Is there really value in LinkedIn recommendations?
Some people seem to collect recommendations just like connections. I’ve even seen several examples of people that I know make recommendations for others who they really don't respect (or know much about) just to get a recommendation in return.
I fear that this type of practice is lowering the value of recommendations to the point where one day they won’t mean anything.
Answers (26)
Dave M
The WireMan ★ Wire names created at events & parties ★ Trade show booth traffic builder & lead generator ♫ WireNa
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I don't ask anyone to give me a recommendation.
If they like what I do and I get one, that's all well and good as well as very flatering...
Those who think that folks here will spend the time reading rec. after rec. after rec., ... not happening...
Rob N
Corporate Recruiter at Gayhart & Associates (Open Networker/TopLinked Member)
I put no stock in linkedin recommedations. Sometimes candidates will say "check out my profile so that you can see the recommendations that I have." Often times they are just as you stated above - done by people only for a recommendation in return. If I am trying to put someone in a new position and a recommendation will help, I need a paper copy sent to me.
Adam S
Technical Search Consultant at Dunhill Professional Search
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Greg, you do make a valid point here in one sector. Recommendations are really valuable AS LONG AS they are specific, and cite exactly WHY someone is recommending someone. If the recommendation says, 'wow, he sure is a swell guy..' then that really is not worth the hypertext it is written in. The recommendations that bring value are the ones that represent a track record of accomplishment and highlight the strengths of the person being recommended. Also, although sometimes out of coincidence, the recommendations that lose their value are the ones that are given in response to one that was given to the author immediately; i.e., John Smith recommends Mike Jones, and in turn Mike Jones recommends John Smith. Again, sometimes this is coincidental. But, then the author(s) run(s) into the public perception that the recommendation was only given in return or as a result of the recommendation written for them, and even moreso that the 'return' recommendation would not have been written otherwise (kind of like a Thank You note). That being the case, you should make a point to write recommendations WHEN YOU FEEL THEY ARE DUE. It goes a long way to help someone professionally. A recommendation for the sake of writing a recommendation is kind of like a fake smile; it makes the person feel good at first just a little, but everyone knows there is nothing behind it. I hope this discourse is helpful to your question.
Hamish T
Strategy Consultant & Coach @ www.shinergise.com
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Personally I have enjoyed making and receiving authentic recommendations - I have avidly avoided "tit-for-tat" recommendation requests, particularly those that come from virtual strangers.
All that I would say is that people making recommendations and people reading them have to judge the value for themselves.
Read mine, tell me what you think...
Bryan C W
Seeking a marketing, sales management or senior sales role in a technology-based company. http://twitter.com/BryanCWebb
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One has to be careful not to dilute the recommendations.
I recommend that recommendations be concise and specific using numbers where possible. When I look at recommendations, I always look at the recommenders profile as well. I look to see whether the recommendations are more from managers and customers than just co-workers (less impact). In addition, too many reciprocal recommendations, leads to less credibility.
SUGGESTION: Treat recommendations like gold and use sparingly for best results...
Ron K
Construction/Civil ENG Recruiting MGR -Brayman Construction Corp a leading General and Specialty Foundation Contractor
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These recommendations have about as much value to me as do reference check info supplied by a candidate. In other words they are pre-rehearsed positive commercials for the most part and are often done only to get a positive recommendation in return.
The only limited value they may have is that when applying to jobs specifically posted on Linkedin many state that those candidates with recommendations will be given preference.
Why anybody would prefer these types of candidates (without looking at the big picture) is beyond me but hey you have got to deal with the cards that are dealt to you and take advantage of them!
I use recommendations to demonstrate my worth in my role externally to clients and internally to fellow colleagues, and I believe having numerous, good quality recommendations does not lower the value of them, but instead promotes your professional and competent ability.
An interesting trend I have seen from several candidates' is the inclusion of these references directly on their resume; much like a book cover features its best reviews on the back jacket.
These references have become a self-promotion tool for many.
yes..you're right..
Its really important who recommending you and the best recommendation is which you get from your client rather than your colleague
Jonathan K
Senior Recruiter / Staffing Specialist at Rotator, Medical, Industrial Staffing Services
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It's good for the ego. I guess it can be valuable because if you are led to believe you are doing a good job, maybe confidence will be boosted and you will actually do a better job.
Kinda like dressing for the job you want - not necessarily for the job you have.
I have had candidates contact me and tell me that they wanted to work with me based on a referral. They checked out my Linked In profile and were impressed by my recommendations.
joshua P
Independent Consultant Auditor
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Of course, they are just like a recommendation letter only digital. They impress the hell out of me. My insurance guy had 20 so I hired him. My car sales man from the Ford dealer had great ones so I bought from him. Even the guy from righteous resumes had a bunch so I bought there too. I mean think about it a second, an independent third party view much more objective than mere words. Don't books get rated on Amazon.com the most successful website in the world? Don't you get movie ratings to avoid the duds?
Being cynical has its uses but I must a done business with like 30 folks here and still I have zero recs. So no folks don't just give 'em out like water at all. It is just common sense they earn it them of course. For God's sake even the yellowpages.com site has ratings they are highly useful. So now you heard it from job six pack.
Walt R
Staffing Consultant **Open Networker** walt_robertson@sbcglobal.net (2200+ 1st level connections)
I also see it as part of the whole picture. Still, it's nice to see former/current managers, clients and co-workers just like standard recommendations. There have also been some job postings on LinkedIn where the verbiage will say something along the lines of "will not look at candidates without recommendations on Linkedin." Kind of makes me wonder, but on the other hand I will not discount someone if they do not have any recommendations listed. Many great recommendations (people) would rather do business via phone or email anyway.
Kristen F
Author; Sourcing U WA Medical Centers; Independent resume and HR consultant, via Conquent.
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I know at least two Seattle staffing firms that *only* use LinkedIn recommendations in lieu of calling references.
I can say, as someone that contracted professionally for many years and working for a company that had a no reference policy for contractors from FTE (Microsoft) that sometimes getting recommendations from LI contacts was crucial to my job search. As a recruiter, I do look at someone's linkedin profile and what their recommendations say. (I do not, however, as a practice check any of the "other" social networking sites on ethical principles.)
When friends have been laid off, sometimes they cannot get manager and peer references due to the situation and corporate policies. That is when it is *vital* to have those LI recos available.
I only write recommendations for people I respect and can truly whole heartedly recommend. There is value in them, as Linked in is a great way to learn about people, see who they are connected to and see the type of person they are. You can learn alot by the words someone choses to use in the recommendation. Your fear of the value being lowered because everyone does it is a real fear, yet as a first pass screening tool, it is still useful
Tom F
Editorial Director at BankInfoSecurity.com
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Gregg:
What's the value of *any* recommendation? Whatever the venue, there's always some kind of bias. You just have to accept this at face value and treat the recommendations as just another data point to use when you consider an individual. If nothing else, the recommendations generally offer context for questions you can ask in an interview.
And y'know? Even biased recommendations are better than the "yes, s/he worked here ..." statements the corporate attorneys limit us to these days.
best,
Tom
Milton R
Mentor Coach helping Managers and Professionals worldwide, online, via phone & via Skype.
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Hi Gregg, I agree that genuine recomendations can be very important for how you are perceived. So, any action lowering the credibility is bad, in my opinion.
One of the things that differentiates LinkedIn from other professional networking sites is the focus on real contacts - people that you know, or have known. I'm not fond of the direct contact approach unless there's a real connection somewhere. Equally - vague and ambiguous recommendations don't lend anything to a person's profile. Quality, not quantity.
Wallace J
Multimedia Producer and i3D Programmer for Acrobat 3D PDF, JavaFX, Mobile & Virtual Worlds
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Recs don't mean a thing without the vanguard work to back them up. Once that is in place, they are GOLDEN! ;) Ciao. Walls. MindTaffyLLC@Yahoo.com
Links:
Judy B. M
Marketing Communications, B2B Specialist, Business Writer and Editor
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What's important is to make sure that your recommendations are valuable to you and a true reflection of your strengths. Why would you even think for a moment that those belonging to others are any reflection on your own or that they could in any way devalue yours? Cultivate your own garden. If others are sprouting weeds, that's their headache.
Yes, there is value in a recommendation if it is sincere, comes from a credible source and carries valid content applicable to the recruiter's job search.
Links:
I think Susanne has it right, the credibility of a recommendations is tied to the quality of its source..
Merydith W
Sex in the Boardroom (book) Developing next generation leaders: New York & Adelaide
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To me, they’re just like references and yes they are valuable. I only have a few deliberately and that is enough to let people know what you’re like.
Books
Sex in the Boardroom
If it’s to be: It’s up to me
High Achievers (being written)
Links:
Recommendations are only as good as the source. In most cases, they are not useful at all.
Josh C
General Manager at Web Industries; Itinerant Writer; and Decent Little League Coach
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Hi Gregg,
I think there can be. I judge rec's by the quality of the writing, the specificity of the description, and to some extent by the position of the recommender.
Josh.
I understand both points of view concerning their usefulness or lack thereof.
My position is that if someone believes they are useless then they don't have to consider them. If someone finds them useful and gets some kind of impression from them, then fine - if they weren't there then this impression could not have been made, so they should be there.
Note that each candidate should be very aware of the perceived quality of the recommendations shown and the impressions they might make.
I don't think that there is a terrible downside to listing them unless the reader believes they are totally bogus and completely discredits the candidate because of that. I would hope there are few people who would take that extreme a stance.
As a consultant I have a somewhat different take on recommendations - they can serve as very useful advertising of previous successful assignments / relationships that can influence a prospective buyer of my services.
In my case I have only recommended people that I truly respect (and I have been fortunate to have been associated with a lot of those types of people) and believe that recommendations made about me are similarly honest.
My two cents worth ...
