By: Susan Tabor-Kleiman
With LinkedIn continuing to grow in importance, more and more people are asking for, and writing, recommendations there. And far too often, I come across testimonials that leave me unimpressed both with the writer and the person being highlighted.
Like this one:
"Peter is a unique individual to work with. He is always an out of the box thinker who will surprise industry. I have enjoyed working with Peter."
While well-intentioned, the generic, empty language tells us little about Peter and leaves us wondering about the writer as well.
How might he have improved this recommendation?
- Writing a strong recommendation takes thought. In formulating his testimonial, the writer might have asked:
Here's how this recommendation might have looked.
I worked with Peter for three months on an important project, and from the moment he joined the team, he challenged presumptions and encouraged us to look at different perspectives. The result was a totally unexpected -- and outstanding -- solution that saved the company substantial dollars. Peter also has a great sense of humor, was always pleasant, and was well-liked by the entire team.See the difference? This time, you're left understanding how why and how Peter is an asset and you can take this knowledge and map it on to your needs.
The recommendations you write also say a lot about YOU.
Did you know that the LinkedIn recommendations you write also appear on your profile? I've come across wishy-washy recommendations that reveal that the recommender really didn't have much to say but probably wasn't comfortable declining.
And it's often women who struggle with this. We want to be nice. We don't want to say no. But guess what. Having half-hearted recommendations makes you appear as though you don't have a backbone--not a message you want to convey to the world. Declining may not be easy, but it's better than having you look weak.
By the same token, a strong, well-crafted testimonial also highlights what you believe is important and positively reflects on your values and credibility.
Why do we write recommendations anyway?
To demonstrate our appreciation. To express our admiration. To celebrate excellence. It's natural really--when we've worked with someone who's done a stellar job, it makes us feel good to acknowledge that work and to let others know about it.
As Beth Weinstock, Ph.D, and Jane Shure, Ph.D of The Resilience Group note:
We write testimonials in part but because in the process of honestly praising our colleagues, we get to feel a little more connected to a sense of community. Building connections with others is a powerful catalyst for inspiration, motivation and satisfaction.
And yes, it's good karma too.
So the next time you're crafting a recommendation, consider the specific qualities you want to highlight and find examples of what makes that person stand out. Then, tell us. You'll now have a testimonial that is meaningful, convinces the reader, and that truly makes the other person shine.
And isn't that why you're writing the recommendation in the first place?
Susan Tabor-Kleiman, JD, is Founder of Your Professional Writer where she crafts bios and business communication for executives, entrepreneurs, and job seekers around the world and trains others in how to create LinkedIn profiles that elevate their brand and accomplish personal and organizational objectives. Susan frequently appears in the media and at conferences as an expert in persuasive communication and LinkedIn. You can follow on Twitter @stkwriter.