A good LinkedIn recommendation reads like a short, honest reference that anyone can see. Recruiters and hiring managers in Singapore often skim them to get a sense of how you work with others. Yet many people freeze when asked to write one, or feel awkward asking. This guide gives you a clear structure, a LinkedIn recommendation example for different situations, and polite message templates for requesting your own.
What Makes a Recommendation Worth Reading
Generic praise like “hardworking and a great team player” adds little. The recommendations that stand out share a few qualities:
- Context. How you know the person and for how long.
- Specifics. A project, a problem solved or a result achieved.
- Character. How they behaved: calm under pressure, generous with knowledge, sharp with numbers.
- Credibility. Written by someone who actually saw the work, such as a manager, client or close colleague.
- Brevity. Most strong recommendations run between 80 and 200 words.
Recommendations also sit alongside the rest of your profile. If you have not refreshed yours lately, our guide on how to optimise your LinkedIn profile covers headlines, summaries and skills.
A Simple Structure to Follow
Use this four-part structure for almost any recommendation:
- Opening line with the relationship. “I managed Priya for two years at our regional marketing team.”
- One or two specific examples. What did they do, and what changed because of it?
- Personal qualities. How they work with people, handle setbacks or lead.
- Clear endorsement. “I would gladly work with her again” or “Any team would benefit from having him.”
Keep it truthful. Do not overstate results or invent numbers, because the person may be asked about them in interviews.
LinkedIn Recommendation Examples You Can Adapt
Adjust these to the person and your genuine experience. Replace names and details.
For a Direct Report
I managed Daniel for three years in our finance operations team. He took over our month-end closing process when it was regularly running late and rebuilt the checklist so the team could close on schedule. What impressed me most was how he trained two junior colleagues along the way, patiently and without fuss. Daniel is dependable, detail-minded and the person everyone goes to when something does not add up. I would hire him again without hesitation.
For a Manager
Mei Ling was my manager when I joined the customer experience team as a fresh graduate. She gave me real responsibility early, including leading a service recovery project, while making time every week to coach me. She is direct but kind, and she always credited the team publicly. I grew more in two years under her than I expected, and I would gladly work for her again.
For a Peer or Cross-Team Colleague
Arjun and I worked together on a product launch that involved sales, operations and IT. As the operations lead, he kept a complex timeline on track and made sure every team knew what was expected of them. He is calm when plans change and has a gift for turning messy discussions into clear next steps. Anyone working on cross-functional projects would be lucky to have him.
For a Freelancer or Supplier
We engaged Sarah to redesign our company website. She asked thoughtful questions about our customers before proposing anything, delivered on the timeline we agreed and explained each decision clearly. The new site is easier for our customers to use, and our team can update it without help. I recommend Sarah to any small business looking for a reliable designer.
Good vs Weak Recommendation Wording
| Instead of | Try | Why it works |
|---|---|---|
| “She is a great team player.” | “She stepped in to cover a colleague’s accounts during a busy quarter without being asked.” | Shows the trait through an action |
| “He is very hardworking.” | “He redesigned our reporting so managers got updates two days earlier.” | Gives a concrete outcome |
| “Highly recommended!” | “I would gladly work with her again on any client project.” | Sounds sincere and specific |
| “Good communicator.” | “He explains technical issues so non-technical clients can make decisions.” | Names who benefits and how |
How to Ask for a LinkedIn Recommendation
Asking is easier when you make it simple for the other person. A few principles:
- Ask the right people. Choose those who saw your work up close and recently. A manager from your last role carries more weight than a casual acquaintance.
- Ask personally. Use LinkedIn’s “Request a recommendation” feature from your profile, but add a personal note instead of the default text.
- Suggest a focus. Mention a project or skill you would like them to speak to. This helps them write something specific and saves their time.
- Give them time. Do not ask the night before a job application closes.
- Offer to reciprocate, but only if you can genuinely recommend them.
Request Template for a Former Manager
Hi Kevin, I hope things are going well at the new office. I am updating my LinkedIn profile and would really value a short recommendation from you, since you saw my work on the vendor consolidation project. If you could mention how we managed the supplier transition, that would be wonderful. No rush at all, and I would be glad to return the favour. Thank you!
Request Template for a Client
Hi Aisha, it was a pleasure working with your team on the event last month. If you were happy with the results, would you be open to writing a short LinkedIn recommendation? A few lines on how we handled the tight timeline would mean a lot. Completely understand if you are too busy.
If someone does not respond, a single gentle follow-up after a week or two is fine. After that, let it go.
Etiquette, Timing and Common Mistakes
When to ask. Good moments include the end of a project, when you or a colleague leave a company, or after positive feedback from a client. Leaving on good terms matters here; our guide on writing a resignation letter helps you exit gracefully so former managers are happy to vouch for you later.
Managing what appears. LinkedIn lets you review recommendations before they appear, and you can hide ones that are outdated. You can also ask for a revision if there is a factual error, though do so politely.
Mistakes to avoid:
- Writing recommendations in exchange for favours you do not mean.
- Mentioning confidential company information, client names or figures you are not allowed to share.
- Copying templates word for word, so every recommendation sounds the same.
- Collecting many recommendations from friends who never worked with you.
- Commenting on personal matters such as age, family or health.
For newcomers to Singapore. If you have just arrived, recommendations from previous managers overseas still help, as they show your track record to local employers. Ask them to write in English and to briefly explain the company if it is not well known here. Pair this with active networking; see our guide on networking and LinkedIn for newcomers.
A thoughtful recommendation takes 15 minutes to write and can stay on someone’s profile for years. Write the kind you would like to receive, and ask for yours with the same care.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long should a LinkedIn recommendation be? Most strong recommendations run between 80 and 200 words. Open with how you know the person, add one or two specific examples, describe their qualities and end with a clear endorsement. Brief and specific beats long and generic.
Who should I ask for a LinkedIn recommendation? Ask people who saw your work up close and recently, such as a manager from your last role, a client or a close colleague. They carry more weight than a casual acquaintance. Add a personal note and suggest a project or skill for them to mention.
Is it okay to follow up if no one responds to my recommendation request? Yes, a single gentle follow-up after a week or two is fine. After that, let it go. Do not ask on the night before an application closes, and give people enough time to write something thoughtful.
Can I hide or fix a LinkedIn recommendation I do not like? LinkedIn lets you review recommendations before they appear, and you can hide ones that are outdated. You can ask for a revision if there is a factual error, though do so politely. Choosing the right person to ask in the first place prevents most problems.
Are recommendations from overseas managers useful when job hunting in Singapore? Yes, they show your track record to local employers. Ask the writer to use English and briefly explain the company if it is not well known here. Pair them with active networking so recruiters in Singapore can see your work in context.
Further reading: Rejoining a Former Employer: How to Ask and What to Watch For · Should You Turn On LinkedIn’s Open to Work Badge? · How to Write a Professional Bio for Work Profiles