How to Write LinkedIn Recommendations: 2025 Guide

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Writing a LinkedIn recommendation might seem challenging, but it doesn’t have to be. This guide will show you exactly how to recommend someone on LinkedIn and write a recommendation that makes an impact.

Desktop Instructions:

Visit the LinkedIn profile of the person you want to recommend
Click the “More” button (three dots) near their profile photo
Select “Recommend”
Choose your relationship and position at the time
Write your recommendation
Click “Send”

Writing Your Recommendations

Basic Structure

A good LinkedIn recommendation follows this format:

Start with an attractive opening
Explain how you know the person
Describe specific achievements
Include personal qualities
End with a strong statement

Templates

Manager

“[Name] is an exceptional leader who combines strategic thinking with genuine care for their team. During our time at [Company], they [specific achievement] which resulted in [measurable result]. Their ability to [specific skill] while [another skill] makes them a valuable asset to any organization. I particularly remember when [specific situation] where they demonstrated [quality].”

Colleague

“I had the pleasure of working with [Name] for [time period] at [Company] where we collaborated on [project/responsibility]. [Name]’s expertise in [skill] contributed to [specific result]. What sets [Name] apart is their [unique quality] and [another quality]. For example, [specific example of their work].”

Direct Report

“[Name] reported to me at [Company] for [time period]. Their outstanding performance in [area] led to [specific achievement]. They consistently showed [quality] and [quality], making them a [positive description] team member. One project that highlights their abilities was [specific example].”

Real-Life Examples

Leadership Recommendation: “Sarah transformed our marketing department during her 3-year tenure as Director. She introduced data-driven decision-making that increased our ROI by 150%. Beyond numbers, Sarah created a collaborative culture where creative ideas flourished. Her morning brainstorming sessions became legendary for producing innovative campaigns. Any company would be fortunate to have her strategic mind and inspiring leadership.”
Technical Professional Recommendation: “David’s technical expertise in cloud architecture saved our company $200,000 in infrastructure costs. During our two-year collaboration, he led the migration of 15 legacy systems to AWS, completing each phase ahead of schedule. His ability to explain complex technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders made him invaluable during client presentations.”
Client Service Recommendation: “Jennifer’s approach to client relationships goes beyond traditional account management. In one instance, she identified a $2M revenue opportunity by truly understanding our client’s business challenges. Her proactive problem-solving and attention to detail resulted in a 98% client retention rate.”

Making Your Recommendations Stand Out

Key Elements to Include:

Specific achievements with numbers
Personal anecdotes that illustrate skills
Industry-relevant keywords
Clear examples of leadership or expertise
Measurable impact on business goals

Impact Statements to Use:

“Increased team productivity by X%”
“Led projects worth $X in revenue”
“Improved customer satisfaction from X to Y”
“Reduced costs by X% through innovation”

Optimize Your LinkedIn Profile

Why Recommendations Matter

Strong recommendations on LinkedIn do more than fill out your profile. When potential employers visit your profile, genuine recommendations serve as social proof of your abilities. These third-party endorsements back up the skills and experiences you list. Many hiring managers read recommendations to understand how others view your work style and abilities. A profile rich with thoughtful recommendations often appears higher in LinkedIn search results, making you more visible to recruiters.

Strategic Profile Enhancement

Place recommendations strategically
Request recommendations from diverse professional relationships
Highlight different skills through varied recommendations

Using AI to Improve Your Profile

Making your LinkedIn profile stand out takes time and effort, but AI tools can make this process easier and more effective. Jobright.ai works as your personal profile advisor, examining every aspect of your professional presence. The system analyzes your current profile against industry standards and successful profiles in your field. It then creates a detailed report showing where your profile shines and where it needs work.

Try Jobright for Free

Best Practices

Do’s:

Be specific with examples
Include numbers and results
Keep it between 200-300 words
Focus on professional qualities
Proofread carefully

*According to Harvard Business Review’s guide on professional recommendations, being specific and authentic are key elements of a powerful recommendation.

Don’ts:

Don’t write generic praise
Avoid personal information
Don’t exaggerate achievements
Skip unrelated skills

FAQs

Q: How many recommendations should I write?
A: Quality matters more than quantity. Focus on writing meaningful recommendations for people whose work you know well.

Q: When should I write a recommendation?
A: Write recommendations when you have specific examples of someone’s good work, usually after completing a project together or at the end of a working relationship.

Conclusion

Writing effective LinkedIn recommendations is an important professional skill that benefits both the writer and the recipient. By following this guide’s structure and examples, you can create meaningful recommendations that highlight specific achievements and valuable qualities. Remember that authentic, detailed recommendations carry more weight than generic praise, so take time to reflect on your professional relationship before writing. Whether you’re giving or receiving recommendations, maintaining a strong LinkedIn profile is always crucial for your career growth.

Quick Guide: How to Recommend Someone on LinkedIn