A great reference can be a game changer for coworkers who are job searching... and writing it doesn't have to be a game breaker for you!
Being asked to write a LinkedIn recommendation is definitely an honor. It means someone you worked with both values your professional judgment and trusts you to share about what a great job they’ve done. This can be a bit intimidating already, and even more so when you know it’s a text that’ll be public on their LinkedIn profile.
But don’t be intimidated! Writing a great reference is just a matter of pulling together some key points about your coworker. And we’ve outlined what you need to include, along with examples, to make writing a glowing LinkedIn recommendation quick and easy.
Start your LinkedIn recommendation by clearly and concisely explaining your professional relationship with the person you're writing for. Whether you were teammates on a specific project, part of the same team, or their direct report, giving this information (including how long you worked together) lets the reader immediately understand the nature of your connection and put your recommendation in context..
Example
I had the pleasure of working closely with Gia as her teammate in the marketing department at XYZ Company for the past two years.
A recommendation is meant to prove how someone is great at their job so this second point is key. Here you should detail the skills and strengths you saw in the person during the time you worked together. Since it’s best to keep an endorsement pretty concise (to be sure potential employers actually read all of it!), speak to the skills that are particularly relevant to the person’s position.
And be sure to back up what you say with examples of when or how the person showed their excellence so anyone who sees the recommendation easily gets a concrete picture of how the person might contribute in future roles.
Example
One of Gia’s standout skills is her exceptional knowledge of marketing tools. For instance, she was our team’s go-to expert for HubSpot. Gia is also particularly strong in data analysis. We could always count on her to review our numbers and help us all understand how to use them to make better decisions.
Keep emphasizing the talents of your colleague by listing some specific achievements or successes they’ve had. You can describe projects where they played a pivotal role or work they did that resulted in outstanding outcomes. If possible, quantify their results to give a tangible sense of their impact.
Example
Last year, Gia showed how well she can tackle tough challenges by planning and overseeing a 6-month client engagement project that led to a 20% increase in customer satisfaction.
To help your recommendation stick in the reader’s mind, think about what made the person you’re writing about unique. It could be their approach to problem-solving, their leadership abilities, or even their communication style. Whatever it is, highlight how they distinctly contributed to add depth to your recommendation.
Example
What really sets Gia apart is her creative way of solving problems. She consistently came up with different ideas that brought fresh perspectives to our team and helped us approach challenges in new ways.
Since no of us works alone, understanding what it’s like to collaborate with someone is one reason recommendations can be useful. Discuss how well the person worked within the team or with their direct reports. Emphasize how they got along with others and contributed positively.
Example
Not only is Gia a terrific marketing manager, but she was also a great teammate. She was open and clear in her communications, and she often went the extra mile to help team members with their work during busy times.
While the bulk of a recommendation will be sharing about what working with someone has been like, referring to their potential lets a future employer imagine what they’ll be like in a new role. So wrap up your reference by mentioning how you see the person moving forward in their career. (If you’re not sure of their plans, check with them first about what kind of positions they’re hoping eventually.)
Example
Gia is already a talented marketer, but I’ve also been impressed by her commitment to keep learning more. She’s always keeping up on the latest in the marketing industry and dedicating time to making sure her skills are sharp.
Once you’ve written your recommendation, read it over carefully to make sure there aren’t any typos or mistakes in the info. (You don’t want your oversight to affect someone’s impression of your coworker!) And, before you publish it, also consider sharing your recommendation with the person you’re writing about. This gives them the chance to double check any facts included and also make sure the recommendation emphasizes what they see as most important in their work so it help supports their next career move.
Writing a LinkedIn recommendation for a teammate is a great way to show your appreciation for their work now and to help them stand out with potential employers in the future. By following the tips above, you can be sure your endorsement is memorable and impactful so it does the job of making your coworker shine.
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