LinkedIn Recommendation Examples: The Ultimate Guide to Stellar Recommendations in 2025

LinkedIn recommendations have become a crucial element of professional networking and personal branding in today’s digital-first job market. A thoughtfully written recommendation on LinkedIn can significantly boost someone’s credibility, highlight their strengths, and potentially open doors to new opportunities. But crafting the perfect recommendation isn’t always straightforward – what should you include? How long should it be? What’s the right tone?

Whether you’re looking to recommend a colleague, manager, employee, or friend on LinkedIn, having quality examples to reference can make the process much easier. This comprehensive guide explores great LinkedIn recommendation examples for various professional relationships, breaks down what makes them effective, and offers practical templates you can customize.

Why LinkedIn Recommendations Matter

Before diving into examples, it’s important to understand why LinkedIn recommendations are valuable. Unlike endorsements (which require just a single click), recommendations are personalized testimonials that describe someone’s professional capabilities and character in detail.

Here’s why they’re so powerful:

• They serve as social proof from people who have directly worked with you
• They highlight specific skills and achievements that might not be evident from your profile alone
• They add depth and credibility to your professional story
• They demonstrate your ability to build meaningful professional relationships
• They can influence hiring decisions when recruiters review your profile

According to LinkedIn’s own data, profiles with recommendations receive significantly more views than those without them. This makes both giving and receiving quality recommendations an essential part of your LinkedIn strategy.

Elements of an Excellent LinkedIn Recommendation

Before examining specific examples, let’s understand what makes a LinkedIn recommendation truly effective:

1. Specific context – Explain how you know the person and the capacity in which you worked together
2. Personal touch – Include genuine insights about working with them that only you could provide
3. Concrete examples – Mention specific projects, achievements, or situations that demonstrate their skills
4. Unique qualities – Highlight what makes them stand out from others in similar roles
5. Professional impact – Describe the tangible difference they made to your team, company, or project
6. Concise delivery – Keep it between 3-5 paragraphs for readability
7. Authentic voice – Write in your natural speaking style without excessive jargon

With these elements in mind, let’s explore examples for different professional relationships.

LinkedIn Recommendation Examples for Colleagues

Example 1: For a Software Developer Colleague

“I had the privilege of working alongside Alex for three years on the backend development team at TechCorp. What immediately impressed me about Alex was their exceptional problem-solving ability, particularly when tackling complex database optimization challenges that others had struggled with for months.

During our collaboration on the customer portal rebuild, Alex not only delivered their components ahead of schedule but also created detailed documentation that became the standard for our entire department. Their knowledge of microservices architecture and commitment to clean code significantly reduced our technical debt.

Beyond technical skills, Alex’s willingness to mentor junior developers and provide thoughtful code reviews elevated our entire team’s performance. I’ve rarely encountered someone who combines technical excellence with such genuine collaborative spirit. Any development team would be fortunate to have Alex’s contributions.”

Example 2: For a Marketing Colleague

“During the two years Sarah and I collaborated in the marketing department at GrowthBrand, I witnessed firsthand her exceptional ability to translate complex product features into compelling customer stories. Her creative approach to our Q4 campaign directly contributed to a 27% increase in qualified leads.

What sets Sarah apart is her rare combination of creative thinking and analytical rigor. She doesn’t just develop innovative content strategies; she meticulously tracks their performance and optimizes based on data. Her presentation skills are equally impressive—I’ve seen her captivate rooms of skeptical executives and turn them into enthusiastic supporters.

Sarah’s positive energy and collaborative approach make her an invaluable team member who elevates everyone around her. I would welcome any opportunity to work with her again and wholeheartedly recommend her for any strategic marketing role.”

LinkedIn Recommendation Examples for Managers

Example 1: For a Direct Manager

“I had the pleasure of working under Jennifer’s leadership for four years at StrategyPartners. As a department head, Jennifer exemplified what great leadership looks like: clear vision combined with genuine care for her team’s growth.

What impressed me most was Jennifer’s ability to provide both strategic direction and operational freedom. She clearly articulated our department’s objectives while trusting us to determine the best path to achieve them. During the challenging company restructuring in 2023, Jennifer advocated for our team’s resources and created psychological safety when uncertainty was at its peak.

Jennifer’s commitment to developing her team members stands out particularly. She identified my interest in data analytics and created opportunities for me to lead projects in that area, which ultimately shaped my career path. Any organization would benefit immensely from her thoughtful, results-oriented leadership approach.”

Example 2: For a Project Manager

“Working with Richard on the global supply chain optimization project was an education in effective project management. Over 18 months, I watched him coordinate teams across five countries, navigate complex stakeholder expectations, and deliver results that exceeded our original targets by 15%.

Richard’s exceptional ability to break down complex problems into manageable workstreams kept our team focused and efficient. His calm demeanor during unexpected challenges—like the procurement system failure mid-implementation—provided stability when we needed it most. His transparent communication style meant everyone always understood their priorities and how they connected to the broader project vision.

Beyond his technical skills, Richard’s emotional intelligence in managing diverse personalities and conflicting priorities was remarkable. He created an environment where team members felt heard while still maintaining our critical timeline. I would recommend Richard without hesitation to any organization looking for a project manager who genuinely delivers both results and team cohesion.”

LinkedIn Recommendation Examples for Direct Reports

Example 1: For a Junior Colleague

“I had the pleasure of supervising Maya during her three years as a Customer Success Specialist on my team. From day one, Maya demonstrated exceptional attention to detail and genuine empathy for customer challenges that set her apart.

What impressed me most was Maya’s proactive approach to improving our customer onboarding process. She identified several friction points and developed a streamlined solution that reduced implementation time by 35% and significantly improved satisfaction scores. Her ability to translate customer feedback into actionable improvements became invaluable to our product development team.

Maya consistently sought opportunities to expand her skills, taking on increasingly complex accounts and eventually mentoring new team members. Her positive attitude remained unwavering even during our busiest periods. Any organization would be fortunate to have Maya’s customer-first mindset and continuous improvement approach on their team.”

Example 2: For a Team Member in Sales

“During the two years David worked on my enterprise sales team, he consistently demonstrated why he’s among the most effective sales professionals I’ve encountered in my 15-year career. His meticulous approach to understanding client business challenges before proposing solutions resulted in an impressive 78% close rate on qualified opportunities.

What sets David apart is his exceptional ability to navigate complex organizational structures and build relationships with diverse stakeholders. I witnessed him turn several initially skeptical procurement teams into advocates through his transparent communication style and deep product knowledge. The multi-year contract he secured with IndustryCorp—which other representatives had pursued unsuccessfully for years—showcases his remarkable persistence and strategic thinking.

David’s willingness to share his approach with newer team members significantly improved our department’s overall performance. Any sales organization would benefit from his consultative selling skills and collaborative spirit.”

LinkedIn Recommendation Examples for Business Partners

Example for a Business Partner or Consultant

“I’ve had the privilege of collaborating with Michelle and her consulting firm on three major digital transformation initiatives over the past four years. Each time, Michelle has demonstrated an extraordinary ability to quickly grasp our complex industry challenges and translate them into actionable strategies that deliver measurable results.

What separates Michelle from other consultants is her genuine partnership approach. Rather than presenting predetermined solutions, she invests time understanding our unique organizational context and co-creates strategies with our team. The customer experience redesign she guided us through increased retention by 23% and has become a case study in effective digital transformation.

Michelle’s exceptional communication skills allow her to build trust across departments and hierarchical levels. Whether presenting to our executive committee or conducting workshops with frontline employees, she adjusts her approach while maintaining clarity and focus. I recommend Michelle without reservation to any organization seeking transformative results delivered through true partnership.”

LinkedIn Recommendation Examples in Specialized Fields

Example for an Engineer/Developer

“I collaborated with Raj on the enterprise architecture team for three years, and his technical expertise consistently impressed everyone he worked with. Raj’s deep knowledge of both legacy systems and cutting-edge technologies enabled him to design integration solutions that others considered impossible.

What makes Raj exceptional is his rare combination of technical brilliance and communication clarity. He can explain complex architectural concepts to non-technical stakeholders in ways that build understanding and confidence. The microservices framework he designed not only improved our system performance by 40% but was implemented with minimal disruption because he secured buy-in across departments.

Raj’s commitment to mentoring junior engineers through weekly architecture sessions created a learning culture that benefited our entire organization. Any company looking for an engineer who combines technical excellence with collaborative leadership would be fortunate to work with Raj.”

Example for a Marketing Manager

“During my two years collaborating with Elena on cross-functional initiatives, I witnessed firsthand her exceptional ability to drive marketing strategies that deliver measurable business outcomes. Elena’s comprehensive campaign for our enterprise product line not only increased qualified leads by 45% but also shortened the sales cycle by establishing clear market positioning.

What distinguishes Elena is her data-informed creative approach. While many marketers excel at either analytical thinking or creative development, Elena seamlessly integrates both. She transformed our content strategy by implementing attribution modeling that precisely measured each asset’s contribution to the customer journey, allowing for continuous optimization.

Elena’s collaborative leadership style brings out the best in cross-functional teams. She creates environments where diverse perspectives are valued, while still maintaining focus on clear objectives. Any organization would benefit from her strategic thinking and results-oriented approach to marketing leadership.”

How to Ask for a LinkedIn Recommendation

Getting great recommendations starts with making thoughtful requests. Here’s how to ask effectively:

1. Choose the right people – Select individuals who have directly observed your work and can speak to specific skills or achievements
2. Personalize each request – Mention specific projects you worked on together or skills you’d like them to highlight
3. Make it easy – Offer to provide bulleted information about your contributions they might reference
4. Be specific – Indicate particular aspects of your work you’d like highlighted
5. Time it appropriately – Ask while your work together is still fresh in their mind
6. Offer reciprocity – Volunteer to write a recommendation for them as well

Example of a LinkedIn Recommendation Request

“Hi [Name],

I hope you’re doing well! I’ve really valued our time working together on [specific project/team], and I’m currently updating my LinkedIn profile to better reflect my professional experience.

Would you be willing to write a brief recommendation focusing on our work together, particularly around [specific skill/achievement you want highlighted]? I’d be happy to write one for you as well if that would be helpful.

Thank you for considering this request, and please let me know if you need any additional information from me.

Best regards, [Your Name]”

How to Write a Recommendation on LinkedIn: Step-by-Step

If someone has asked you for a recommendation, here’s a simple process to write something meaningful:

1. Log in to your LinkedIn account
2. Navigate to the person’s profile
3. Click the “More” button
4. Select “Recommend”
5. Choose your relationship and position at the time
6. Write your recommendation following this structure:
   • Opening: How you know them
   • Body: Specific examples of their work and unique qualities
   • Closing: A clear statement of recommendation
7. Review for typos and clarity before submitting

Tools to Streamline Your LinkedIn Activities

Creating thoughtful recommendations is just one aspect of maintaining an effective LinkedIn presence. To optimize your entire LinkedIn workflow, consider using tools like InchwormData’s LinkedIn Automation Extension to simplify repetitive tasks and make your LinkedIn activities more efficient.

This powerful Chrome extension helps professionals:

• Save time on routine LinkedIn activities
• Maintain consistent engagement with your network
• Manage connection requests strategically
• Track and analyze your LinkedIn performance

For businesses looking to leverage LinkedIn data more effectively, YesData’s comprehensive solutions provide deeper insights and more powerful automation capabilities to enhance your professional networking strategy.

Templates for Different Professional Relationships

Template for Recommending a Colleague

“I worked with [Name] for [time period] at [Company] where we collaborated on [specific projects/teams]. What impressed me most about [Name] was their [key strength] and [another notable quality].

During our work on [specific project], [Name] demonstrated exceptional [skill] when they [specific example of their contribution and its impact]. Their approach to [particular challenge] revealed their unique ability to [what they did exceptionally well].

Beyond their technical capabilities, [Name] brings [personal quality] to the workplace that [how this quality positively affects the team]. I confidently recommend [Name] for any role requiring [relevant skills] and would welcome the opportunity to work with them again.”

Template for Recommending a Manager

“I had the privilege of working under [Name]’s leadership for [time period] at [Company]. As a [their position], [Name] excelled at [key leadership strength] while maintaining [positive quality about their management style].

What sets [Name] apart as a leader is their ability to [specific leadership quality with example]. During [challenging situation], they demonstrated exceptional [relevant skill] by [what they did and the outcome]. Their approach to [aspect of management] resulted in [positive team or business outcome].

[Name] significantly influenced my professional development by [how they helped you grow]. Any organization would benefit from their [key leadership qualities] and ability to [major strength]. I wholeheartedly recommend [Name] as a leader who [closing sentiment about their impact].”

Template for Recommending a Direct Report

“I supervised [Name] for [time period] at [Company] where they served as [their position]. From the beginning, [Name] demonstrated exceptional [key skill] and a remarkable ability to [notable strength].

During their time on my team, [Name] made significant contributions to [project or area], particularly when they [specific achievement and its impact]. Their approach to [job responsibility] consistently [positive outcome or quality of their work].

What impresses me most about [Name] is their [personal or professional quality] combined with [another strength]. They would be an asset to any team looking for [relevant skills], and I recommend them with complete confidence.”

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a good LinkedIn recommendation example?

A good LinkedIn recommendation example clearly states how you know the person, provides specific examples of their skills and achievements, highlights what makes them unique, and includes a strong endorsement. The best recommendations are authentic, concise, and focus on qualities and accomplishments relevant to the person’s career goals.

How do I write a recommendation on LinkedIn example?

To write a recommendation on LinkedIn, log into your account, visit the profile of the person you want to recommend, click the “More” button, and select “Recommend.” Choose your relationship and position, then write your recommendation with a clear structure: how you know them, specific examples of their work, what makes them exceptional, and a direct statement of recommendation.

What are some examples of LinkedIn recommendations?

Examples of LinkedIn recommendations include testimonials for colleagues highlighting collaborative skills and project contributions, endorsements for managers focusing on leadership qualities and team development, and recommendations for direct reports emphasizing their growth, achievements, and unique strengths. Each should contain specific examples rather than general praise.

How to write a LinkedIn recommendation examples for a colleague?

When writing a LinkedIn recommendation for a colleague, begin by explaining your working relationship, then highlight specific projects you worked on together. Include concrete examples of their exceptional skills, such as “During our marketing campaign redesign, Sarah’s data analysis identified key audience segments that increased conversion rates by 30%.” Close with a strong endorsement of their professional value.

What are examples of good recommendations on LinkedIn?

Examples of good recommendations on LinkedIn are personalized, specific, and authentic. They include clear context about the professional relationship, concrete examples of achievements (ideally with measurable results), insights into the person’s unique qualities, and a strong endorsement. The most effective recommendations tell a story that brings the person’s professional strengths to life.

How do I ask for a recommendation on LinkedIn example?

To ask for a LinkedIn recommendation, send a personalized message like: “Hi [Name], I hope you’re doing well! I’ve really valued our time working together on [specific project]. I’m updating my profile and wondering if you’d be willing to write a brief recommendation highlighting our work on [specific achievement]. I’d be happy to write one for you as well. Thanks for considering this request!”

What are examples of LinkedIn recommendations for managers?

Examples of LinkedIn recommendations for managers focus on leadership qualities, strategic vision, team development, and business results. A strong example might highlight how the manager created opportunities for team growth, navigated challenging business conditions, advocated for resources, or implemented innovative solutions that improved results. Include specific instances that demonstrate their management effectiveness.

What are some examples of impactful LinkedIn recommendations?

Impactful LinkedIn recommendations go beyond generic praise to provide specific examples of the person’s exceptional contributions. They include quantifiable achievements (“increased department efficiency by 25%”), explain problem-solving approaches, highlight unique combinations of skills, and demonstrate how the person added value in ways others couldn’t. The most powerful recommendations connect the person’s contributions to meaningful business outcomes.

Conclusion

LinkedIn recommendations represent one of the most powerful yet underutilized features of the platform. When written thoughtfully, they provide authentic social proof that can significantly strengthen someone’s professional reputation and opportunities.

Whether you’re writing a recommendation for a colleague, manager, direct report, or business partner, the key is to be specific, authentic, and focused on what truly makes that person exceptional. Use the examples and templates in this guide as starting points, but always customize them to reflect the unique professional relationship and contributions of the person you’re recommending.

For more insights on optimizing your LinkedIn presence, check out YesData’s guide to LinkedIn networking strategies and explore how their data solutions can help elevate your professional brand and networking efforts.

Remember that the recommendations you write reflect not just on the recipient but on your own professional judgment and generosity. By taking the time to craft thoughtful, specific recommendations, you contribute to a culture of recognition and help build a stronger professional community.