A strong LinkedIn profile is more than a professional headline, an impressive About section, or a list of skills. It also helps people understand what working with you is like. That is where LinkedIn recommendations come in.
Whether you are looking for a new job, attracting freelance clients, building your personal brand, or growing your professional network, recommendations can help others understand your value through the experiences of people who have worked with you.But there is one problem. It can sometimes feel uncomfortable to ask someone for a recommendation. You might wonder what to say, whom to approach, or whether asking will make you seem unprofessional.
The good news? It does not have to be complicated.
In this article, you will learn how to request a LinkedIn recommendation, who to ask, and what to write with 10 ready-to-use message examples for different professional relationships.
Why Are LinkedIn Recommendations Important?
Think about the last time you considered hiring a freelancer, joining a company, or working with a professional. You probably wanted to know more than what they claimed about themselves.
You wanted proof.
LinkedIn recommendations offer a way for colleagues, managers, clients, and collaborators to share their experiences of working with you.A thoughtful recommendation can help you:
1. Build professional credibility
A recommendation from someone you have worked with gives others a better idea of your skills and work style. It helps potential employers and clients understand your strengths beyond your job title.
2. Strengthen your personal brand
Your profile communicates what you do. Recommendations can reinforce how you do it, whether that means solving problems, managing projects, creating content, or building strong client relationships.
3. Support your job search
Recruiters and hiring managers can use recommendations as additional context when evaluating candidates. Real examples of your work can help people understand your experience better.
4. Build trust with potential clients
For freelancers and consultants, recommendations can offer social proof of their reliability, communication, and ability to deliver work.
5. Highlight strengths that might otherwise go unnoticed
You may think your best quality is your technical expertise, while a colleague remembers your leadership or your ability to keep a project moving. Recommendations can reveal these different strengths.
Recommendations work best when the rest of your profile supports the same story. Good linkedIn profile optimization helps your headline, About section, experience, skills, Featured section, and recommendations work together instead of feeling disconnected.
How to Request a Recommendation on LinkedIn
Requesting a recommendation is straightforward. You can request a recommendation directly from the person’s LinkedIn profile.
Follow these steps:
Step 1: Open the person's LinkedIn profile
Visit the profile of the manager, colleague, client, mentor, or other professional you want to approach.
Step 2: Click the “More” button
You can find the More option near the main buttons on their LinkedIn profile.
Step 3: Select “Request a recommendation”
If the option is available, select it to open the recommendation request form.
Step 4: Choose your professional relationship
Select the position you held when you worked together and indicate your relationship with the person.
Step 5: Personalize your message
Avoid sending a request that feels copied and pasted. Briefly explain why you are reaching out and, if appropriate, mention a project, responsibility, or experience they can refer to.
Step 6: Send your request
Review the message before sending it. Keep it polite, specific, and easy to respond to.
Note: LinkedIn's interface and available options may change over time, so the exact labels can vary.
10 LinkedIn Recommendation Request Examples
The way you ask for a recommendation should depend on how well you know the person and the work you did together. A message to a former manager will naturally sound different from one sent to a freelance client.
Here are 10 templates you can personalize before sending.
1. How to Ask Your Manager for a LinkedIn Recommendation
A manager can speak about your responsibilities, work ethic, growth, and contribution to the team.
Message template:
Hi [Name],
I really appreciated the opportunity to work with you at [Company]. I learned a lot during that time, particularly while working on [Project or Responsibility].
I'm currently updating my LinkedIn profile and would be grateful if you could write a short recommendation highlighting your experience working with me.
Thank you for your guidance and support. I truly appreciate it!
2. How to Ask a Former Colleague for a Recommendation
Colleagues can offer a valuable perspective on your teamwork, communication, and day-to-day contributions.
Message template:
Hi [Name],
I really enjoyed working with you at [Company], especially on [Project or Task].
I'm refreshing my LinkedIn profile and wanted to ask if you would be comfortable writing a short recommendation about our experience working together.
It would mean a lot to me. Thanks!
3. How to Ask a Client for a LinkedIn Recommendation
For freelancers, consultants, and service providers, client recommendations can help establish credibility with future customers.
Message template:
Hi [Name],
It was great working with you on [Project or Service]. I really appreciated the trust you gave me throughout the work.
I'm currently strengthening my LinkedIn profile and would love to include a recommendation from you about our experience working together.
If you're comfortable sharing a few lines about the collaboration or the outcome, I would really appreciate it. Thank you!
4. How to Ask a Former Boss for a Recommendation
If you have moved on from a role, a former boss can help validate the experience and skills you developed there.
Message template:
Hi [Name],
I hope you're doing well! I've been reflecting on my time at [Company] and wanted to thank you for the opportunities and experience I gained while working with you.
I'm updating my LinkedIn profile and would appreciate a recommendation reflecting your experience managing me, particularly around [Skill, Project, or Responsibility].
Thank you for considering my request!
If you are unsure about how linkedIn messages work, including things like read receipts, follow-ups, and message behavior, understanding the basics first can make your recommendation request feel more confident and professional.
5. How to Ask a Mentor for a LinkedIn Recommendation
Mentors can highlight your development, initiative, and willingness to learn.
Message template:
Hi [Name],
I've really valued your guidance and support throughout [Program, Project, or Period].
I'm currently working on strengthening my professional presence on LinkedIn and would be honored to receive a recommendation from you.
If you're comfortable, it would be wonderful to have your perspective on my growth, strengths, or approach to learning.
Thank you for all your support!
6. How to Ask a Senior Colleague for a Recommendation
You don’t need to work directly under someone to ask them for a recommendation. A senior colleague who has seen your work firsthand may be a great choice.
Message template:
Hi [Name],
I appreciated the opportunity to work alongside you on [Project or Team]. Your insights were valuable, and I learned a lot from our collaboration.
I'm updating my LinkedIn profile and wanted to ask if you would be open to writing a short recommendation about my contribution to the project or the way we worked together.
Thank you for your time!
7. How to Ask a Freelancer or Business Partner for a Recommendation
If you have collaborated with another freelancer, agency, or business partner, their recommendation can highlight your professionalism and ability to work across teams.
Message template:
Hi [Name],
I've really enjoyed collaborating with you on [Project or Client Work].
As I'm updating my LinkedIn profile, I'd love to include a recommendation that reflects our experience working together.
If you're open to it, a few lines about our collaboration, communication, or the value we brought to the project would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks again!
8. How to Ask a Professor or Academic Mentor for a Recommendation
Students and recent graduates can use recommendations to showcase projects, initiative, and academic or professional development.
Message template:
Hello [Name],
I hope you're doing well. I really appreciated your guidance during [Course, Project, or Academic Program].
I'm currently building my professional LinkedIn profile and wanted to ask if you would be comfortable writing a short recommendation highlighting my contribution to [Project or Coursework] and the skills I demonstrated.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
9. How to Ask a Former Intern Supervisor for a Recommendation
An internship supervisor can provide evidence of your ability to learn quickly, take responsibility, and contribute in a professional environment.
Message template:
Hi [Name],
I wanted to thank you for the learning opportunities I received during my internship at [Company].
I'm currently updating my LinkedIn profile and would really appreciate a recommendation based on your experience supervising my work, particularly in areas such as [Content Creation, Research, Communication, or Other Responsibility].
Your feedback would really help me as I continue growing in my career. Thank you!
10. How to Ask Someone You Have Recently Worked With
Sometimes, the best time to ask is shortly after completing a successful project, when the experience is still fresh.
Message template:
Hi [Name],
It was great working with you on [Project]. I really appreciated how we collaborated to get everything done.
I'm updating my LinkedIn profile and thought I'd reach out to ask if you'd be open to writing a short recommendation about our work together.
No pressure at all. I'd really appreciate it if you're comfortable doing so. Thank you!
Who Should You Ask for a LinkedIn Recommendation?
You do not need dozens of recommendations to make your profile credible. Start with a few people who can speak meaningfully about your work.
Consider approaching:
Current or former managers: For responsibilities, performance, and professional growth.
Clients: For service quality, communication, and project outcomes.
Colleagues: For teamwork and collaboration.
Mentors: For development, initiative, and learning.
Project collaborators: For specific contributions and shared results.
Internship supervisors: For early-career experience and practical skills.
The most important factor is not the person's job title. It is whether they have enough firsthand experience to write something genuine and specific about you.
Recommendations become even more useful when they support a clear professional story. A strong linkedIn branding approach brings your profile, content, positioning, and social proof together so people can understand your value more quickly.
What Makes a Good LinkedIn Recommendation?
A useful recommendation goes beyond statements such as “great to work with” or “highly professional.”
The strongest recommendations often include three elements.
1. A clear professional context
Mention how you know the person and what you worked on together.
2. Specific strengths
Mention relevant qualities such as communication, problem-solving, creativity, leadership, or reliability.
3. A concrete example
Where possible, describe a project, contribution, or result that demonstrates those strengths.
For example, instead of writing:
“[Name] is hardworking and professional. I would recommend them.”
A more meaningful recommendation might say:
“I worked with [Name] on several content projects, where they consistently brought fresh ideas and communicated clearly throughout the process. Their ability to understand the audience and turn feedback into practical improvements made our collaboration productive.”
The second example gives readers a clearer understanding of what the person actually contributed.Always ensure that the recommendation accurately reflects the experience and does not exaggerate results.
When Should You Follow Up on a LinkedIn Recommendation Request?
You have sent your request, but there has been no response. Should you send another message?
Give the person around five to seven business days before following up. They may have missed the notification or simply be busy.Keep your follow-up short and considerate.
Follow-up message template:
Hi [Name],
I just wanted to follow up on my LinkedIn recommendation request in case it got lost in your notifications.
I know things can get busy, so there's absolutely no rush. I’d really appreciate it if you get some time to write one.
Thank you!
If they do not respond after the follow-up, give them space. Not everyone will be available or comfortable writing a recommendation, and it is best to respect that.
How to Thank Someone for a LinkedIn Recommendation
When someone writes a recommendation for you, take a moment to thank them for their time and effort.
A short personal message is enough.
Thank-you message template:
Hi [Name],
Thank you for taking the time to write the recommendation. I really appreciate your kind words and support.
It means a lot to have your perspective reflected on my profile. Thank you again!
You can also offer to write a recommendation for them if you’ve worked together and can genuinely speak about their strengths.
5 Tips to Get Better LinkedIn Recommendations
Before sending your next request, keep these practical tips in mind.
1. Ask people who know your work
A recommendation from someone who has worked closely with you is more valuable than a general one from someone who barely knows your work.
2. Make the request personal
Mention a project or experience you shared. It helps the person understand why you approached them.
3. Give them direction without writing it for them
You can suggest a skill, responsibility, or project to mention. Let them express their experience in their own words.
4. Ask at the right time
After a successful project, a completed internship, or a positive client engagement can be a natural time to ask.
5. Keep your LinkedIn profile updated
Recommendations work best as part of a complete professional profile. Make sure your headline, About section, experience, and Featured section accurately reflect your current goals.
While updating these sections, it is also worth checking for common linkedIn profile mistakes that can make an otherwise strong profile feel incomplete, unclear, or less credible.
Final Thoughts
Asking someone for a LinkedIn recommendation doesn’t have to feel awkward. When you approach the right person with a clear, respectful message, you make it easier for them to share their experience working with you.Start with one person who knows your work well. Personalize your request, give them enough context, and remember to say thank you.
Over time, genuine recommendations can become a valuable part of your professional story, helping potential employers, clients, and collaborators understand not only what you do, but how you work.
Ready to strengthen your LinkedIn profile?
Start by identifying two or three people who can speak about your professional strengths and reach out with a personalized recommendation request.A stronger profile begins with authentic proof of the value you bring.
