How to Write LinkedIn Recommendations: Your Complete Guide

Hey folks! I hope you are learning a lot about your profile optimization and implementing it daily. Today, I am here with the next topic that's going to take your LinkedIn game to the next level, which is writing recommendations that actually make a difference.

Most of us have never learned how to write recommendations that actually get read, remembered, and make a real impact. We struggle because we don't have a system, we don't know what recruiters look for, and we definitely don't know which words grab attention.

But what if you could become that colleague everyone hopes will write their recommendation? What if your words could open doors for the people who've made a difference in your professional journey?

Today, I'm sharing everything I've learned about writing LinkedIn recommendations that truly stand out. You'll get proven templates, real examples that work, power phrases that capture attention, and the exact formula I use to write recommendations that get results.

Ready to become a recommendation rockstar? Let's dive in and master this underrated LinkedIn superpower together!

Why write LinkedIn recommendations?

I'll be honest – writing recommendations takes time. So why bother? Let me share what I've discovered after writing over 50 recommendations in the past five years.

Your personal brand gets a boost

Every time you write a thoughtful recommendation, you're not just helping someone else – you're showcasing your own leadership and generosity. I noticed my profile views increased by 40% in the months when I was actively writing recommendations. Coincidence? I don't think so.

Visibility

When you recommend someone, your name appears on their profile. Their connections see it. Their future employers see it. I've had many people reach out to me after reading recommendations I wrote for their new hires. 

The reciprocity effect is real

People naturally want to return the favor when you've taken time to support them publicly. Just two weeks after writing a detailed recommendation for a colleague, they surprised me with one of the most glowing recommendations I've ever received. This pattern repeats itself – generosity breeds generosity.

You become the Go-To connector

Here's something interesting – after consistently writing recommendations, people started asking me for introductions and advice. I became known as someone who genuinely cares about others' success. That reputation? Priceless.

Relationships deepen

There's something special about publicly acknowledging someone's talents. I've rekindled connections with former colleagues simply by writing them thoughtful recommendations. One even led to a consulting opportunity worth $15,000.

How to give recommendations on LinkedIn

Okay, let's get practical. You're convinced about writing recommendations, but where's that button? LinkedIn doesn't make it super obvious, so here's your step-by-step guide:

1. Navigate to the person's LinkedIn profile.

2. Look for the "More" button – It's right below their headline, next to the Message button.

3. Click "Recommend" from the dropdown – It's usually the second or third option.

4. Choose your relationship type, select your position at the time, pick the role you held when you worked together.

If you can't find the "More" button, you might be on mobile. The desktop version is much easier for writing recommendations.

Writing templates by relationship type

Now comes the fun part. I've developed these templates after analyzing what works (and what doesn't). Feel free to adapt them – in fact, please do! The best recommendations feel personal, not copy-pasted.

A. Recommending a direct report

When recommending someone you've managed, focus on their growth, achievements, and potential.

Example recommendation:

"I had the pleasure of managing (Person) for two years at(Company name), where she consistently exceeded every expectation I set for her role as Senior Developer.

(She/He) didn't just write code – (She/He) turned our entire deployment process, reducing release time by 60% and virtually eliminating production bugs. 

What sets(Him/Her) apart is the rare combination of technical brilliance and emotional intelligence. She/He mentored three junior developers, all of whom were promoted within a year. Her ability to explain complex concepts simply made her our go-to person for client presentations."

B. Recommending a manager

This one's trickier. You want to be respectful while showcasing why they're an exceptional leader.

Example Recommendation

"Working under David's leadership at Marketing Pro was the most wonderful experience of my career. In three years as my director, he inspired our entire team to achieve what we thought was impossible.

David has this unique ability to see potential in people before they see it themselves. He pushed me to lead our biggest product launch, providing guidance when needed.

What I appreciate most about David's leadership style is his balance of high standards with genuine care for his team's well-being. 

Leaders like David are rare – someone who delivers exceptional business results while building teams that actually enjoy Monday mornings. Any organization would be fortunate to have him at the helm."

C. Recommending a colleague/peer

Peer recommendations should emphasize collaboration and complementary skills.

Example Recommendation

"I've collaborated with Marcus on five major projects at DesignHub, and each time I'm amazed by his ability to turn chaos into clarity.

During our recent rebrand project, Marcus managed to align 15 stakeholders with competing priorities. His presentation to the board was so compelling that they approved our budget increase on the spot. 

But what really impressed me was how he handled the inevitable last-minute changes with grace and strategic thinking.

If you're looking for someone who combines strategic thinking with flawless execution, Marcus is your person. I hope we get to work together again soon."

D. Recommending a client

Client recommendations require a professional tone while highlighting the business relationship.

Example recommendation

"I've had the privilege of working with Amanda and her team at GlobalTech for the past three years, providing marketing consulting services for their product launches.

Amanda represents everything you hope for in a client partnership. She comes to meetings prepared with clear objectives, provides thoughtful feedback, and respects project timelines. 

What truly sets Amanda apart is her collaborative approach to vendor relationships. She treats partners as extensions of her team, sharing context that helps us deliver better results. 

I highly recommend Amanda to any service provider looking for a client relationship built on mutual respect, clear communication, and shared success."

E. Recommending a Service Provider

These recommendations should focus on reliability, quality, and results.

Example recommendation

"When our startup needed a complete brand overhaul, Rachel from BrandForge delivered results that exceeded every expectation.

In just six weeks, Rachel changed our confused identity into a cohesive brand that resonated with our target audience. Her research process uncovered insights about our customers that we'd missed entirely. 

What impressed me most was Rachel's ability to manage our demanding timeline without sacrificing quality. She coordinated with five departments, handled our CEO's last-minute requests with grace, and still delivered early. 

Her communication throughout the process was exemplary – weekly updates, clear next steps, and no surprises.

If you need branding expertise combined with exceptional project management and genuine care for your business success, Rachel is the partner you're looking for."

Industry-specific recommendation examples

Different industries value different qualities. Here's how to tailor your recommendations:

A. Technology/IT 

"I've worked with Alex for three years, and he's simply amazing. When our company's computer systems were slow and expensive, Alex fixed everything. He made them three times faster and saved us tons of money. During that big internet outage last year, we were the only company that stayed online because of his smart planning.

What I love most about Alex is how he explains tech stuff in plain English. He can work all night fixing problems, then explain it to our bosses the next morning like he's talking about the weather. He's patient, brilliant, and makes everyone around him better."

B. Sales/Marketing

"Maria is the best salesperson I've ever met. When everyone said we couldn't win that huge Fortune 500 company as a client, Maria proved them wrong. 

She spent over a year building friendships there, and not only did she win the deal, but they loved us so much they recommended us to three other big companies.

What makes Maria special is that she truly cares about people. She tripled her sales numbers while keeping all her clients happy. 

She remembers birthdays, asks about kids, and solves problems before they happen. If you need someone who can sell anything while making real friends, Maria's your person."

C. Healthcare

"I've worked with Dr. Chen in the emergency room for five years, and she's extraordinary. 

During COVID, when everything was chaotic, she worked extra shifts and still treated every patient like family. She created a new system that got people help 30% faster without any safety problems.

Patricia stays incredibly calm during emergencies while still being warm and caring. Young doctors love learning from her, nurses trust her completely, and patients always feel safe. 

She's the doctor I'd want for my own family – skilled, compassionate, and always putting people first."

D. Creative/Design

"Lisa is a creative genius who makes clients' dreams come true. I remember when a client just said, "make it professional but exciting - Lisa created something so perfect that they won awards. 

She has this gift of understanding what people want even when they can't explain it.

What's amazing about Lisa is that she's both wildly creative and super organized. She never misses deadlines, handles changes gracefully, and makes the whole process fun. 

She listens carefully, asks surprising questions, and delivers magic every time. Any company would be lucky to have her creative spark."

E. Finance/Consulting

"Robert saved more companies than anyone else in our consulting firm. When GlobalRetail was struggling, he found ways to save them $30 million a year that everyone else had missed. 

But here's the special part – he got their executives excited about making tough changes by explaining everything so clearly.

Robert's superpower is making complicated financial stuff simple. He can build complex spreadsheets, then explain them like he's telling a story. 

Clients don't just hire him once – they call him back whenever they need important advice. He's brilliant with numbers but even better with people."

Power phrases and keywords

The right words make all the difference. Here are phrases I've tested that consistently grab attention:

Opening lines that hook

Instead of "I worked with John for two years," try:

Achievement descriptors

Move beyond "did a good job" to:

Character descriptors

Paint a picture of who they are:

Closing statements

End with impact:

Common mistakes to avoid

Let me save you from the cringeworthy errors I made early on:

Generic platitudes

John is a great team player," tells me nothing. Instead: "John mediates team conflicts with such skill that our productivity increased 25% after he joined."

Overused clichés

Avoid "thinks outside the box," "gives 110%," or "self-starter." Show these qualities through specific examples instead.

Vague statements

"Sarah is good at marketing" vs. "Sarah's Instagram campaign generated 50,000 qualified leads in two weeks."

Excessive length

LinkedIn recommendations aren't novels. Aim for 3-4 paragraphs, 150-300 words. If it takes more than 2 minutes to read, it's too long.

Professional Boundaries

Inappropriate personal details

Keep it professional. Their weekend volunteer work? Great. Their messy divorce? Absolutely not.

Confidential information

Never share trade secrets, salary information, or confidential company data. When in doubt, leave it out.

Outdated achievements

Focus on relevant, recent accomplishments. Their college internship from 10 years ago? Probably not necessary.

Missing context

Always explain your relationship and how long you have worked together.

Final thoughts

Writing recommendations means recognizing that we're all connected. Every recommendation you write is a small act of generosity that costs you nothing but time. Yet it can change someone's life trajectory. It can give them confidence during a tough job search. It can be the difference between getting an interview and being passed over.

Use the templates I've shared, adapt the phrases that resonate, but most importantly, write from the heart. Share specific examples of their impact. Paint a picture of their potential. Be the colleague who takes the time to lift others up.

FAQ’s

Can I edit or delete a LinkedIn recommendation after posting it?

Yes, you can edit or remove recommendations you've written. Go to your profile, click on "View profile," scroll to the "Given" section under Recommendations, find the specific recommendation, click the three dots menu, and select "Edit" or "Delete." However, editing will notify the recipient, who must approve changes before they go live.

Should I accept every recommendation I receive?

Not necessarily. Quality matters more than quantity. Only display recommendations that accurately reflect your skills and add value to your profile.

What's the ideal number of LinkedIn recommendations to have?

Aim for 3-5 high-quality recommendations rather than numerous generic ones. For job seekers, having at least one recommendation from each recent role shows consistency.

Do LinkedIn recommendations expire or need updating?

Recommendations don't expire, but they can become less relevant over time. Consider requesting updated recommendations every 2-3 years or when making significant career changes. 

How do recommendations impact LinkedIn's algorithm and profile visibility?

Recommendations signal profile completeness and credibility to LinkedIn's algorithm. Profiles with recommendations typically appear higher in search results and receive 3x more profile views. 

How do I handle recommendations from jobs I left on bad terms?

You don't need recommendations from every role. Focus on positions where you made positive impacts and maintained good relationships.