The Importance of Linked Recommendations & Tips to Get Them

More and more, employers and search firms are turning to Linkedin to “separate the wheat from the chaff” and improve their chances of hiring someone who will be successful in a job. In addition to checking for common contacts on a job seeker’s Linkedin profile, they are beginning to rely more on Linkedin recommendations to get additional “insurance” when making a hire. In fact, if you look closely, a growing number of job postings state that candidates with X number (fill in the blank) of Linkedin recommendations will be more strongly considered. If you do not have eight to ten recommendations, (ideally one to two from each employer, and ideally from the person to whom you reported and either a colleague partner or subordinate), you need to “get busy!”

For those out of work, their self esteem may understandably have "taken a pounding," but it's important to center yourself and remember who you've been professionally. Think about the many obstacles you've overcome and the many successes you've contributed to. Also, reflect about which skills and experience you possess that are "head and shoulders" over others in your arena. Once you've done that, it's time to think about who you've worked with who has respected your work, your work ethics, skills, or has enjoyed partnering with you. Make a list and send them a request to write a recommendation. If you need them to focus on a specific area, ask them if they are comfortable writing a recommendation that focuses on X strength, XX strength, or XXX strength. In other words, suggest some things they may be able to write about you that are important for those in hiring capacities to know about you. This gives others a better idea of what to focus on, and helps you support your credentials.

To ease into a request for a recommendation, you might consider the following:

"I am in the process of exploring job opportunities, and wondered if you would be comfortable writing a brief recommendation for me. If you are open to this and have time, it would be great if you could focus on some of the skills that I am trying to leverage, namely, my X skills, XX background, or my XXX industry experience.

Many thanks, in advance,"

For those who are uncomfortable asking for a recommendation, try this:SELECTIVELY provide recommendations on an unsolicited basis for those with whom you've enjoyed working or otherwise have interacted professionally, and whose work you respect. There's nothing like getting a recommendation to make someone's day, and often, if a recipient feels similarly, they may write a recommendation for you, as well. It's best not to expect someone for whom you've written a recommendation to reciprocate in return, but if they opt to "return the favor," it's always a welcome gesture, and will help build your online credibility and reputation. So go ahead, make someone’s day!I hope these tips prove to be helpful in building your repertoire of recommendations.