Why Recommendations Still Carry Weight
LinkedIn profiles are self-reported. You write your own headline, choose your own skills, and describe your own accomplishments. Recommendations are the one section where someone else vouches for you in their own words.
That distinction matters. When a recruiter is comparing two candidates with similar backgrounds, the one with three specific recommendations from managers and peers has a credible edge. It is third-party validation that is hard to fake and easy to verify.
According to LinkedIn's own data, profiles with recommendations are viewed more frequently and appear higher in recruiter search results. The algorithm treats recommendations as a signal of profile completeness and engagement.
You do not need 20 recommendations. Three to five strong, specific ones from the right people will do more for your profile than a dozen generic "great to work with" blurbs.
Who to Ask for a Recommendation
Not all recommendations carry equal weight. A recommendation from your direct manager carries more credibility than one from a college friend who never worked with you professionally.
Here is a priority list:
| Source | Why It Matters |
|---|---|
| Direct manager / supervisor | Validates your performance from someone who evaluated it firsthand |
| Cross-functional collaborator | Shows you work well across teams and are not just effective in a silo |
| Direct report (if you managed people) | Demonstrates leadership from the perspective of someone you led |
| Client or customer | Proves you deliver value to the people who pay for it |
| Peer / teammate | Confirms you are a strong day-to-day colleague |
Aim for a mix. One recommendation from a manager, one from a peer, and one from someone in a different function gives a recruiter a well-rounded picture.
Who Not to Ask
- People who did not work with you directly. A recommendation that says "I'm sure they'd be great at anything they do" is obvious padding.
- Family members. This should go without saying, but it happens.
- People you have not spoken to in years. If you need to reintroduce yourself, the recommendation will likely be vague.
How to Ask Without Making It Awkward
The reason most people never ask for recommendations is because the request feels uncomfortable. Here is how to make it natural.
Step 1: Offer First
The easiest way to get a recommendation is to write one first. When someone receives a thoughtful recommendation they did not ask for, the natural impulse is to reciprocate. This is not manipulation — it is generosity that builds goodwill.
Step 2: Be Specific About What You Are Looking For
A vague "Would you write me a recommendation?" puts all the work on the other person. They have to figure out what to say, how long to make it, and what to focus on. Make it easy:
Hey [Name], I'm updating my LinkedIn profile and would
really value a recommendation from you. If you're open
to it, it would be especially helpful if you could speak
to [specific skill, project, or quality]. For example,
our work together on [specific project] or how I
[specific contribution].
No pressure at all — and happy to return the favor if
you'd like one on your profile too.
This message does three things: it asks clearly, it provides direction so they do not stare at a blank screen, and it offers reciprocity.
Step 3: Make It Easy to Say No
Adding "no pressure" or "totally understand if you're too busy" is not just politeness. It respects the relationship. Some people are uncomfortable writing recommendations, and that is fine. You want genuine endorsements, not reluctant ones.
Step 4: Follow Up Once
If they agree but a couple weeks pass, send a gentle nudge. People get busy. A simple "Hey, just a quick reminder about that LinkedIn recommendation whenever you get a chance — no rush" is perfectly appropriate.
How to Write a Recommendation That People Value
When someone asks you for a recommendation — or when you are writing one proactively — the quality of what you write reflects on both of you. A generic recommendation helps no one. A specific one becomes a genuine career asset for the recipient.
The Structure That Works
A strong LinkedIn recommendation has three parts:
1. Context: How do you know this person? What was your working relationship?
2. Specific example: Tell a brief story or describe a concrete situation where they demonstrated the quality you are highlighting.
3. Endorsement: A clear statement about their value and what kind of team or organization would benefit from them.
Good vs. Bad: Side by Side
Weak recommendation:
"Sarah is a hard worker and great team player. She's always willing to help out and I enjoyed working with her. I'd recommend her to anyone."
This could describe literally anyone. It contains no specifics, no stories, and no differentiation.
Strong recommendation:
"I worked with Sarah for two years on the product team at Acme Corp, where she led our migration from a legacy CMS to a headless architecture. What stood out was not just the technical execution — she brought three resistant stakeholder groups to consensus in under a month by running focused workshops that addressed each team's specific concerns. Sarah combines deep technical skill with the rare ability to communicate complex decisions clearly to non-technical audiences. Any organization dealing with complex technical transformations would be lucky to have her."
The strong version tells a story, demonstrates specific skills, and gives the reader a clear picture of what working with Sarah is like.
Keep It to 3-5 Sentences
LinkedIn recommendations do not need to be long. In fact, shorter recommendations tend to get read more carefully. Aim for 50-100 words. If you find yourself writing a full paragraph for each point, you are writing too much.
A practical test: if the recommendation could apply to anyone at the company, it is too generic. If it could only apply to that one person, you have nailed it.
How Many Recommendations Do You Need?
There is a point of diminishing returns. Here is a reasonable guideline:
0 recommendations: Looks incomplete — get at least 2-3
3-5 recommendations: The sweet spot for most professionals
6-10 recommendations: Strong, especially if they span different roles
10+ recommendations: Impressive if they are varied, but quantity
alone does not matter — quality does
If you are actively job searching, aim for at least 3-5 recommendations that cover your most recent 2-3 roles. If you have been at the same company for a long time, get recommendations from different projects, teams, or time periods to show breadth.
Maintaining Your Recommendations Over Time
Recommendations are not a one-time activity. The best time to ask for a recommendation is right after a successful project, a positive performance review, or when someone transitions to a new role (they are in a reflective mode and more likely to write something thoughtful).
Build a habit of:
- Writing one unsolicited recommendation per quarter for someone you genuinely admire
- Asking for one recommendation after each major project milestone
- Reviewing your existing recommendations annually and requesting updates if your role has significantly evolved
This approach means you always have fresh, relevant recommendations on your profile without ever having to do a big batch request (which feels transactional).
What to Do With Recommendations You Receive
LinkedIn lets you choose which recommendations to display and in what order. Curate your visible recommendations strategically:
- Lead with the most relevant. If you are targeting product management roles, put the recommendation from your product director above the one from your college research advisor.
- Hide outdated ones. A recommendation from an internship supervisor 10 years ago might not serve you anymore. You can hide it without deleting it.
- Respond to every recommendation. A brief "thank you" comment shows you value the relationship. It is a small gesture that strengthens the connection.
Make Sure Your Full Profile Is Ready
Strong recommendations amplify a strong profile. If your headline, experience section, and summary are not pulling their weight, recommendations alone will not carry your LinkedIn presence. Similarly, when recruiters click through from your profile to evaluate your resume, that document needs to deliver.
Superpower Resume helps you build resumes that match the strength of your LinkedIn presence — tailored to specific roles, optimized for ATS systems, and written to highlight measurable impact. Pair a strong LinkedIn profile with a strong resume and you are giving yourself every advantage.
Sources
- LinkedIn Official Blog: Tips for Building a Strong Profile — LinkedIn's own guidance on profile optimization, including the role of recommendations
- Harvard Business Review: How to Write a LinkedIn Recommendation — Practical framework for writing recommendations that carry genuine weight
- Forbes: Why LinkedIn Recommendations Matter More Than You Think — Career expert analysis on the strategic value of third-party endorsements
