How to Get LinkedIn Recommendations
(Strategy + Ready-to-Use Templates)
Most LinkedIn profiles are missing the one thing that makes a recruiter trust what they are reading. Here is how to fix that — and exactly what to send.
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Most LinkedIn profiles have the same problem. Plenty of experience listed. Reasonable headline. Skills section ticked off. And then — nothing from anyone else.
No recommendations. Just a blank space where social proof should be.
Recruiters notice that. So do hiring managers. A recommendation is not just a nice extra on your profile. In 2026, with AI-written CVs flooding every inbox, a genuine human vouch for your work carries more weight than it ever has.
Here is how to get them — without it being awkward.
Why LinkedIn Recommendations Actually Matter
Think about what a recruiter sees when they land on your profile. Your headline, your summary, your experience — all written by you, about you.
A recommendation is the only part of your profile written by someone else. That shift in perspective is valuable. It tells a recruiter not just what you did, but what it was like to work with you.
That is the gap most profiles have. You can list a project all you like. But when a former manager writes "Brian restructured our entire onboarding process and cut induction time by 40%" — that lands differently than you writing the same thing about yourself.
One or two strong recommendations will do more for your profile than three extra jobs on your experience section.
Who to Ask
Start here: who has seen your work up close and has something specific to say about it?
The answer is almost never your most senior contact. A recommendation from a CEO who barely knows you is worth less than one from a direct line manager who can speak to exactly what you delivered.
The strongest recommendations come from:
- Direct line managers or supervisors (most credible to recruiters)
- Colleagues you worked closely with on a specific project
- Clients or stakeholders who saw the impact of your work
- Team members you managed (shows leadership from a different angle)
- Mentors or course tutors, if you are early in your career
A note on volume: two or three targeted, specific recommendations beat ten generic ones. Quality signals effort. A profile with a dozen two-line recommendations that all say some version of "great to work with!" reads as padding. Recruiters see straight through it.
How to Ask — The Part Most People Get Wrong
The most common mistake: asking out of nowhere with no context and no direction.
Something like: "Hi, hope you're well. Would you be able to write me a LinkedIn recommendation?" lands poorly. It puts all the work on the other person. They have to figure out what to say, remember specific details, and find time to write it. Most people mean to do it but never get round to it.
Make it easy for them. That is the key.
When you ask:
- Remind them of the specific project or period you worked together
- Mention one or two things you delivered that you'd like highlighted
- Offer a rough structure or a few bullet points they can work from
- Give them a clear, relaxed timeframe
You are not telling them what to write. You are giving them a starting point. Most people are relieved to have it — writing from a blank page is hard.
Recommendation Request Templates
Use these as starting points. Adjust the tone to match your relationship with the person.
TEMPLATE A — For a Former Line Manager
"Hi [Name],
Hope you're keeping well.
I'm currently updating my LinkedIn profile as I explore new opportunities — and I wanted to ask if you'd be willing to write me a recommendation.
I was thinking specifically about [project/period] when [brief description of what you did together]. If it helps as a starting point, a couple of things I'd love you to be able to speak to are [specific skill or achievement] and [specific impact or outcome].
I completely understand if you're stretched for time — and there's no rush. If it helps, I'm happy to draft something for you to edit.
Thanks for everything during [that period].
[Your name]"
TEMPLATE B — For a Colleague or Peer
"Hi [Name],
Quick one — I'm tidying up my LinkedIn as I start looking at new roles and was wondering if you'd be up for writing me a recommendation?
I was thinking about our work on [project] — particularly [what you both did]. If you could mention [a specific skill or result], that would be brilliant. Happy to return the favour if that's ever useful.
No pressure at all, and no rush.
[Your name]"
TEMPLATE C — For a Client or Stakeholder
"Hi [Name],
I hope [project/work context] has been going well since we wrapped up.
I'm refreshing my LinkedIn profile and would really value a recommendation from you — specifically around [what you delivered for them] and [the outcome it produced]. Even a few lines would make a real difference.
If it's easier, I could draft a few bullet points for you to work from?
Thanks very much.
[Your name]"
What Makes a Good Recommendation — And How to Guide It
Not all recommendations are created equal. The ones that actually move the needle are specific, results-oriented, and speak to skills relevant to where you are going next — not just where you have been.
If you are changing careers, this matters even more. A recommendation that only speaks to your work in your current sector may not translate well. When you brief the person, gently steer them toward transferable skills — things like stakeholder management, problem-solving, or leading change — that will land in your target sector.
A strong recommendation typically does three things:
- States the context (how they know you, in what capacity)
- Describes what you did and how you did it
- Speaks to the impact or outcome
If the person asks for help drafting, do not just send them your CV. Write three bullet points: the situation, what you specifically did, and the result. That gives them everything they need in a format they can turn into a natural-sounding recommendation quickly.
A Word on Returning the Favour
Offer it. Genuinely.
If you are asking someone to take time out of their day to write about you, the right thing to do is offer to write one for them in return. Many people will decline — but the offer matters. It signals that this is a two-way professional relationship, not a one-sided favour request.
When you write recommendations for others, the same principles apply. Be specific. Mention real work and real outcomes. Generic recommendations written in minutes are obvious to anyone reading them.
One More Thing
Do not wait until you are job searching to ask for recommendations. The best time to ask is shortly after a project ends, when the work is fresh and the relationship is warm. A recommendation written six months after you delivered something is almost always more vivid and specific than one written two years later.
If you have not asked anyone yet and you have been in your current role for a year or more — this week is a good time to start.
Not sure what your LinkedIn profile is missing or how to position it for a move? That is something Leap Forward Careers can look at with you directly.
Ready to Strengthen Your LinkedIn Profile?
Recommendations are one piece of the puzzle. Leap Forward Careers offers full LinkedIn profile reviews and career coaching for UK job seekers — whether you are changing sector, returning to work, or trying to get noticed by the right people.
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