More Advice for Those Having Difficulty Securing Linkedin Recommendations

As a follow up to my blog on Linkedin, I have received several questions that likely apply to others, so I am posting them here to further help the job seeker community.

Theodora stated, “There are firms that do not permit their employees to link in via their office computers, and there are firms that do not permit their employees to give written recommendations. Is there a way to overcome this?”

(My response)
Yes, I know of a number of firms who do not permit employees to access Linkedin or other sites on company computers. I also have worked for companies who do not permit employees to provide references in writing. This is a great question to pose to the other members her, or to your outplacement firm. In terms of helping to beef up your references on Linkedin, consider getting references from peers, employees who may have reported to you or others in the organization with whom you’ve worked well and who respect your work. For now, get as many written and on electronic Linkedin references as you can from others. For now, my advice insofar as getting those on Linkedin who are not permitted to provide written feedback, is to work around this by securing these references for later on in the process. For those who cannot provide references in writing, have them provide a telephone reference when you are in final-round interviews.

Another idea is to take excerpts of positive emails you’ve received from co-workers (or a few of the most favorable emails, themselves) from these individuals and craft one document with these excerpts. Many folks send me resumes and a few have begun to attach reference lists which contain "sound bites" from Linkedin and written letters of recommendation. Why not just capture some comments that were not specifically intended as recommendations, but which provide insight into your work ethic, ability to be a team player, etc. Doing this will likely address the employer’s need. I would also suggest that you proactively put a Reference List together of names, titles, phone numbers and email addresses (for those permitted to comment in writing) of ALL references and at the appropriate time (if possible), offer it to employers early on while at live interviews.

Good luck!

Sam asked, “How/where do I ask for a recommendation through Linkedin?”

(My response)
Perhaps the outplacement firm you are going to or someone in your network there or outside of it can explain it in a step-by-step fashion, but if you click on recommendations on the left-hand side, you can access "Recommendations" through the side navigation menu. You can also go into your profile, click on a job, and then click through the list of those you worked with at a particular company. You then can ask those you select to recommend you. Just be sure that before you ask for a recommendation, that you are within the job/company at which those you are requesting recommendations from worked with you. As a third alternative, on the bottom of Linkedin, there is a "Learning Center."

Dona asked, “Similar question as Sam’s request: How do you post a recommendation that was emailed to me...and post to public profile page. Where on my LinkedIn profile is this section located? Thank you, in advance, for your assistance in answering this question.”

(My response)
In my view, the quickest way is through the Linkedin “Learning Center" for your question (or to network with someone at the outplacement firm from which you are receiving services or others in your network who may be able to walk you through the process).

Also, if those who wrote recommendations are members of Linkedin already, just send them the paragraph that they wrote and ask them if they would submit it formally through the Linkedin system. If you think they need a little encouragement to compel them to do so, copy and past my discussion that addresses the "Importance of Recommendations on Linkedin ... and How to Get them."