How to write a Linkedin recommendation; templates included

Writing a LinkedIn recommendation is a great way to show appreciation and recognition for someone's professional achievements and skills. It can also establish your credibility and reputation within your professional network. While there is no set length for a LinkedIn recommendation, roughly 100-200 words is expected. We've provided some guidelines for you to follow: 

Introduction:

In the first paragraph, introduce the person you recommend and provide some context on how you know them. This could include their job title, company, and the nature of your working relationship with them.

I highly recommend [Name] Smith, Director of Sales at Acme Company, for any leadership or sales position. I have enjoyed working with [Name] for five years and can attest to his exceptional leadership, strategic thinking, and sales acumen.

Professional qualities:

In this section, highlight the person's professional qualities and strengths. You can use specific examples or anecdotes to illustrate these qualities. Try to be as straightforward as possible, and provide concrete evidence of the person's skills and accomplishments. For example, if you recommend a product manager, you might discuss their ability to conduct customer research calls, handle complex projects, keep the engineering team on track, and provide an example of a successful product they delivered.

Under [Name]'s leadership, the sales team has consistently exceeded their targets and has earned a reputation as one of the most successful in the industry. He has a keen eye for identifying market trends and has been instrumental in guiding the company's product development and marketing strategies.

Personal qualities:

While it's important to focus on professional skills and accomplishments, it can also be valuable to touch on the person's personal qualities. This might include things like their work ethic, communication skills, or leadership abilities. You could also discuss how they have contributed to company culture or helped to build strong relationships within the team.

In addition to his professional skills, [Name] is a pleasure to work with. He is approachable, has a great sense of humor, and is always willing to lend a helping hand. He is also deeply committed to his community and has been involved in several philanthropic initiatives.

Conclusion: 

In the final paragraph, summarize your recommendation and reiterate your endorsement of the person. 

[Name]'s ability to inspire and motivate his team, build strong relationships with clients, and contribute to the community make him a valuable asset to any organization. 

How to leave a recommendation? 

Here are the steps to leave a recommendation on LinkedIn:

1. Go to the profile of the person you want to recommend.
2. Scroll down to the "Recommendations" section and click the "Recommend" button.
3. Choose the type of recommendation you want to leave: "Recommend," "Recommend with changes," or "Decline."
4. Write your recommendation in the text box provided. You can write up to 3,000 characters, but it's best to keep it concise and to the point.
5. Choose your relationship with the person you're recommending (e.g., colleague, supervisor, client, etc.) and specify the time frame of your working relationship.
6. Click "Send" to submit your recommendation.

You can also request recommendations from others by clicking the "Ask for a recommendation" button on your LinkedIn profile. You can customize the message and select the people you want to request recommendations from. Once someone has submitted a recommendation for you, it will appear on your profile in the "Recommendations" section for others to see.

The law of reciprocity holds true with recommendations. The law of reciprocity is a social psychology principle that suggests that when someone does something nice for us, we feel a social obligation to do something nice in return. This principle is deeply ingrained in human nature and is observed in many different cultures.

So give a LinkedIn recommendation first, and you'll likely get one back in return. 

LinkedIn recommendation templates based on job title: 

Account Executive Colleague

I highly recommend [Name] for any sales position. As a colleague, I have had the privilege to witness his exceptional communication and persuasion skills firsthand. He connects with clients effortlessly and offers them tailor-made solutions that meet their objectives. He is a patient, encouraging leader, always motivating his team to deliver their best results. His positive attitude, great sense of humor, and approachable nature make him a pleasure to work with. [Name] is an outstanding sales professional with a proven track record, and I am confident he will be an asset to any organization.

VP of Sales you reported to

I strongly recommend [Name] for any executive sales position. As the VP of Sales at [Company], [Name] provided exceptional leadership and strategic guidance, driving the Company to new heights. [Name] was an inspiring and supportive leader who encouraged and empowered the team to achieve their best results. Under [Name]'s guidance, we consistently exceeded our targets and established ourselves as leaders in the industry. In addition, [Name]'s expertise, dedication, and strong interpersonal skills make [Name] an asset to any organization. Working under [Name]'s leadership was a pleasure, and I would welcome the opportunity to work with [Name] again in the future.

Customer that you sold to

I highly recommend [Name] as a customer. I enjoyed working with [Name] and found [Name] to be a highly knowledgeable and engaged partner. [Name] was always willing to share insights and provide feedback that helped improve our products and services—[Name]'s professionalism and commitment to excellence made [Name] a valuable partner and collaborator. I welcome the opportunity to work with [Name] again and highly recommend [Name] to anyone looking for a reliable and results-driven professional. 

Account executive on your team

I highly recommend [Name] for any sales position. As an Account Executive on my team, [Name] consistently demonstrated exceptional sales skills, dedication, and professionalism. [Name] was a natural leader who motivated and empowered the team to achieve outstanding results. [Name]'s ability to identify and leverage opportunities, build strong relationships with clients, and close deals was truly impressive. [Name] was also a pleasure to work with, always approachable, and with a positive attitude. I am confident that [Name] will be a valuable asset to any organization and highly recommend [Name] to anyone looking for a top-performing sales professional.