Adding a LinkedIn Recommendation From a Person Not on LinkedIn

LinkedIn Question and Answer

Question:

My question is I have an email recommendation that someone sent to me who isn’t on Linkedin. How do I get that recommendation letter on my profile? Please advice. Thanks, Mohamed

Answer: Hi Mohammed! Great question, one I hear a lot from clients. Unfortunately, you can’t post an “official LinkedIn” recommendation for yourself, even if it’s by someone else.

The good news is you still have two options. The official LinkedIn option is to invite the person to join LinkedIn and then request a recommendation. The second “no holds barred” approach is to add the recommendation directly to your profile either in your Summary or Experience description. Here are the steps for both solutions:

Option 1: Invite Them to Join LinkedIn

1. Invite the person to join LinkedIn.

2. Once the person joins LinkedIn, send them a LinkedIn Recommendation request.

Notice how I included the old recommendation in the text of the message area. You want to make this super easy for the person.

I would also suggest giving the person a call before you invite them to join LinkedIn. Let them know how valuable you find LinkedIn and suggest they join. If you must, walk them through the steps of accepting the LinkedIn invitation. Once they become a LinkedIn user, give the person another call prior to sending them your recommendation request. Tell him or her that you need their help and you would so appreciate a recommendation. Don’t rely on the LinkedIn notifications to motivate a person to do your will. Most people are deluged with email and life chores. It’s easy to get distracted.

Option 2: Add a LinkedIn Recommendation to your Profile’s Summary or Experience Description

If you can’t get the other person to join LinkedIn, your only other option is to include their recommendation in your Summary or within the Experience description of your LinkedIn profile.
Including a LinkedIn Recommendation on your LinkedIn Profile
I wish you the best of luck, Mohamed! Thanks so much for writing!

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3 Comments

  1. Two LinkedIn recommendation questions:
    I asked someone for a recommendation. Months later, they want me to send request again. I can’t figure out how to do. LinkedIn says it can’t be done. Any way to get around that?
    If I make an error identifying my relationship to someone, can I edit/change that?

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