LinkedIn recommendation request message
The reason most people skip your request is that writing one from scratch feels like work. Tell them what to cover and it becomes five minutes.
Hi [their first name], I am updating my LinkedIn profile and thinking about the people I enjoyed working with most. Would you be open to writing a short recommendation? If it helps, I would be grateful if you touched on [what you would like them to mention] from [a project you shared]. A few sentences is plenty, and I am happy to write one for you in return. Thanks for considering it. [your name]
How to get it right
- Send it as a personal message with a short note, not the default request button text. Personal requests are answered far more often.
- Offer to write one in return. Many people reciprocate.
- Mention the project and the quality you want highlighted. That is the part they would otherwise have to think about.
- Aim for two or three recommendations from managers or clients in the last five years, not a long list.
Questions about this template
- How long should a recommendation be?
- Three to five sentences. A specific result with a name or number beats general praise.
- Can I write it for them?
- Offering a draft is fine if they ask for one. Never post anything under someone else’s name without them reading and approving it.
- Who is the best person to ask?
- A manager or client who saw you deliver. If you were laid off and your manager left, a peer or cross-team partner works.
Read the guide
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