LinkedIn recommendations... do they 'do' anything?

Question

Lately, I've been asked to recommend co-workers via LinkedIn. So many questions: do potential employers read them? Do I ask the people who've asked me to reciprocate? Do these recommendations have any value, as who would write a BAD reco? Thx as always...

Bernadette Sheridan · Answer

I think they have some value in terms of backing up who you say you are, but I don't think you need a large number of them. For example, as a manager, I would focus on 3 types of people: For example, I would want to show recc's from someone I reported to, from at least one of my direct reports, and one from an equal colleague.

Jane Scandurra · Answer

As someone who trains professionals on leveraging social media to drive business opportunity, I think recommendations do make a difference. Years ago, I used to think it was all fluff - a mutual, meaningless 'love fest,' but times have changed. Aside from what you write about yourself, recommendations from others add 'color' to your profile and tend to focus more on soft skills and what it's like to work with you vs your job responsibilities and accomplishments. When there are more than a few, you start to see a trend in qualities and personality that could paint a picture and influence opinion.

Agree with Bernadette (above) on the different types of people to request recommendations from. I would add clients (if appropriate for your job), especially if you are in a sales/biz dev/support role.

Laura Scalone · Answer

Great question! My position is being eliminated in a month, so I've been getting my coworkers to write my recommendations on LinkedIn. My hope was that they'd work. Thanks to the comments on your question, I'm feeling much better about that now.

Ariana Nunez · Answer

They are extremely valuable. I know I read them when I am looking at someone's profile.

Kathryn Hurchla · Answer

Yes I read them, it matters who’s words and nature of their relationship which in a good one you generally can tell. Always more powerful than the person’s own About bio, it’s like the real 3rd person with specifics.

Barb Hansen · Answer

Yes! As a hiring manager, I read the recommendations on a potential hires.  Of course, they are going to be good recommendations but I think they bring different shades to the  color commentary of a person's career.  And I try to leave recommendations for colleagues as well  - it's a nice to shine a public light on good work.

Sandra Diaz · Answer

I think it's a good way to strengthen your relationship with the people that you are recommending, which you may be able to leverage later on. You can also ask them to recommend you.

LinkedIn recommendations... do they "do" anything?

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