How To Ask For Recommendations On LinkedIn: Templates & Best Practices

LinkedIn recommendations add credibility to your professional profile. According to LinkedIn’s own data, profiles with recommendations are 3x more likely to get profile views. Whether you’re job hunting, building your personal brand, or growing your network, getting quality recommendations can make a real difference.

Before You Ask For Recommendations

Preparation Steps

1. Update your profile with current work experience
2. Make a list of potential recommenders
3. Write down specific projects or achievements for each person

Who to Ask for LinkedIn Recommendations

• Former or current managers who know your work well
• Colleagues you’ve worked with directly
• Clients who can speak about your service quality
• Academic advisors (especially useful for recent graduates)

Pro tip: Choose people who have worked with you in the last 2-3 years, as recent experience is more valuable to recruiters.

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Step-by-Step Guide to Ask a Recommendation On LinkedIn

Technical Steps

1. Go to your LinkedIn profile
2. Click the “More” button
3. Select “Request a Recommendation”
4. Choose your connection and define your relationship
5. Fill in the message template

Writing the Request Message

Your request should:

• Be personal and specific
• Mention shared experiences
• Include what you’d like them to highlight
• Make it easy for them to say yes

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LinkedIn Recommendations: What to Do (and Not Do)

Do’s

• Ask people who know your work well
• Be specific about what you want them to highlight
• Give them context and reminders
• Time your request when they’re not too busy

Don’ts

• Send generic messages
• Ask people you barely know
• Request recommendations from too many people at once
• Forget to say thank you

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Recommendation Request Templates

Colleague/Peer 

Hi [Colleague’s name],

I hope you’re well! We worked closely together on [specific project/team] for [time period], and I really valued our collaboration.

Would you feel comfortable writing a LinkedIn recommendation about our time working together? I’d particularly appreciate if you could speak to my [specific skills] and how we collaborated on [specific achievement].

To make it easier, here are some highlights of our work together:
• [Collaborative achievement]
• [Specific contribution]
• [Team success]

Thanks for considering this request!

Best,
[Your name]

Former/Current Manager

Hi [Manager’s name],

I hope you’re doing well. I really enjoyed working with you on [specific project] at [Company]. Your mentorship in [specific area] was particularly valuable to my professional growth.

Would you be willing to write me a LinkedIn recommendation focusing on my [specific skills] and our work together on [specific achievement]? I’d especially appreciate your insights on [particular strength/contribution].

I understand you’re busy, so I’ve drafted some key points about our work together that might be helpful:
• [Project/achievement 1]
• [Project/achievement 2]
• [Specific skill demonstrated]

Thank you for considering my request.

Best regards,
[Your name]

Client 

Hi [Client’s name],

I hope business is going well! I wanted to thank you again for the opportunity to work on [project/service] with you. I’m really proud of what we achieved together.

Would you be willing to write a brief LinkedIn recommendation about our professional relationship? It would be great if you could mention the [specific results/outcomes] we achieved and my role in [specific aspect of the work].

I’ve outlined some key points about our collaboration:
• [Achievement/result 1]
• [Achievement/result 2]
• [Positive outcome]

Thank you for considering my request.

Kind regards,
[Your name]

Academic Advisor/Professor

Dear Professor [Name],

I hope this message finds you well. As your former student in [class/program], I greatly valued your mentorship, especially regarding [specific topic/project].

Would you be willing to write a LinkedIn recommendation highlighting my academic achievements and [specific skills/qualities] you observed? I’m particularly proud of [specific project/research] we worked on together.

Thank you for considering my request.

Best regards,
[Your name]

Key Tips for Using Templates:

• Always personalize the template with specific details
• Mention concrete projects, achievements, or skills
• Keep it concise (2-3 short paragraphs maximum)
• Make it easy for the recommender by providing key points
• Express genuine appreciation
• Follow up with a thank-you message after receiving the recommendation

Remember: These templates are starting points – customize them to reflect your authentic relationship and specific situation with each person you’re asking.

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Following Up After you Ask for Recommendations

When to Follow Up

• Wait at least one week before following up
• Send a gentle reminder
• Offer to provide more information if needed

After Receiving a Recommendation

1. Send a thank-you message
2. Offer to write one in return
3. Stay in touch with your recommender

Quick Action Checklist

• Update your profile
• List potential recommenders
• Customize template for each person
• Send personalized requests
• Follow up appropriately
• Say thank you

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LinkedIn Recommendations and Jobright.ai Integration

LinkedIn recommendations add credibility to your professional profile, and with tools like Jobright.ai’s AI-driven platform, you can make your job search even more effective. According to LinkedIn’s own data, profiles with recommendations are 3x more likely to get profile views, while Jobright.ai’s advanced matching technology can help showcase these endorsements to over 8 million potential job opportunities. Whether you’re actively job hunting or building your professional network, quality recommendations on your LinkedIn profile, alongside Jobright.ai’s personalized job matching system, can significantly improve your chances of landing interviews in today’s competitive job market.

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Conclusion

Getting good LinkedIn recommendations takes planning and proper approach. Use these templates as starting points, but always personalize your requests. Remember that quality matters more than quantity. Take time to maintain professional relationships with your recommenders, as these connections can be valuable throughout your career. A thoughtful approach to requesting recommendations not only helps you get better testimonials but also strengthens your professional network. The effort you put into personalized requests will reflect in the quality of recommendations, making your profile more compelling to potential employers.