Step 4 of 6·7 min read
Get Recommendations
Three good recommendations beat ten generic ones. Here's how to ask, and how to write them back.
Why this matters
Recommendations are the only social proof on your profile
Endorsements are easy. Anyone can click 'endorse' on a skill in 3 seconds. Recommendations require someone to write 200 words about you, with specifics. They're a different signal entirely.
Three to five great recommendations spread across managers, peers, and clients is enough. More than that and they all start to read the same. Less than three and your profile feels naked.
Key principle
Tell people what to write. They want you to.
The biggest mistake is asking "would you mind writing me a recommendation?" Most people will say yes, then stare at a blank text box for two weeks. Help them: tell them which trait to focus on and offer to draft something they can edit.
How to ask, in 3 steps
Pick the right person for the right trait
A manager can speak to your delivery and growth. A peer can speak to how you collaborate. A client can speak to what it's like to buy from you. Don't ask all three to say the same thing.
Be specific about what you want highlighted
Not 'say something nice about me.' Tell them: 'Could you focus on how I handled the migration project last year?' This makes their job 10x easier and gets you a much better recommendation.
Offer to draft something
9 out of 10 people will accept the offer to draft because writing about someone else is hard. You write the draft, send it to them, they edit it in their voice and post.
Outreach templates by relationship type
Copy, swap in the specifics, send via LinkedIn message or email.
Asking your manager
For someone you reported to. Focus on growth, delivery, or a specific project.
Hey [name], I'm refreshing my LinkedIn profile and I'd love a recommendation from you. Would you be open to writing a short one? What I'd love you to focus on: [specific trait or moment, e.g. how I handled the [project] migration, or how I grew the team from 3 to 8]. 150-250 words is plenty. If it's easier, I'm happy to draft something for you to edit, just let me know. Either way, thanks for being a great manager. Working with you was [one specific thing you genuinely valued]. [your name]
Asking a peer
For someone you worked alongside. Focus on collaboration or how you operate.
Hey [name], I'm updating my LinkedIn and would love a recommendation from someone who's actually worked with me day-to-day. You're the first person I thought of. If you're up for it, what I'd love you to focus on: [specific trait, e.g. how we partnered on the [project] launch, or what I'm like to collaborate with]. 150-250 words is plenty. Happy to draft something if that's easier, just say the word. I'm always going to be in your corner here. Reach out anytime. [your name]
Asking a client
For someone who hired or paid you. Focus on outcomes and how it felt to work with you.
Hi [name], Hope you're well. I'm refreshing my profile and would love a recommendation from a client perspective, something most of mine don't have. What I'd love you to focus on: [specific outcome you delivered for them]. Or, if it's easier to talk about how the engagement felt to you (responsiveness, communication, results), that works just as well. 150-250 words. Happy to draft something for you to edit if it saves time. Whatever you're up to next, you know where to find me. [your name]