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Anonymous
10/02/19 at 8:27PM UTC
in
Career

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

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...

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Laura Scalone
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212
New Mom looking for New Career Path
10/08/19 at 6:44PM UTC
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.
Anonymous
10/08/19 at 6:47PM UTC
You're welcome and such a great idea to get reco's before you go. So sorry to hear about the job elimination, but you're already a step ahead of the people who didn't think first. Best of luck in finding a new, better job!
Ariana Nunez
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388
Sprints and meetings in NYC.
10/08/19 at 1:39PM UTC
They are extremely valuable. I know I read them when I am looking at someone's profile.
Kathryn Hurchla
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23
Data visualization developer & designer
10/04/19 at 9:46AM UTC
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
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6.66k
Startup Product, Growth & Strategy
10/03/19 at 2:56PM UTC
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.
Anonymous
10/03/19 at 3:05PM UTC
Thank you for you POV, especially as a hiring manager. Makes total sense.
Sandra Diaz
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764
I leverage data and systems to deliver results.
10/03/19 at 1:40AM UTC
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.
Anonymous
10/03/19 at 1:58AM UTC
Thank you and yes, I will ask people to reco me!
Jane Scandurra
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71
10/02/19 at 10:07PM UTC
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.
Gillianne Hetrick
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426
HR Manager & Non-Profit Director
10/03/19 at 12:44PM UTC
This is great feedback! I've often wondered that myself and always take a moment when asked to write a recommendation on LinkedIn. As a hiring manager I never gave much credence to recommendations as of course they would be positive. When working in HR I read between the lines with recommendations - what are they not being recommended for and what is the person leaving out of the discussion.
Anonymous
10/03/19 at 12:49AM UTC
I appreciate the insightful feedback! Serendipitously, one of my favorite recruiters asked for a reco today. She's relocating to the west coast. Whoever reads her reco page will see my positive words and (hopefully) think, "Hey, this recruiter is legit!" Thanks again...
Bernadette Sheridan
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3.26k
Design & UX leader
10/02/19 at 9:01PM UTC
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.

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