Comments on: LinkedIn Recommendations and Other Recommendations: So What???

By: Christine Sutherland

Christine Sutherland — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 07:07:36 +0000

I don’t use recommendations with spelling or grammatical errors, and nor do I use those that sound unprofessional or describe me in “fluffy” ways.

For instance I operate at the most senior levels of organisations including board level. And yet recently someone sent along a recommendation on the basis that I had a “fun-loving nature and brightened up a room”. Completely inappropriate for my target arena.

If it’s close to being OK I might ask for spelling corrections once. If it comes back still flawed I just ignore it.

I feel that it’s quite offensive to offer sub-standard material as a recommendation, so it doesn’t bother me to request corrections or to hit the reject button.

I may be fun loving, but not when it comes to quality or standards.

By: Steven Burda, MBA

Steven Burda, MBA — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 22:16:10 +0000

Well said in the post, thanks Jason!

- Steven Burda
http://www.linkedin.com/in/burda

By: Walter Feigenson

Walter Feigenson — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 09:17:14 +0000

Sorry for the late reply. While it is sometimes possible to ask that a recommendation be corrected, some people actually take offense. That happened to me once – I got something so bad that I wouldn’t display it. I rewrote it and sent it to the person who wrote the original recommendation, and I never even got an answer. Nevertheless, the recommendations are a reflection on me, so while I give writers some latitude, I’m the final arbiter.

By: Brian Moore

Brian Moore — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 06:09:30 +0000

Thanks for the post Jason, good ideas worth sharing. I’m with August re getting permission. I have many testimonials on my site, but when deciding to publish a book, I went back to all referees, asking permission to use their testimonials in a different medium. Every one of them thanked me for asking and gave their permission. They basically want to know where their names and thoughts are going to be seen. I also think that using exerpts (if including referee’s name) needs permission, as it’s all about context. I always take the time to ask, simply shows respect

Be your best and love your life
Brian

By: Bob Roman

Bob Roman — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 13:33:19 +0000

Thanks Jason,

I just remembered, I should give your DVD a recommendation on Amazon as well. I have been encouraging people to buy it when I teach LinkedIn at the Crossroads Career Group at Elmbrook Church in Milwaukee, WI. One guy put it in his laptop to try it out and he may be ordering it! I also promote your book of course, especially to my baby boomer friends who are struggling with LinkedIn.

Bob Roman
Milwaukee, WI.
pctrainerbob@yahoo.com

By: Linsey Levine

Linsey Levine — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 12:50:23 +0000

excellent advice – but I think if you use someone’s quote, you must correct the spelling or put the [sic] sign in.
“I got more helpful information from this DVD THAN from reading 3 SEPARATE books on LinkedIn.”
(from my former editor/teacher self)

By: Jos Essers

Jos Essers — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 11:55:28 +0000

Jason, one question pops my mind. In the US there is new legislation about recommendations and testimonials. They should be true and verifiable (taht the right word??) In the Netehrlands we do not (yet) have such law but it will come soon. Cutting a testimonial into various parts, might leave out the verifiable part. Or not?? How would you handle that??
Best regards

Jos Essers
http://www.linkedin.com/in/josessers

By: Eleanor Farmer

Eleanor Farmer — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 03:41:49 +0000

Great post, Jason. I have to admit I’m guilty of the same thing Jennifer confessed to: Advising my client to use recommendations in their marketing and not doing the same for myself. Hello-o?

By: Daniel Johnson, Jr.

Daniel Johnson, Jr. — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 02:27:05 +0000

One guy I interview for How I Got My Job said he put these phrases splashed together in a document that he’d send along with his resume. It stood out.

By: Robert Goldasich

Robert Goldasich — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 01:00:38 +0000

Good post, Jason. In almost every interview that I’ve had, the inevitable question of “How would a past supervisor describe your performance” or something of a similar nature is asked. By copying and pasting all of your Linkedin recommendations into a single Word document and printing it off, you can smile and say, “I’m glad that you asked me that question.” as you pass your prepared list across the table to the interviewer. This is a technique that has worked well for me in the past.