How do you ask for a LinkedIn recommendation?

Ask for a LinkedIn recommendation from someone who has directly observed relevant work, such as a supervisor, instructor, collaborator, or volunteer coordinator. Make a specific request and allow the person to decline comfortably.

Choose someone who can describe your work firsthand

Remind them of the project or responsibility you shared and the qualities the experience could illustrate. For example: “Would you feel comfortable writing a recommendation about our event-planning project, especially my scheduling and follow-through? I can send a brief reminder of the work.” Do not script praise for them to present as their own judgment.

Use LinkedIn’s current recommendation process where available and respect the person’s time. A recommendation should reflect real experience, not an exchange of invented endorsements. Thank them and keep your profile’s dates and role descriptions consistent with the work they discuss.

Your next steps

• Choose someone who knows the relevant work firsthand.
• Send a concise request with project context and an easy decline.
• Let the writer use their own judgment and thank them afterward.