Comments on: LinkedIn Recommendation Thoughts

By: Do Recommendations Matter? « Marenated

Do Recommendations Matter? « Marenated — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 21:33:04 +0000

[...] But the truth is, most people see this as “iffy”. A recruiter wants to hear from people who’ve actually worked with you, not vendors eager to please, or folks from your BNI group. Maybe there are cases where asking [...]

By: Anne Carey

Anne Carey — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 21:21:21 +0000

I have found that people are uncomfortable writing recommendations. I find it difficult myself. It’s sometimes difficult to describe specific ways this person did a good job (or whatever). I’m even having trouble typing this email!

I do think that sending requests for recommendations can make someone think of it — it’s not that they don’t think you are good enough, it’s that a) they never thought about it; and b) they don’t know what to write. If you invite them, they are more likely to do it.

That said, I like the suggestion of saying “if you thought my work was outstanding, I’d appreciate your sharing your thoughts.” I think I will use that in the future.

Since I am either the client or the co-worker, I haven’t asked anyone to recommend me that I wouldn’t recommend. I usually ended up doing it after, which I now realize is not the way to do it!

Thanks for all your points of view and ideas.

Carey (my nickname)
(Anne) Carey, CMP
Meetings and Events Professional

By: 10 ways to get yourself a new job (in events) with LinkedIn

10 ways to get yourself a new job (in events) with LinkedIn — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 11:11:59 +0000

[...] – LinkedIn Reccommendations Toughts [...]

By: Sean Nelson

Sean Nelson — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 21:38:01 +0000

Van,

Point taken. As a self-employed person my point of view did not consider those who are employed in a capacty where they do not deal directly with clients. In those cases I am going to review the recommendation for specific things that provide the basis for the recommendation. If it’s simply “he’s a great guy” then I would consider that still candy. But if talks about performance, etc. then I would judge that on a higher level.

By: Adam G

Adam G — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 23:55:11 +0000

I have a more general question about Linked In, as I am very new to it. What generally is the accepted protocol in adding new friends? Is it somewhat free and easy like Myspace or Facebook, where it’s OK to pretty much click on anyone’s profile and reach out? Or is it severely limited and conservative and you can only click on already existing real-life friends or close colleagues? How does one reach out to new networks and new potential clients?

By: Peter M

Peter M — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 20:08:33 +0000

I’ve found recommendationa as an oppourtunity to give back to people I respected and worked with especially if it was in the past.
With long work histories I have found it has added a continuity that might otherwise be missing. It also helps break down many of the time age constraints in the application process. I am glad to find people I worked with 20 years ago and see they have moved on nicely. I still remember the things that made the person special to me if that makes sense. In one case during lay offs corporate never let us give recommendations. HR made contrary promises but now finally I can say some kind words.
As for the number I try to be selective but if it is someone form the past I usually give them a recommenation and I don’t expect anything back. I’m grateful to reconnect.
I do ask for recommendations on newer jobs especially if they are contract assignments of a year. the recommendation helps with the time period.

By: Van

Van — Fri, 11 Jul 2008 16:58:53 +0000

Sean,

I get your point about recriprocal recommendations between peers that simply say they are a great person in a generic fashion. However, your characterization of recommendations by co-workers as being eye candy is a bit extreme. Some of us are not service providers. We work in teams to produce products. In that context, a specific recommendation from another team member about my accomplishments is significant. For the kind of work I do, I would have questions about someone with lots of experience and no recommendations from past co-workers. One person’s eye candy is another persons staple meal. =)

By: Evan

Evan — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 21:04:51 +0000

I think of my resume/bio on LI as an advertisement of my services. This means that I seek recs that would appeal to either a hiring mgr or someone that I might do business with. I value recs from managers or clients — those who have direct insight into my work.

I have noticed that most recs in profiles come from colleagues. Those recs may be nice to see on a profile but they don’t carry the same weight as a rec from a mgr or client. Many coworkers simply want to be nice when approached for a rec. They may base their rec more on their impression of a person rather than direct knowledge of their work, skills and expertise.

By: Sean Nelson

Sean Nelson — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 19:05:50 +0000

One other comment I meant to make. I’m not a fan of the reciprocal recommendation. I do not want a recommendation from someone who feels they owe me one because I gave them one. I don’t even want one saying what a great guy I am (debatable).

The recommendation I want is from a client. It’s the one that will help me stay high in the Service Providers listing. It has true value. The other types are eye candy.

By: Sean Nelson

Sean Nelson — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 19:01:35 +0000

Jason,

I agree with almost every one of your points. I have different thoughts on requesting a recommendation. My perspective is that it is acceptable to request a reccommendation from a client that you have worked for. I simply send an email telling them that I am building my profile on LI and if they felt that the work that I did for them was outstanding, I would appreciate them sharing their thoughts.

I only request them from people I have provided a service to. On the flip side I do get requests from contacts to recommend them even though I am not a client of theirs. Most of these are from people I have known long term in my chamber. I write a recommendation based on my experience in knowing them, so it’s more of a character recommendation.

For those requests that I get from people I have just, I let them kow I need to get to know them better over time before I would be comfortable doing so.

Letters of recommendation have been around for a long term and the same standards hold true for LinkedIn.