In a competitive job market, LinkedIn recommendations are a powerful way to stand out. They provide hiring managers with a deeper understanding of your skills, work ethic, and achievements – beyond what a resume can show. Writing an effective recommendation involves more than generic praise; it’s about being specific, structured, and authentic.
Here’s a quick guide to crafting recommendations that leave an impression:
- Start Strong: Open with a compelling statement highlighting the person’s key impact.
- Provide Context: Explain your professional relationship and how long you’ve worked together.
- Be Specific: Use concrete examples, metrics, and results to showcase their skills and contributions.
- Balance Skills: Highlight both technical expertise and interpersonal strengths.
- Look Ahead: Mention their potential for future success.
How to write a powerful LinkedIn recommendation, including examples
Key Parts of an Effective LinkedIn Recommendation
Crafting a standout LinkedIn recommendation takes more than simply stating that someone is "great to work with." The best recommendations follow a structured approach, blending credibility with specific details to create a narrative that truly resonates with readers.
Start with a Strong Opening
The opening line is crucial – it sets the tone for the entire recommendation. Generic phrases like "John is a great colleague" won’t grab attention. Instead, kick things off with a statement that immediately highlights the recipient’s impact.
For example, instead of saying, "Jane is a talented marketer", try: "Jane’s innovative marketing strategies consistently drove double-digit growth for our campaigns." This kind of opening not only captures attention but also sets the stage for a compelling recommendation[1][2].
After your opening, establish context by explaining your professional relationship with the person.
Explain Your Working Relationship
Clarify how you know the individual and the capacity in which you worked with them. Were you their manager, colleague, or client? How long did you work together? This context builds credibility and helps readers understand the perspective behind your praise.
Highlight Specific Skills and Results
Move beyond vague compliments and focus on specific achievements. What measurable results did this person deliver? How did their skills contribute to success? For example, instead of saying, "They are results-driven", explain what those results were and how they were achieved.
Tailor your examples to align with the recipient’s career goals. If they’re pursuing opportunities in digital marketing, mention campaign performance metrics, audience growth, or conversion rates. If they’re in project management, discuss how they consistently delivered projects on time and within budget.
The key is to connect their skills to tangible outcomes. Rather than listing abilities, show how those abilities created value for your team or organization.
Include Both Technical and People Skills
A well-rounded recommendation highlights both technical expertise and interpersonal strengths. Technical skills – like proficiency in specific tools, methodologies, or industry practices – show their competence. But people skills often make the difference in long-term success.
Can they explain complex ideas in simple terms? Are they dependable under pressure? Do they navigate conflicts effectively? Including examples of both types of skills provides a fuller picture of their professional capabilities.
To make the recommendation even more impactful, sprinkle in industry-relevant keywords like "digital marketing", "AI-powered tools", or "project management." This not only aligns with LinkedIn’s search algorithms but also speaks directly to recruiters and peers[3][4].
Write About Future Potential
The most memorable recommendations don’t just focus on past achievements – they also highlight potential for future success. This helps hiring managers envision how the person might contribute to their organization.
Think about the growth you’ve observed in their career. Have they consistently taken on bigger challenges? Are they proactive about staying ahead of trends in their field? Do they spot opportunities that others overlook?
Be specific when discussing their potential. Instead of saying, "I know they’ll do great things", say something like, "Given their track record of revitalizing underperforming accounts, they have a unique ability to turn challenges into opportunities for growth." This forward-looking perspective not only reinforces their accomplishments but also positions them as a rising leader in their field.
Step-by-Step Guide to Writing Recommendations That Stand Out
Creating a LinkedIn recommendation that truly shines doesn’t have to feel like a daunting task. By breaking it into clear steps, you can craft a thoughtful, impactful recommendation that highlights the person’s strengths and contributions while staying genuine.
Step 1: Gather Specific Examples
Before diving into writing, take the time to pull together concrete examples of the person’s achievements and contributions. These examples will make your recommendation stand out.
Go through past projects, emails, and performance reviews to identify moments where they went above and beyond. Did they solve a tough problem? Deliver measurable results? Include metrics whenever possible – numbers like revenue growth, cost savings, or customer satisfaction scores add weight to your words.
For instance, instead of saying, "Sarah is great at managing budgets", you could write, "Sarah expertly managed a $2.3 million marketing budget across 15 campaigns in Q3 2024, coming in 8% under budget while exceeding lead generation targets by 23%." Specifics like these turn generic praise into compelling proof of their abilities.
Once you’ve collected your examples, organize them in a way that flows naturally and supports your overall message.
Step 2: Use a Clear Structure
A strong recommendation follows a simple yet effective structure that keeps the reader engaged. This approach ensures you cover all the important points while maintaining a smooth flow.
- Start with a hook: Open with a memorable statement that highlights their most impressive quality or achievement. Be specific – avoid vague compliments.
- Provide context: Explain how you know the person, how long you’ve worked together, and in what capacity. This establishes your credibility as the recommender.
- Highlight their skills and contributions: Focus on one or two standout strengths rather than listing everything. Use the examples you gathered earlier to back up your points, and include both technical expertise and interpersonal qualities.
- Mention their interpersonal traits: Briefly touch on what it’s like to work with them. Are they collaborative? Clear communicators? Reliable under pressure? These details help paint a fuller picture.
- End with a strong endorsement: Wrap up with a confident statement of your recommendation. Make it clear that you fully support their abilities and potential.
This structure ensures your recommendation feels polished and persuasive.
Step 3: Write for U.S. Business Readers
When crafting your recommendation, keep in mind the expectations of U.S. business culture. American readers tend to value directness, results, and clarity, so your language should reflect that.
Use active voice and strong verbs like "led", "delivered", "achieved", or "streamlined" to convey impact. Keep sentences concise and avoid unnecessary jargon unless it’s essential to the role. If you do use technical terms, briefly explain their importance for readers who may not be familiar with them.
Tailor your tone to the person’s profession and career stage. For example:
- A recommendation for a creative director might be more dynamic and personality-driven.
- For a financial analyst, focus on precision, analytical skills, and reliability.
- Senior leaders benefit from language that emphasizes strategic thinking and leadership, while individual contributors shine when you highlight their execution and teamwork.
Step 4: Edit for Clarity and Honesty
Once you’ve written your draft, take the time to refine it. Editing is where your recommendation goes from good to great.
- Keep it concise: Aim for 100-200 words, with the most compelling details in the first 60-80 words to grab attention before LinkedIn’s "See More" button.
- Eliminate fluff: Cut out redundant phrases and filler words. Combine related ideas to improve flow.
- Stick to the truth: Avoid exaggeration. Overstating someone’s achievements can hurt both their credibility and yours. Instead, focus on genuine strengths and accomplishments. Acknowledging areas of growth or learning experiences can also add authenticity.
- Proofread carefully: Check for grammar, spelling, and formatting issues. Tools like Grammarly can help, or you can ask a colleague to review your draft. Even small mistakes can distract from your message.
Finally, think about the recommendation from the recipient’s perspective. Does it align with their career goals? Will it help them stand out for the roles they’re aiming for? A well-crafted recommendation not only highlights their strengths but also supports their professional aspirations while showcasing your credibility as a recommender.
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Advanced Tips for Memorable Recommendations
Once you’ve nailed the basics, it’s time to take your recommendations to the next level. These advanced strategies can turn a simple endorsement into a standout, career-boosting highlight.
Tell a Short, Powerful Story
The most memorable recommendations go beyond generic praise – they tell a story. By using a concise challenge–action–result structure, you can paint a vivid picture of the recipient’s impact.
Start by describing a specific challenge or situation that required their expertise. Follow that by explaining the actions they took, focusing on their unique approach, decision-making, or leadership style. Wrap it up with measurable results that showcase their success. This format turns your recommendation into a mini case study, making it both relatable and impactful.
For instance, instead of saying, "Mike is a great project manager", you could say:
"When our Q4 2024 product launch was delayed by two weeks due to vendor issues, Mike quickly assembled a cross-functional crisis team. Within 48 hours, he negotiated new supplier agreements and restructured the timeline without sacrificing quality. Thanks to his efforts, we launched on schedule and exceeded our revenue target by $180,000 in the first month."
This kind of storytelling not only highlights their skills but also provides real-world proof of their value. Keep your story brief – around 3-4 sentences is ideal.
Add Industry Keywords
Using the right keywords can significantly increase the recipient’s visibility to recruiters. With 87% of recruiters relying on LinkedIn and keyword-optimized profiles receiving 40% more views and three times the messages, this step is crucial [6].
Start by researching 10-15 job postings in their target field to identify commonly used terms, skills, and tools. Look for specific phrases like "Lean Manufacturing", "HIPAA Compliance", or "AI-powered campaigns", as well as platform names like "HubSpot", "AWS", or "Tableau." Certifications such as "PMP" or "CPA" also carry weight.
Additionally, check successful LinkedIn profiles in the same industry to spot recurring keywords. Use LinkedIn’s autocomplete feature and the "People also viewed" section to discover trending terms recruiters are searching for.
When adding these keywords, blend them naturally into your narrative. Avoid overloading your recommendation with terms, as it can sound robotic and may even hurt its performance on LinkedIn. Instead, incorporate them within examples:
"Jennifer’s expertise in multichannel outreach strategies led to a 45% increase in qualified leads, leveraging innovative marketing automation tools like HubSpot."
To broaden reach, include variations and synonyms for key terms. For example, alternate between "digital marketing", "online marketing", and "digital advertising" to capture different search queries while keeping the text readable.
Use Numbers and Metrics
Numbers make your recommendation concrete and credible. Instead of vague claims, use precise figures to back up the recipient’s achievements. For example, LinkedIn users with at least five relevant skills are contacted by recruiters 33 times more often than those with just one [7]. Including specific metrics in your recommendation can help establish those skills with authority.
Replace general statements with data-driven details. For instance, swap "increased sales" with "boosted quarterly sales by $127,000." Instead of "improved efficiency", say "reduced processing time by 23% while maintaining 99.8% accuracy." These specifics make your recommendation stand out and stick in the reader’s mind.
Think about different types of metrics you can include, such as:
- Financial impact: Revenue growth, cost savings, or budget management.
- Operational improvements: Time reductions, quality enhancements, or error rate decreases.
- Team achievements: Number of people managed, training sessions delivered, or retention rates.
- Strategic outcomes: Market share gains, customer satisfaction scores, or project completion rates.
If exact numbers aren’t available, use ranges or percentages. For example, you might write:
"Maria’s social media campaigns consistently generated 15-20% higher engagement rates than industry benchmarks."
Always provide context for the metrics to amplify their significance. A 10% improvement might seem small until you explain it resulted in $2.3 million in additional revenue or impacted 50,000 customers. This approach helps readers grasp the true scale and importance of the achievement.
Comparison: Generic vs. Impactful Recommendations
Understanding the contrast between weak and strong recommendations is key to crafting memorable endorsements. The difference lies in whether your recommendation is vague and forgettable or detailed and impactful – something that hiring managers will notice and remember.
To illustrate this, the table below shows how adding specific details and measurable results can elevate a generic statement into a compelling endorsement. Take a look at these examples to see how precise language and real outcomes transform ordinary feedback into something extraordinary.
Table: Comparing Generic and Impactful Recommendation Language
| Generic Language | Impactful Alternative | Why It Works Better |
|---|---|---|
| "Sarah is a great team player who works well with others." | "Sarah coordinated a 12-person product launch team across three time zones, delivering our mobile app two weeks ahead of schedule and 15% under budget." | Adds context, highlights leadership, and provides measurable results. |
| "John has excellent communication skills." | "John’s quarterly all-hands presentations consistently scored 4.8/5.0 in employee feedback, and his technical documentation reduced customer support tickets by 32%." | Demonstrates communication skills with concrete metrics and real business impact. |
| "Lisa is very creative and innovative." | "Lisa redesigned our email marketing templates, resulting in a 67% increase in click-through rates and generating an additional $340,000 in revenue over six months." | Turns vague claims into measurable business outcomes with specific timeframes. |
| "Mike is reliable and always meets deadlines." | "Mike managed 23 client projects simultaneously in 2024, maintaining a 100% on-time delivery rate while achieving an average client satisfaction score of 9.2/10." | Quantifies reliability with clear metrics and client feedback. |
| "Jennifer is a natural leader." | "Jennifer mentored eight junior developers, with seven receiving promotions within 18 months, while her team consistently exceeded sprint goals by an average of 12%." | Shows leadership through measurable team development and performance results. |
| "David has strong analytical skills." | "David’s data analysis identified $2.1 million in cost-saving opportunities across our supply chain, leading to a 28% reduction in procurement expenses." | Highlights analytical skills with specific financial and operational achievements. |
| "Amy is hardworking and dedicated." | "Amy voluntarily led our crisis response during the March 2024 system outage, working 72 hours straight to restore services and prevent an estimated $800,000 in lost revenue." | Replaces generic praise with a concrete example of dedication and business impact. |
| "Robert brings great energy to the workplace." | "Robert’s employee engagement initiatives increased team participation in company events by 85% and improved our department’s retention rate from 78% to 94%." | Converts subjective traits into measurable improvements in engagement and retention. |
These examples demonstrate that specificity and measurable outcomes are what make a recommendation stand out. Generic phrases often feel interchangeable and lack depth. In contrast, impactful recommendations use concrete examples, numbers, and results to showcase the individual’s unique contributions.
When writing a recommendation, ask yourself: Does this description highlight something truly unique about this person? If not, dig deeper to find specific achievements and measurable results that truly capture their value.
Conclusion: Key Points for Writing Recommendations
Review of Best Practices
Crafting an impactful LinkedIn recommendation boils down to three essential principles: specificity, structure, and genuine insight. Instead of relying on overused phrases like "great team player", focus on sharing concrete examples of achievements, ideally with measurable outcomes.
A well-organized structure makes your recommendation more effective. Start with a personalized and engaging opening that immediately grabs attention. Next, establish your credibility by explaining your professional relationship with the individual. Follow this with specific examples that highlight their standout qualities and accomplishments. Wrap it up by sharing what makes them a pleasure to work with. This logical flow ensures your recommendation is easy to read and impactful – without requiring someone to click "See More" on LinkedIn[5].
Authenticity is what ties everything together. Edit your recommendation to be clear, concise, and honest. A recommendation that feels genuine resonates far more than one that seems overly polished or insincere. By reflecting your actual experience with the person, you create a meaningful endorsement that stands out[1].
With these strategies in mind, the next step is simple: put them into action.
Take Action Now
The best time to write a LinkedIn recommendation is right after a successful collaboration, while the details of the achievements are still fresh. This not only helps the recipient but also strengthens your own professional reputation and engagement within your network.
Make each recommendation personal by tailoring it to your specific experience with the individual. If appropriate, consider offering to write recommendations in return – this gesture can deepen professional connections. Thoughtful recommendations are more than just networking tools; they help build lasting relationships and create opportunities for mutual growth[8].
Start by choosing one person in your network who truly deserves recognition. Use the techniques outlined in this guide to tell their professional story with clarity and detail. By taking the time to highlight others’ successes, you position yourself as a supportive and generous professional, opening doors to future opportunities and stronger connections.
FAQs
How can I highlight both technical and interpersonal skills effectively in a LinkedIn recommendation?
When emphasizing both technical and interpersonal skills, it’s important to provide specific examples that illustrate how these abilities complement each other. For instance, you could describe a technical achievement and then highlight how the individual’s teamwork or communication skills played a key role in making it happen.
Maintain a positive and professional tone, seamlessly incorporating these details into the recommendation. This approach not only makes your endorsement feel genuine but also underscores the recipient’s well-rounded strengths.
What details should I include to make my LinkedIn recommendation stand out?
When writing a LinkedIn recommendation, make it memorable by including specific examples and measurable outcomes that highlight the person’s strengths. For example, you might mention achievements like "increased sales by 30% within six months" or "led a team to deliver a project two weeks ahead of schedule." These kinds of details paint a clear picture of their skills and contributions.
You can also call attention to standout moments, such as awards, recognitions, or successful projects they’ve been part of. Focus on qualities that align with their career goals and demonstrate how they’ve made a meaningful impact on their team or company. A recommendation that’s both detailed and genuine will leave a strong impression.
How can I write a LinkedIn recommendation that supports someone’s career goals and future success?
When crafting a LinkedIn recommendation that supports someone’s career goals and highlights their potential, focus on emphasizing their most relevant skills and achievements. Call attention to qualities like leadership, effective problem-solving, or their ability to navigate challenges – especially those tied to their professional aspirations.
Be sure to include specific examples of their accomplishments that clearly demonstrate their capacity to thrive in the roles or industries they’re aiming for. Personalizing your recommendation to align with their ambitions not only enhances their credibility but also helps them make a lasting impression on future employers or collaborators.