How to Ask for LinkedIn Recommendations

Scenario

Have you been looking for jobs for a while but continually receive bad news? Did you recently leave a place where you worked hard? Or maybe you only want to strengthen your profile?

These are all situations in which you need to know how to ask for LinkedIn recommendations.

Solutions

No matter what type of case you are currently on (maybe more than one), it is necessary that you craft your recommendation request based on your specific situation.

For example, if you plan to ask a person you used to work with/for, but it has been a while since you’ve been in touch, you should send the person a LinkedIn greeting message with a polite request asking for their recommendation. After receiving permission, reply with a thank-you note and a copy of your resume, or simply include your primary responsibilities and achievements.

However, if the potential recommender is at the company you just left, first express your gratitude for working together in your LinkedIn message, and follow it up with the same steps we just discussed in the last paragraph.

Sample Messages

To people you worked with a long time ago

Hi XX!

I hope everything is going well with you. It’s been a while since the last time we [remind the person about a meeting/conversation/project you had].

To strengthen my LinkedIn profile, I plan to gather some valuable recommendations. Considering that [briefly remind the experience you have worked together], I am writing to ask if you would be willing to share a few words about my work at [Company]. Any words from you will significantly elevate my profile.

I have also included a description that briefly mentions my responsibilities at [Company]. If you prefer, I would be happy to provide some ideas or phrases to simplify the process for you.

Thank you very much in advance for your time!

Best regards,

[Your Name]

To your prior supervisor who works at the company you just left 

Dear XX,

I hope you are doing great. Although I landed a new job, I would like to gather a valuable recommendation from [Company] to strengthen my LinkedIn page. As my direct supervisor, your words will significantly elevate my profile. Therefore, I am writing to ask if you would be open to writing a recommendation that highlights my skills of [skill set you’d like recommended]. I would also be happy to provide some ideas or vocabulary to make it easier for you.

Thank you very much in advance for your time!

Regards,

[Your Name]

Alternative wordings:

• I was trying to refresh my LinkedIn presence and wondered if you would be willing to share a few words about my work at [Company].
• If you don’t feel comfortable with it, then please disregard this request; I completely understand.

Asking for recommendations is one approach you can use to enhance your LinkedIn page. To learn how to improve the presence of your LinkedIn profile even more, be sure to read 8 Things You Need to Know When Updating Your LinkedIn Profile.