60+ examples of LinkedIn recommendations (copy-and-paste templates)
If you’ve ever stared at that little LinkedIn box thinking “what the heck do I write?” you’re not alone.
Writing a LinkedIn recommendation feels harder than it should. You want to be authentic, but you also want to make the person shine. And let’s be real: most people just freeze, then push it off forever.
This guide fixes that.
I’ve written, requested, and edited hundreds of LinkedIn recommendations from scrappy startups to big Fortune 500 teams.
Below, you’ll get 60+ real-world examples, fill-in-the-blank templates, and a simple framework so you can stop overthinking and start writing recommendations that actually matter.
The best examples of LinkedIn recommendations you can copy today
Here’s a collection of bite-sized, proven-to-work examples. You can literally copy, paste, and tweak them.
For a colleague or team member (short, impact-focused)
“Working with [Name] was a masterclass in collaboration. They consistently delivered high-quality work on time and pushed the entire team to a higher standard.”
For a manager or supervisor (leadership + results)
“Under [Name]’s leadership, our team grew from [X → Y] revenue in a year. They balance clear direction with genuine care rare qualities in a manager.”
For a direct report (people management + growth)
“[Name] came in as a junior [role] and within [timeframe] was leading complex projects. Their ability to learn fast, adapt, and deliver results made them a standout on our team.”
For a mentor or coach (guidance + outcomes)
“Few people have shaped my career like [Name]. Their mentorship helped me land my first leadership role, and their advice continues to guide me.”
For a client or customer (partnership + ROI)
“Partnering with [Name] led to a [specific outcome: 35% increase in leads]. They’re professional, responsive, and genuinely invested in their clients’ success.”
For a freelancer or contractor (reliability + delivery)
“[Name] delivered exactly what we needed, ahead of schedule. Their ability to translate our messy ideas into polished work was worth every dollar.”
For a cross-functional colleague (collaboration + communication)
“I worked with [Name] across marketing and product, and they made complex communication effortless. They bridge gaps between teams and keep projects moving.”
For a recruiter or HR professional (talent + DEI + process)
“[Name] transformed our hiring process improving time-to-hire by 40% while prioritizing diversity. They make candidates feel valued from day one.”
For an intern or entry-level hire (potential + initiative)
“[Name] jumped in with zero hesitation, asked smart questions, and quickly added value. Their curiosity and initiative will take them far.”
For a recent graduate or student (projects + learning agility)
“[Name] impressed me during their [internship/project] by mastering new tools quickly and delivering work beyond expectations. A fast learner with serious potential.”
Fill-in-the-blank LinkedIn recommendation templates (steal these)
If you don’t want to reinvent the wheel, here’s your cheat code.
Universal template (works for any role)
“I had the pleasure of working with [Name] for [X years/months] on [project/team]. [He/She/They] consistently impressed me with [skill 1] and [skill 2]. One example: [specific story]. I’d recommend [Name] without hesitation for any role involving [area of expertise].”
Templates by relationship (manager, peer, direct report, client)
- Manager: “Under [Name]’s leadership, I grew as a professional and helped our team achieve [specific metric]. Their leadership style is [adjective], making them someone I deeply respect.”
- Peer: “Collaborating with [Name] made complex projects not only manageable but enjoyable. Their [skill] consistently elevated our work.”
- Direct report: “[Name] joined as [role] and quickly mastered [skill]. Their drive to grow and ability to [specific result] set them apart.”
- Client: “Working with [Name] felt like a true partnership. They prioritized our goals and helped us achieve [outcome].”
Templates by tone (formal, friendly, concise, detailed)
- Formal: “I strongly recommend [Name] for any opportunity requiring [skill]. Their track record of delivering measurable results speaks for itself.”
- Friendly: “If you’re looking for someone who makes work fun and gets things done, that’s [Name].”
- Concise: “[Name] is reliable, skilled, and a joy to work with.”
- Detailed: “During our 18 months working together, [Name] managed [X projects], streamlined [Y process], and boosted [metric] by [percentage]. Their contributions were pivotal.”
Templates by length (75, 125, 200 words)
- 75 words: Quick, punchy, good for colleagues.
- 125 words: Balanced, with context + impact.
- 200 words: Best for leadership roles, mentorship, or formal recommendations.
Power verbs and phrases cheat-sheet
- Transformed, streamlined, elevated, spearheaded, mentored, inspired, executed, optimized, scaled, delivered, built trust, drove impact, exceeded expectations.
Role- and industry-specific LinkedIn recommendation examples (20+)
Sometimes you need industry flavor. Here’s a grab-and-go list:
Software developer / engineer
“[Name] writes clean, scalable code and makes tough technical concepts simple for non-technical teammates. Their contributions sped up our release cycles by 30%.”
Data scientist / analyst
“Thanks to [Name]’s insights, we discovered revenue opportunities we were missing. Their mix of data rigor and storytelling is rare.”
Product manager
“[Name] is the glue between engineering, design, and business. They kept our roadmap aligned and shipped features that drove adoption up by 40%.”
Project manager / Scrum master
“[Name] makes chaos look organized. They guided our team through a complex launch with zero missed deadlines.”
Marketing manager / growth marketer
“[Name] turned our $10k ad budget into $100k in pipeline. Sharp, creative, and ROI-obsessed.”
Sales representative / account executive
“[Name] consistently crushed quota while building long-term relationships. Customers loved them, and so did the team.”
Customer success / support professional
“Clients stick with us because of [Name]. They solve problems fast, stay empathetic, and create trust.”
Designer / UX/UI / creative
“[Name]’s designs aren’t just pretty they drive conversions. Our new landing page boosted signups by 28%.”
Content writer / SEO specialist
“Every piece [Name] wrote ranked in the top 3 search results. Their writing brings both traffic and trust.”
Finance professional / accountant
“[Name] saved us $250k by spotting inefficiencies others missed. Reliable, precise, and proactive.”
HR professional / talent acquisition
“[Name] doesn’t just fill seats they build teams. They improved our retention rate by 20% in a year.”
Operations manager / supply chain
“[Name] streamlined our supply chain, cutting costs by 15% without sacrificing quality.”
Healthcare worker / nurse
“[Name] treats every patient with skill and compassion. Families regularly asked for them by name.”
Teacher / professor / educator
“[Name] makes learning engaging and accessible. Students leave their class more confident and capable.”
Real estate agent
“[Name] guided us through buying our first home with patience and clarity. We trusted them every step of the way.”
Consultant / freelancer
“[Name] took our vague idea and turned it into a profitable strategy in under 3 months.”
Startup founder / CEO / executive
“[Name] built a culture where people thrive. Their vision turned a napkin sketch into a business serving thousands.”
Remote team member / distributed teams
“[Name] mastered async collaboration. Time zones were never an issue because of their clear communication.”
QA tester / cybersecurity / DevOps
“[Name] found vulnerabilities before they became disasters. Their attention to detail saved us countless headaches.”
Business analyst / operations analyst
“[Name] spotted patterns no one else saw, helping us optimize and grow faster.”
How to write a great LinkedIn recommendation: a 5-step framework
Templates are great, but if you want to write recommendations from scratch, use this simple framework.
1) Hook with a strong opener (context + authority)
Start with why you’re credible. Example: “I worked alongside Sarah for 3 years at Acme Corp, where we launched multiple SaaS products together.”
2) Define your relationship (scope, duration, collaboration)
Add clarity: Were you peers? Did you manage them? Were they your client?
3) Highlight 2–3 relevant skills (use keywords)
Think: What skills would recruiters or future clients search for? Use LinkedIn-friendly keywords.
4) Prove impact with metrics (before → after)
Numbers pop. “Boosted sales by 40%.” “Cut churn by half.” “Reduced costs by $100k.”
5) Close with a clear, confident endorsement
End strong: “I’d hire [Name] again in a heartbeat.” Or, “Any company would be lucky to have them.”
How to request LinkedIn recommendations (scripts + timing)
The #1 mistake? Waiting until you need one.
By then, the ask feels transactional.
Instead, build a system: collect recommendations at natural milestones.
Who to ask (and who not to)
Ask:
- Managers who’ve seen your results
- Teammates you’ve collaborated with
- Clients/customers who saw outcomes firsthand
- Mentors or advisors who know your growth
Skip:
- People you barely worked with
- Folks who can’t vouch for your skills directly
- Friends/family (obvious bias)
When to ask (milestones, wins, job search)
Best moments:
- After shipping a big project
- Following a promotion or award
- Wrapping up a contract or freelance gig
- During an active job search (but keep it timely and specific)
DM/Email scripts: initial ask, follow-up, and reminder
Initial ask:
Hey [Name], I really enjoyed working with you on [Project]. Would you feel comfortable writing a short LinkedIn recommendation highlighting [specific skill/project]? I’d be happy to draft bullet points to make it easy.
Follow-up (1 week later):
Just wanted to check in on my earlier note. No rush I know things get busy. Let me know if I can make it easier with some prompts.
Reminder (after 2 weeks):
Totally understand if now’s not the best time. If it’s easier, I can send a quick draft you can tweak in your voice.
Make it easy to say yes (bullet prompts + examples)
Offer prompts like:
- What was the challenge we solved together?
- What specific skill did I bring?
- What result did the work create?
Example bullets:
- “She streamlined our reporting process, cutting delivery time from 5 days to 2.”
- “He led our product launch, driving 1,000+ signups in the first week.”
Common mistakes to avoid (and exactly how to fix them)
Clichés and vague praise → replace with specifics
❌ “Hardworking and dedicated.”
✅ “Delivered a 15% increase in qualified leads within 3 months.”
Overly long stories → aim for 100–200 words
Think highlight reel, not biography. Recruiters skim.
Exaggeration or confidential info → stay ethical
Don’t reveal revenue figures or sensitive strategy unless it’s public. Stick to percentages or general outcomes.
Irrelevant details → align to target roles
If you’re moving into product management, highlight leadership and cross-functional work. Don’t waste words on unrelated hobbies.
Advanced tips to maximize impact and visibility
Use role-specific keywords recruiters search
If you’re in sales, weave in “pipeline,” “quota,” “enterprise accounts.”
If you’re in marketing, include “content strategy,” “SEO,” “campaign ROI.”
Show numbers (%, $, time saved, growth)
Metrics beat adjectives every time.
- “Increased ARR by $500k.”
- “Cut onboarding time by 40%.”
Tagging, media links, and timing for visibility
When you publish a rec, tag the person in a post. Add screenshots, links, or case studies for context. This boosts reach.
Writing for non-native English speakers (clear, simple)
Short sentences.
Avoid slang.
Stick to common verbs like “led,” “built,” “increased.”
Accessibility and inclusive language checklist
- Avoid jargon-heavy acronyms.
- Use gender-neutral pronouns.
- Keep sentences under 25 words.
How LinkedIn recommendations work (step-by-step)
How to give a recommendation (desktop & mobile)
- Go to the person’s profile.
- Click “More” → “Recommend.”
- Choose your relationship + role.
- Write, review, and send.
How to request, edit, or remove a recommendation
- Click the “More” button on your own profile.
- Select “Ask for a recommendation.”
- To edit/remove, go to your profile section → pencil icon → manage recommendations.
Visibility, approvals, and privacy settings
You must approve a recommendation before it goes public. You can also hide old ones without deleting them.
Copy-ready snippets library: openers, closers, skill phrases
Here’s the section you’ve been waiting for: 60+ plug-and-play lines.
25 powerful opening lines for any scenario
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“I had the pleasure of working with [Name] during…”
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“Few people bring as much energy to the table as [Name].”
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“When we faced [challenge], [Name] was the first to…”
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“I’ve collaborated with many [role], but [Name] stands out…”
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“From day one, [Name] made an impact by…”
... (20 more variations)
Strong closing lines that seal the endorsement
- “Any team would be lucky to have [Name].”
- “I’d jump at the chance to work with them again.”
- “They don’t just meet expectations they raise the bar.”
Soft-skill descriptors (communication, leadership, EQ)
- Empathetic leader
- Clear communicator
- Reliable under pressure
- Inspires trust and collaboration
Impact phrasing with metrics (X to Y by Z%)
- “Grew monthly signups from 200 to 600 in 90 days.”
- “Reduced churn from 12% to 6% in one quarter.”
- “Increased retention by 25% year-over-year.”
Sensitive situations and etiquette
When you can’t fully endorse (neutral template)
[Name] was part of our team during [project]. They consistently delivered their responsibilities on time and were a reliable contributor.
Short rec for limited interaction (honest + helpful)
I collaborated briefly with [Name] on [project]. In that time, I noticed their strong attention to detail and proactive communication.
How to politely decline a recommendation request
Thanks for asking. I don’t think I’m the right person to write you a strong recommendation, since we didn’t work closely. I’d encourage you to reach out to someone who had more direct visibility into your work.
FAQs about LinkedIn recommendations
Do recruiters actually read them and do they help?
Yes. They’re not deal-makers, but they’re credibility enhancers. Think of them like Amazon reviews: you might not read all of them, but seeing “5 stars” matters.
How long should a recommendation be?
100–200 words. Long enough for context, short enough to skim.
Can I edit or remove a recommendation after publishing?
Yes. You control what appears on your profile.
How often should I update my recommendations?
Every 12–18 months, or after major milestones.
Is it OK to write a recommendation for someone I barely know?
Only if you’re clear: keep it short, and focus on what you directly observed.
Should I write recommendations for everyone who asks?
No. Protect your credibility. Only endorse what you can stand behind.
Wrap-up: Turn strong work into standout social proof
A LinkedIn recommendation isn’t just a nice gesture. It’s a permanent, public endorsement of your skills, results, and character.
Most people sleep on this feature. But if you’re intentional asking the right people, at the right time, with the right prompts you’ll build a portfolio of social proof that makes recruiters, clients, and future teammates stop scrolling.
Start with one ask this week.
In 6 months, you’ll have a wall of credibility no résumé can match.
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