Do LinkedIn Recommendations Matter?
- Feb 18, 2025
- 2 min read
Recently one of my clients asked, “Do LinkedIn recommendations really matter?”
Great question! Depends who you ask. To recruiters? Not so much. But hiring managers? Yep, they will likely read your recommendations. You ever buy something on Amazon without checking the reviews first? Exactly. Hiring managers often take the same approach when considering multiple candidates.
Do LinkedIn recommendations make or break your job search? Probably not. But do they help? Yep. Strong recommendations can:
Build credibility – A strong recommendation shows that someone trusts you and is willing to vouch for you publicly.
Boost your profile in search results – LinkedIn’s algorithm factors in recommendations, helping your profile appear more often.
Grab a hiring managers’ attention – Especially if they know or share a mutual connection with the person who wrote it.
Serve as an easy-to-trace reference – Providing proof of your professional capabilities.
How to Request a LinkedIn Recommendation:
You can request a recommendation directly on LinkedIn, but some people prefer a more formal email approach, especially when reaching out to senior leaders.
When writing your request:
Explain your "why." Are you job hunting? Building your profile? Let them know your purpose.
Make it effortless. Remind them of key projects you've worked on together, or specific achievements to help spark their memory.
Avoid generic fluff. A strong recommendation should showcase your specific skills and impact, not sound like it could apply to anyone. “They were great to work with” is meh. “They led a project that increased revenue by 20%” is much more impactful.
Steps to Request a Recommendation on LinkedIn:
1️⃣ Scroll down to the Recommendations section of your profile.
2️⃣ Click the plus sign (upper right-hand side).
3️⃣ Select “Ask for a recommendation.”
4️⃣ Type the person’s name, select their profile, and click “Continue.”
5️⃣ Select your relationship from the dropdown list.
6️⃣ Choose the position you held at the time.
7️⃣ Personalize your message.
8️⃣ Click “Send.”
So, should you ask for LinkedIn recommendations? Absolutely. Will they single-handedly land you a job? Probably not. But in a competitive job market, every little advantage helps.
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