“HOW DO YOU BUILD A CREDIBLE AND SALABLE LinkedIn PROFILE? How Do You Request a Recommendation?”

Now that you’re convinced, kinda, that you should collect a few recommendations, let’s consider the process.

REQUEST PROCESS

Here are steps to solicit a recommendation:

1. Email-wise, the request usually takes the following form: “Please write 2–3 comments on the value and impact of my consulting on your employees or project plans (or presentation to your faculty or coaching experience). There are recommendations on my profile that may help you compose one.” If he/she requests that you send them a draft, do it.

2. Request a draft first. Then you can edit it and send back for approval. Make sure it is generic enough so it will stand the test of time once it’s posted on your profile.

3. Once both of you are satisfied, go to your LinkedIn profile page, and under Profile, click Recommendations.

4. At the top, click Request Recommendations.

5. For 1, click Choose on the box, and a dropdown will appear of all of your job and student positions. Click the title to which the recommendation will apply.

6. For 2, type the name of person writing the recommendation or click IN and pick the person from your list of connections (Remember, he/she must be in your network.)

7. For 3, personalize the stock message in the block.

8. Click Send. That’s it. A piece of cake with ice cream and a root beer!

Your colleague, client, student, etc. will receive the request and copy and paste the recommendation you both approved into the block provided. You will receive the recommendation by e-mail from LinkedIn and be given a chance to revise or approve, then post on your profile.

FORMAL RECOMMENDATION SOURCE

When you consult, speak, or coach, specify in your contract a requirement that, if the event is successful, the client will prepare 2 or 3 comments about the experience within a couple of weeks. This is standard operating procedure for speakers. (REJECTION NOTE: In academia, it has been my experience over the past 2 years that many directors or faculty who hired me will ignore that requirement and refuse to write anything. Just post whatever recommendations you receive.)

What’s Next? My next blog will deal with how to add connections to build your network. That’s probably the most important ingredient in using your profile.

COPYRIGHT © 2010 Ronald A. Berk, LLC