as well as how much I value your insights and feedback. I’ve especially enjoyed collaborating with you on [project you worked on together].

I have a small request for you. I aim to keep my LinkedIn profile updated to provide an accurate picture of my skills and experiences. With that in mind, I’d love if you could write me a LinkedIn recommendation that highlights my skills in [area] and [area].

I’d be happy to write you a recommendation in return. Just let me know if there’s something specific you’d like me to call attention to.

Would you feel comfortable writing a recommendation of this kind for me? Of course, no pressure either way.

All the best,

[Your Name]

If You’re Asking Someone You Used to Work With…

Hi [Name],

I hope all is well with you! [Some small talk or friendly question.]

I’m touching base to make a small request of you. I’m currently [job searching/looking to move on from my current role as X into Y] and want to keep my LinkedIn profile updated for recruiters.

I really enjoyed working with you at [Company], and I especially appreciate [feedback/advice/experience you got from them]. As a result, I thought you’d be a great fit to write me a short LinkedIn recommendation highlighting my skills in [area] and [area]. If you’re willing, I’m happy to send over additional information to make writing one easier for you.

Also, I’m more than happy to return the favor and write you a recommendation. Just let me know if there’s something specific you’d like me to emphasize.

Would you feel comfortable writing a recommendation of this kind for me? Of course, no pressure either way.

Let’s catch up soon!

[Your Name]

How to Make a Request?

• Click on your connection’s Profile.
• Click “More” and select “Request a Recommendation.” (Or scroll down to Recommendations and click “Ask to Be Recommended.”)
• Personalize your request by following the questions provided, and then add a customized message. Note: the form will provide you with a canned script: “Hi [connection], can you write me a recommendation?” Always delete this message and provide your own. The more personalized you can make your request, the better. Reference common projects and experiences and remind them of your connection and why they might want to recommend you. Better yet, offer to write them a recommendation first.

If someone has already written a recommendation for you outside of LinkedIn, you can forward a copy of their document and ask if they might be kind enough to upload one online as part of LinkedIn.

How to Manage LinkedIn Recommendations?

You'll be able to manage recommendations you’ve received and ask colleagues, clients, managers, employees, and others who can recommend your work for a reference.

When you receive a recommendation, you'll get notified via email and you'll be able to view the recommendation and request a revision, if necessary. If for some reason you don't want the recommendation on your profile, you don't have to publish it.

Important: One important note -- don't ask people you don't know for recommendations!

LinkedIn endorsements may be all the rage these days, but it’s the recommendations that can set you apart from competitors and help your career in more ways than one. Add a few to your profile and see what they do for you.

What are your thoughts regarding this?