How to Write a LinkedIn Recommendation
A strong LinkedIn recommendation highlights specific skills, provides concrete examples of the person's work, and explains the context of your professional relationship. The best recommendations are authentic, specific, and focused on what makes this person valuable to work with.
Key Elements of a Great Recommendation
- Your relationship context – How you worked together and for how long
- Specific skills or achievements – What they did, not just who they are
- A memorable example – A story or situation that demonstrates their value
- Clear endorsement – Why you recommend them for future opportunities
LinkedIn Recommendation Examples by Relationship
For a Colleague
"I worked alongside Sarah for two years on our product team. Her ability to translate complex technical requirements into clear user stories made our sprint planning sessions productive. During our website redesign project, she identified a user flow issue that saved us weeks of development time. Any team would benefit from her combination of analytical thinking and collaborative approach."
For a Direct Report
"I had the pleasure of managing Alex for three years as he grew from junior developer to team lead. His technical skills are excellent, but what sets him apart is his ability to mentor others while maintaining his own productivity. When we needed someone to lead our API modernization project, Alex stepped up and delivered ahead of schedule. He's ready for senior leadership roles."
For a Manager
"Reporting to Jennifer transformed my approach to client relationships. She taught me to listen for underlying needs rather than surface requests. Under her guidance, I grew my accounts by 40% while maintaining our highest satisfaction scores. She creates an environment where you can take risks and learn from mistakes. I recommend her as both a leader and mentor."
Tips for Writing Better Recommendations
- Be specific – Generic praise doesn't stand out. Mention actual projects or situations.
- Keep it concise – LinkedIn recommendations of 200-400 words perform best.
- Write for their goals – Tailor your recommendation to the roles they're seeking.
- Avoid clichés – Skip phrases like "team player" without specific examples.
- Proofread – Your recommendation reflects on your professionalism too.
When to Write LinkedIn Recommendations
The best time to write a recommendation is when the experience is fresh—right after completing a project together, when someone leaves for a new role, or when asked. Don't wait until you've forgotten the specific details that make recommendations memorable.