When you want to impress a hiring manager, LinkedIn recommendations can make a difference. Plus, they can be incredibly beneficial for network-building, allowing you to forge stronger connections with other professionals.
However, you can only experience these benefits if you get AND give recommendations appropriately. If you want to make the most of LinkedIn recommendations, here’s a look at how to maximize this tool’s potential.
The Power of Giving LinkedIn Recommendations
It might not seem like giving a LinkedIn recommendation would impact your career, but it can. It’s a perfect way to strengthen the connection between you and a first-degree contact, giving you a platform to showcase what you admire about their capabilities.
Plus, any recommendations you make also appear on your profile. As a result, other professionals (and potentially hiring managers) can see that you freely give recognition to those who deserve it, and that can work in your favor.
Just make sure if you are going to give a recommendation, that it is sincere, appropriate, and reasonably detailed. Accuracy and authenticity are important. Additionally, you want to make it clear why you are giving a recommendation, as being too vague can hurt you and the recipient.
The Importance of Getting Recommendations
LinkedIn recommendations are essentially a form of employment references. They let people know that other professionals valued your contributions, witnessed an accomplishment, or are willing to put their name behind yours.
Recommendations can significantly boost your profile. It lets hiring managers learn a bit about what you bring to the table from those who’ve worked with you, and that’s incredibly valuable to them.
How to Secure Recommendations from Others
At times, you’ll get LinkedIn recommendations organically. Other members of your network may feel that one is appropriate, and they may take action without additional prompting.
In some cases, giving a LinkedIn recommendation will cause the recipient to send you one in return. However, this process doesn’t have to be reciprocal, so you can’t expect to get one just because you send one.
It’s critical to understand that those aren’t your only options. If you have a strong relationship with someone who could write you an authentic and deserved recommendation, you can reach out and request one. Ideally, this should include direct supervisors, managers, or other higher-ups first. After that, you can branch out into peers and those who reported to you.
Begin by reaching out to the person outside of LinkedIn. Let them know that you’ll be sending a recommendation request and see how they respond. Make sure you are respectful and appreciative when you do, as this can be a big ask.
If they are favorable, you can head back to LinkedIn and ask for the recommendation. Once sent, be patient. Busy professionals can’t drop everything to complete one, so it may take days or weeks.
Ultimately, giving and getting LinkedIn recommendations is a smart move. If you’d like to learn more about how you can use social media to bolster your career or job search, the team at The Squires Group can help. Contact us today and see how our LinkedIn expertise can benefit you.
