How do I write an effective LinkedIn recommendation?

Are your LinkedIn recommendations reading like slogans for a pep rally?

Toby is great!

Sangeeta is super!

Unfortunately, sweeping superlatives won’t best serve Toby or Sangeeta on their LinkedIn profiles. Your recommendations will read like hundreds of others. They won’t separate Toby or Sangeeta from the pack.

Make every word count for those employees, coworkers, or bosses you appreciate by including specific details about what they did and what makes them unique.

How do you know this person?

• What's your reporting relationship? (Is this person your employee, coworker, or boss?)

• How long have you worked together?

This information provides the context for your recommendation and demonstrates why you're qualified to give it.

What duties did the person perform?

Instead of just listing duties, frame them positively.

Someone who...

monitored budget and planned events

...doesn't sound as impressive as someone who

kept the department on budget and planned five successful cross-campus events.

Think of this section as a list of measurable achievements, rather than duties, to help set the right tone.

What do the duties or achievements you listed say about this person?

Maybe this person is...

meticulous

motivated to achieve results

passionate about the cause

Remember, be creative and specific. Avoid bland and general words like “great” or “super.”

End with a sentence making it clear that you endorse this person’s work.

You might include a prediction about how well they will perform future roles or be an asset to future teams.

I heartily endorse Sangeeta as someone who will become a champion of efficiency for any team she is on.

After you agree to write someone a LinkedIn recommendation: