If you’ve ever wondered whether writing a LinkedIn recommendation for someone in your network is worth it—it is. LinkedIn is the go-to place for professional networking, and a well-written recommendation is like a gold star on someone’s virtual resume. It’s a simple way to recognize great work, support your colleagues, and contribute to a more connected, credible professional community. In this post, I’m sharing a straightforward 4-part formula to help you write recommendations that feel sincere, meaningful, and easy to put together.
As of 2025, LinkedIn has over 1 billion members worldwide, making it the world’s largest professional networking platform—basically, the internet’s go-to place for all things career-related. People use LinkedIn to build professional connections, showcase their experience and skills, find jobs (or hire great talent), share insights and thought leadership, and stay up to date on industry news and trends. It’s also where a well-written recommendation can go a long way in boosting someone’s credibility—and yours too.
Within your LinkedIn profile, you have the option to add a recommendations section. It’s basically the digital version of saying, “This person is awesome—and here’s why.” They’re short blurbs you can write to recognize someone’s strengths, character, and contributions at work, and they show up right on their profile for all the world (or at least recruiters) to see. Taking a few minutes to write one isn’t just good karma—it’s a great way to support people you’ve enjoyed working with and can be a meaningful gesture to support someone who experienced a layoff.
Besides providing recommendations, you can also request recommendations from people you are connected with and who can speak to their experience working with you. Here’s a short tutorial on how to request a recommendation.
With a well-crafted message, you can:
- Celebrate team contributions in a more public way
- Help others in your network get visibility for their strengths
- Receive LinkedIn recommendations from grateful colleagues in return!
“We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.”
— Winston Churchill
A Four-Part Formula for Writing a Great LinkedIn Recommendation
Deciding to write a recommendation is easy, but sitting in front of a blank text box can feel daunting.
Rather than guessing what to say or getting stuck trying to sound impressive, I recommend using this 4-part formula. This structure provides a clear path that includes what matters most: personal context, key strengths, a memorable example, the impact of their work, and a note of appreciation.
This approach will help your message feel both authentic and effective, and you don’t need to be a great writer to do it!
Here’s a short YouTube demo to see the step by step instructions.
Part 1. Opening (Context)
Say how you know them. Were they your manager? A peer? Did you collaborate across departments?
➞ I had the pleasure of working with [Name] at [Company] as a [your relationship – e.g., colleague, manager, client, mentee].
Part 2. Middle (Strengths & Examples)
Mention one or two qualities that stood out to you. Are they a steady leader? An ideas person? A great communicator?
➞ [Name] is [describe 1–2 standout qualities – e.g., a thoughtful leader, a sharp strategist, a natural collaborator]. During our time working together, [he/she/they] [give a specific example of what they did – e.g., led a successful product launch, revamped a key process, mentored junior team members].
Part 3. Impact (Why it Mattered)
Why did that moment matter? Who did it help? What changed?
➞ Their [strength or project] had a lasting impact on [team, company, or clients]. It was a testament to their [values – e.g., commitment, creativity, or leadership].
Part 4. Closing (Endorsement or Gratitude)
Wrap it up with a warm, honest send-off.
➞ I’m [grateful/impressed/confident] that [Name] continues to [positive behavior – e.g., advocate for others, lead with clarity, deliver results]. [Optional: Any team would be lucky to have them.]
LinkedIn Recommendation Checklist
Did you take all the steps? Review and refine your LinkedIn recommendation by checking off these boxes of best practices.
☐ State how you know them and in what context you worked together
☐ Mention one to two key strengths or qualities
☐ Include at least one concrete example or story
☐ Describe the impact of their work or leadership
☐ End with a note of gratitude or a clear endorsement
☐ Keep it authentic, transparent and under 200 words
☐ Proofread for grammar and typos
Need more support? This article from The Muse includes additional examples worth checking out.
How to Keep Showing Up
The best LinkedIn recommendations aren’t the most polished; they’re the most honest. You don’t need the perfect words or a flashy opening. What matters is taking a moment to name the impact someone had based on your experience. Maybe they mentored you through your first product launch. Or perhaps they ran awesome meetings with an icebreaker that brought the fun when everything else felt hard. They might have shown up with consistency and care, with a decisive leadership style.
Whatever it is, write it down. Offer to post it on their profile so others can see what you already know: their work matters and has made a difference.
By weaving LinkedIn reviews into your regular reputation-building practice, you ultimately strengthen your network, deepen your relationships, and demonstrate the kind of leader or collaborator you are. It’s a win-win for everyone.
So here’s your nudge: This week, choose one person you’ve worked with who made your work life better. Share something real about how. That’s how we build a culture of recognition, one message at a time.
Thanks for reading and sharing! xx
