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Video Time: 3.5 Minutes Action Time: 20-30 Minutes
A recommendation from a previous employer or client is an incredible gift that affirms your skills and talents. It is a third-party vouching for you. Ask the people who are making your recommendation to endorse you and your skills. If you think you’ve never worked, think again! We will show you that you already do work and don’t even know it. If you’ve ever sent a text or email or answered your phone for a project, you have worked. Congratulations! You’re a worker extraordinaire.
Recommendations do several things for you:
They show that a third party is willing to vouch for you. Your colleagues, former coworkers, bosses, etc., are giving you their approval.They affirm your skills and talents. Remember that having others give you their recommendation or endorsement verifies your skills even more.
They allow you to be an advocate. Giving recommendations makes you stand out and demonstrates your willingness to help others.
Who gets a ton of recommendations? Take a guess. Okay, time’s up! Still don’t know? Fine, we’ll tell you. People who get tons of recommendations are those who ask for them! Ask people in our Private LinkedIn Membership Community for endorsements. Ask your friends, supporters, community, past employers/coworkers, and cheerleaders!
1
Get ready to request.
Navigate to your connection’s profile. You can take a moment to admire them and all of their accomplishments while you’re there. I’m sure they’ll be doing the same thing for you! Click the More button at the top of your connection’s profile. In the drop-down that appears, click Request a recommendation.
2
Specify yourrelationship.
A window will pop up, and you will be given two drop-downs for your relationship to the connection and your position when you worked with them. Choose from the options listed and then click “Next. As we said earlier, details are important! While they will remember you, it is always helpful for more information to help jog their memory if needed. After seeing your official title, they’ll remember how great you were to work with and all you accomplished.
3
Write an impactfulmessage.
4
Don’t forget to send off your request!
Once you have typed in your request, hit Send.
Navigate back to theirprofile.
This step should be easy! Right under the option to Request a recommendation, there is an option to recommend. Click this to give your connection a powerful recommendation and return the favor they gave you.
Tell LinkedIn how andwhen you workedtogether
This step is similar to requesting a recommendation. Specify your relationship and their position when you worked together. This improves their LinkedIn by showing who they worked with and how. If your connection was your boss at the time, choose the position they held while you worked with them. Also, we’re just as disappointed as you that there’s no It’s Complicated option for your relationship status. Opportunity missed!
Recommend them with your whole heart.
Your connection just did you a huge favor by recommending you. You need to write them the best possible recommendation as thanks. In the middle box, type out how great they were to work with and how anyone else would be lucky to have them on their team.
Don’t forget to send it.
Amazing! After you have typed out your recommendation, hit Send and you are done.
Hot tip #1Details Make the Difference: When recommending someone or requesting arecommendation, the more specific you are in the information you provide, the more convincing your recommendation will be.
Make sure you re specific about these things:1. How you know the person. Were you their senior? Team member? Were they a manager?2. The time you have worked together and what you’ve worked on. Did you work with them daily on a specific project or numerous projects?3. The qualities that would make someone want to hire them. How did they demonstrate their skills and positive attributes? How were their results?
Hot Tip #2 What To Include in Your Request: If you ask for a recommendation, let the other person know you’ll give them one too! It’s called reciprocity the practice of exchanging things with others for mutual benefit. Ask, and you shall receive! Many people have trouble asking for recommendations because they feel they’re bothering someone or are afraid of a bad recommendation. Instead, give yourself a pat on the back. You’re one step closer to career success after exchanging recommendations! You also get the satisfaction of helping one of your connections with their career. Give yourself two pats on the back for that one!
When requesting a recommendation, you should:1. Include a statement that lets them know how much you value them and their support. We know it feels like brown-nosing, but it isn’t. Who doesn’t like to feel like their thoughts are valued?2. Let them know what sort of feedback you’re looking for. Have the people who recommend you include the qualities that would make someone want to hire you. How were the qualities demonstrated? What was the result? Let them know so that they can focus their attention on that! These details will help attract recruiters to you.3. Be gracious. Even if your connection doesn’t write you a recommendation, you should thank them for their time reading your request.4. Include a call to action. Lastly, phrase your request in a way that causes them to view it as a reminder!