Writing a strong LinkedIn recommendation is one of the best ways to support a colleague, teammate, or manager while also strengthening your own professional presence. A well-crafted recommendation highlights someone’s skills, achievements, and personality—and helps them stand out to recruiters or potential clients.
This guide will show you how to write a LinkedIn recommendation, step-by-step, along with real examples and templates you can copy and use instantly.
Why LinkedIn Recommendations Matter
LinkedIn recommendations act as powerful social proof that strengthens your professional reputation across the world’s largest career platform. A strong recommendation can help you:
- Build immediate credibility and trust with recruiters, clients, and hiring managers
- Showcase real accomplishments, not just job titles or responsibilities
- Boost your visibility in job searches, since the LinkedIn algorithm favors profiles with high engagement
- Strengthen professional relationships and demonstrate appreciation for colleagues
- Highlight leadership, communication, and collaboration skills in a highly authentic way
A LinkedIn recommendation is more than a compliment—it is a public endorsement that validates your expertise, work ethic, and impact in a real-world environment.
How to Write a LinkedIn Recommendation: The 5-Step Formula
The most effective LinkedIn recommendations follow a clear, structured approach. Use this simple five-step formula to write recommendations that stand out:
1. Start With How You Know Them
Begin by explaining your relationship:
- How long you worked together
- Your roles and connection
- The team, company, or project context
This helps readers understand your credibility and perspective.
Example:
“I had the pleasure of working with Sarah for two years on the digital marketing team at BrightWave Agency.”
2. Highlight Their Best Qualities
Choose one to three strengths that truly define the person. Focus on qualities relevant to their field, such as:
- Leadership and ownership
- Problem-solving
- Communication
- Creativity
- Collaboration
- Strategic thinking
- Reliability
Example:
“Sarah consistently brings creativity, strategic thinking, and positive energy to every campaign.”
3. Mention Specific Achievements
Concrete examples make your recommendation more believable and memorable. Whenever possible, include measurable results or clear contributions.
Example:
“She led a social media campaign that increased brand engagement by 45% and attracted more than 10,000 new followers.”
4. Show Their Impact on the Team or Company
Explain why their contributions mattered. This highlights not just what they did, but how it influenced results or improved the work environment.
Example:
“Her ability to simplify complex ideas helped our team deliver projects faster and significantly improved cross-department communication.”
5. End With a Clear Endorsement
Finish with a confident, positive recommendation. This reinforces your message and gives recruiters a strong final impression.
Example:
“I highly recommend Sarah for any digital marketing role. She would be an incredible asset to any organization.”
LinkedIn Recommendation Templates (Copy & Paste)
Below are expanded, ready-to-use templates you can customize based on your relationship with the person. Each version is polished, professional, and optimized for maximum impact on LinkedIn.
Template 1: For a Coworker
“I had the pleasure of working alongside [Name] for [X years/time period] on the [team/project], and during that time, they consistently demonstrated exceptional [skill/quality]. Their ability to [specific achievement] made a significant, measurable impact on our results and helped the team operate more efficiently.
[Name] is dependable, collaborative, and always willing to step in and support colleagues when needed. They bring positivity, strong work ethic, and genuine problem-solving skills to every task. I wholeheartedly recommend them for any position that requires [key skill/strength], as they would be a valuable asset to any team.”
Template 2: For a Manager
“I reported directly to [Name] for [time period], and they remain one of the most supportive, empowering, and inspiring leaders I’ve had the privilege to work with. Their leadership style emphasizes trust, clarity, and professional growth, which helped me strengthen my abilities in [specific skill] and take on new responsibilities with confidence.
Under their guidance, our team achieved [measurable result], improved communication workflows, and consistently exceeded performance goals.
I highly recommend [Name] as an exceptional manager, strategic thinker, and mentor who brings out the best in their team.”
Template 3: For a Direct Report
“[Name] was part of my team for [time period], and throughout that time, they demonstrated strong professionalism, resourcefulness, and initiative. They played a key role in major projects such as [project], where they successfully [specific achievement], contributing directly to our team’s success.
Their reliability, attention to detail, and positive attitude make them someone who elevates the entire team. I strongly recommend [Name] for roles that require dedication, adaptability, and a proactive mindset.”
Template 4: For a Client or Freelancer
“I had the opportunity to work with [Name] across multiple projects, and their expertise in [field] was evident from the very first collaboration. They consistently delivered high-quality work, communicated clearly, and met every deadline—even under tight timelines.
One standout moment was when they [specific achievement], which greatly improved the project outcome.
I highly recommend [Name] to anyone seeking a reliable, skilled, and results-driven professional.”
Template 5: Short & Simple Recommendation
“[Name] is a talented and dedicated professional. During our time working together, they impressed me with their ability to [strength] and their meaningful contributions to [project/result]. I highly recommend them for future opportunities.”
Tips to Write an Outstanding LinkedIn Recommendation
To make your recommendation stand out, follow these best practices:
- Be specific — generic praise doesn’t help recruiters understand real strengths
- Use measurable results — numbers bring credibility
- Keep it concise but meaningful — aim for 4–7 sentences
- Match the tone to the person’s industry (creative, corporate, technical)
- Be honest and authentic — sincerity builds trust
Example of a Strong LinkedIn Recommendation
“I worked closely with David on the product design team for three years, and he is one of the most innovative and user-focused designers I’ve worked with. David’s attention to detail and deep understanding of user behavior helped us launch three major product features that increased retention by 32%.
He communicates clearly, collaborates effortlessly across teams, and consistently pushes creative boundaries. I strongly recommend David to any organization looking for a talented, forward-thinking designer who brings both creativity and strategic thinking to the table.”
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