When someone speaks highly of you, it amplifies your credibility in ways self-promotion cannot.
Receiving concrete recommendations, especially on LinkedIn, aren't just a checkbox to fill. They serve as powerful endorsements that can fast-track your growth opportunities.
Equally important is the strength of your network. Having supporters in your corner, those willing to vouch for you publicly, builds trust and momentum in your career. These connections act as allies who not only defend your skills but also advocate for your potential, opening doors that might otherwise remain closed.
So how do you actually secure these recommendations effectively, without awkwardness or hesitation?
How do you make the ask so that it doesn't raise flags that you're looking to leave your company but, instead, gather accolades accurately reflecting your work ethic and impact?
How do you use recommendations as a way to reinforce your relationships and build goodwill?
Let's dive in so that you gain high quality recommendations with ease that make all the difference.
Key mistakes that limit your recommendations
Contrary to what you may believe, asking for recommendations should not be all about you.
Now of course, the endorsement itself will be referring to you, but it should always come from a place of gratitude or appreciation for the other person first.
On top of that, here's 3 mistakes that hurt your chances of securing great recommendations:
→ Being vague about what you want: Don’t just ask someone to "write something nice". If you leave the request open-ended, the result may not reflect your professional achievements or align with your goals. It also puts far too much ownness on the other person which can feel like a heavy lift, leading them to say no.
→ Failing to personalize the request: Don't simply send a generic message as it feels transactional. Recommendations are about relationships, so show the person you value their time and unique perspective and provide context as to why you're asking them specifically.
→ Asking too late: Waiting until months (or even years) after working with someone can make it harder for them to recall specific examples of your impact. Timing is key. This is especially important if you're looking to make a transition to a new role. Capitalize on your time in your current role or company to capture those recommendations before you go anywhere.
[Check out my newsletter on How to build a strong professional network]
3 ways to ask for recommendations
1/ From leaders you actively work with
When you’re still collaborating with someone, it’s much easier to frame the conversation and ensure the recommendation reflects your current impact.
You also want to share what you admire about working under their leadership, what you respect about how they manage their teams, or the influence they have had on you.
From there, you will transition to the recommendation ask.
Example communication template:
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​Hi [Name],
I’ve really enjoyed working under your leadership for [specific project/team]. Your guidance on [list out max. 3 key aspects they've supported you on] have been invaluable. It truly helped me to step into this next phase of my career with confidence and deliver some of my best results in these past 6 months alone.
I’d love to hear your perspective on my contributions and how that's been impacting the broader needs of our department. Would you be opposed to writing me a recommendation for my LinkedIn profile? Having your voice represented there would go a long way and mean so much to me, especially given the amazing track record you've established for yourself and your teams.
If helpful, I can share some key highlights to make this quick and easy for you. Let me know what you prefer and we can go from there.
2/ From people you worked with in the recent past
Reconnect with former colleagues or managers by acknowledging your shared experience before making your recommendation request. Start from common ground, piggy back off a recent conversation you've had together, or segway from something you particularly appreciated about working with them.
This will allow your ask to feel genuine and authentic and lead to an easy yes from them in return.
Ideally, make the ask verbally instead of in writing so they can feel the sincerity in your voice. I only recommend using email if it's someone you don't physically see as often.
Example communication template:
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​Hi [Name],
I was reflecting back on our time working together on [specific project/team]. It was such a great learning experience for me, and I still think about [share a specific moment or takeaway]. You always made it feel easy to work through challenges, even in the most difficult moments. I really appreciate that about you.
I also believe that you have a good sense of my work ethic from our time working together and I'd love to have your voice represented on my LinkedIn profile. Would you be opposed to writing me a recommendation? If it helps, I can share some context about what I’d like highlighted or even complete a draft for you to build on. Additionally, I'd be happy to write you a recommendation as well.
Thank you! Your support means so much to me.
3/ For referrals to land new opportunities
This approach combines a recommendation request with a subtle referral ask, positioning you as someone open to new opportunities. This can be helpful for both internal growth and external roles.
Example communication template:
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​Hi [Name],
I’ve always admired your perspective and guidance, especially during our time at [company/project]. As I explore new opportunities in [industry/role], I’m working on strengthening my LinkedIn profile to reflect my latest skills, strengths and experiences.
Would you be opposed to writing a brief recommendation based on our work together? I can even put together a template so it's easy for you to work from and you can simply add to it or edit from there. Would that work well for you? Having your voice represented on my LinkedIn profile would mean so much to me and I know it would hold a lot of weight for new opportunities I pursue.
I'd also be happy to write you a recommendation too as I truly appreciated our time working together at [company/department].
Thanks so much for your time and support. It really means a lot.
The amazing thing about recommendations is that, when asked right, they easily lead the other person to proactively take that next step in recommending you to others and for open positions. This is exactly what happened to my client this past week.
Pro tip: You can proactively write them a recommendation before even making your ask, so that they will be more inclined to return the favour when you approach them.
How will you ask for recommendations moving forward?
Recommendations are more than just words. They’re powerful assets that showcase your value and amplify your professional brand. Whether from current leaders, past colleagues, or connections that can help you land new opportunities, thoughtful requests can open doors you didn’t know existed. Take the first step by reaching out to someone in your network and watch how their endorsement elevates your career.
You've got this!
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This week's mission is aimed at helping you to secure more recommendations. Take intentional steps to request and showcase meaningful recommendations that reflect the value you bring, and that open up more opportunities for you.
1/ Reach out to a current leader
- Identify 1 leader you actively work with who can speak to your current contributions.
- Use the provided template to craft a personalized request and send it by Friday this week.
2/ Reconnect with a past colleague, mentor or boss
- Think of 1 person you worked closely with in the past whose recommendation would highlight your key skills and serve as an accurate representation of your strengths and impact.
- Reach out verbally acknowledging your shared experience before requesting a recommendation.
3/ Plant seeds for future opportunities
- Choose 1 professional in your network who might also serve as a referral source.
- Frame your recommendation request to include an open invitation for them to keep you in mind for new opportunities.
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