LinkedIn Guide · 9 min read · Updated 2026

LinkedIn Recommendation Examples: 12 Templates You Can Adapt

LinkedIn recommendations are one of the few credibility signals on your profile that you can't write yourself. A specific, evidence-backed recommendation from a former manager or colleague validates the skills you claim and gives recruiters a reason to trust your profile. The problem is most recommendations are vague — "great team player, highly recommended" — which adds no signal at all.

This guide gives you 12 recommendation templates you can adapt, whether you're writing one for a colleague or handing a draft to someone you've asked to recommend you. For how to ask in the first place, see our guide to asking for recommendations and our recommendation writing guide.

The 4-part recommendation formula

Keep each recommendation to three to five sentences — long enough to include a specific example, short enough that a recruiter will read it. One vivid story outperforms a paragraph of adjectives.

Examples for a manager or supervisor

Template 1: Strategic, results-driven manager

I reported to [Name] for [X] years at [Company], and they
were the most strategic leader I've worked with. When we
faced [specific challenge], [Name] restructured our
roadmap in two weeks and got the team aligned behind a
clear set of priorities. Under their leadership we
shipped [project] two months early and grew [metric] by
[Y]%. [Name] is the kind of manager who makes everyone
around them better. I'd work for them again in a
heartbeat.

Template 2: People-first, mentorship-focused manager

[Name] managed me for [X] years at [Company], and the
thing that sets them apart is how they develop people.
They took the time to understand each report's career
goals and created real growth opportunities — I
went from [junior role] to [senior role] under their
guidance, in part because they trusted me with
[specific stretch project]. The team's retention under
[Name] was the highest in the org. Any team would be
lucky to have them.

Template 3: Execution-focused, high-tempo manager

I worked under [Name] at [Company] for [X] years during
a period of rapid growth. They have a rare ability to
keep a fast-moving team focused — when we doubled
headcount in a year, [Name] put in place lightweight
processes that kept delivery on track without adding
bureaucracy. We hit [specific goal or metric] three
quarters in a row. [Name] leads by example and never
asks the team to do something they wouldn't do
themselves.

Examples for a colleague or peer

Template 4: Cross-functional collaborator

I worked alongside [Name] on the [project] initiative
at [Company] for [X] years. They're the rare cross-
functional partner who actually understands both sides
— when engineering and [other team] were at odds
over [specific issue], [Name] found a solution that
unblocked the launch and left both teams happy. The
project shipped on time and drove [measurable result].
I'd jump at the chance to work with [Name] again.

Template 5: Technical expert and problem-solver

[Name] and I were peers on the [team] at [Company] for
[X] years. They are hands-down the strongest [specific
skill] I've worked with. When we hit a production issue
that had stumped the team for a week, [Name] traced it
to [root cause] in a single afternoon and wrote the fix
that prevented it from recurring. Their technical depth
is matched only by their willingness to teach. Anyone
working with [Name] gets a stronger engineer and a
better teammate.

Template 6: Reliable, detail-oriented teammate

I partnered with [Name] at [Company] for [X] years on
[area of work]. If [Name] owned a deliverable, you never
had to follow up — it arrived on time, fully
documented, and correct. They caught issues the rest of
us missed, especially around [specific area]. On the
[project] launch, their QC pass caught three issues that
would have reached customers. [Name] is the teammate
every team wants and few are lucky enough to get.

Examples for a direct report

Template 7: High-growth, autonomous contributor

[Name] reported to me at [Company] for [X] years, and
in that time they grew from [starting scope] to owning
[larger scope] independently. The clearest example:
they led the [project] effort end to end, which
delivered [measurable result] and saved the team [Y]
hours per week. [Name] needs little direction but asks
the right questions early. I'd hire them again in any
team I build.

Template 8: Initiative-taking, ownership-minded report

I managed [Name] at [Company] for [X] years. What
stands out is their ownership mindset — they don't
wait to be told what to fix. They identified that
[process] was bleeding time, proposed a redesign, and
implemented it, which cut [metric] by [Y]%. [Name]
consistently operates a level above their title. They're
going to be a standout wherever they go next.

Examples for a client or vendor

Template 9: Trusted client partner

[Name] was our account lead at [Company] for [X] years,
and they consistently delivered above what we were
paying for. When our [specific situation] hit, [Name]
re-prioritized the roadmap within 48 hours and kept our
launch on time. Results: [measurable outcome]. [Name]
feels like part of your team, not an outside vendor. I'd
work with them again on any project.

Template 10: Freelancer or consultant

I hired [Name] as a [role] to lead [project] at
[Company]. They came in, diagnosed the problem in a
week, and delivered a solution that [measurable result]
— on budget and two weeks ahead of schedule. What
impressed me most was how they transferred knowledge to
our internal team so the work continued after they left.
[Name] is a pro. I'd engage them again without
hesitation.

Examples for special situations

Template 11: Short, punchy endorsement

I worked with [Name] for [X] years at [Company]. They
are the person you put on your hardest problem —
they'll figure it out, communicate clearly along the
way, and ship. [One specific result]. Highest
recommendation.

Template 12: Career-changer highlighting transferable skills

I managed [Name] at [Company] as they transitioned from
[prior field] into [new field]. What impressed me was
how fast their [transferable skill] translated —
within [timeframe] they were outperforming peers who'd
been in the field longer. On the [project] they
[specific measurable result]. [Name] brings a fresh
perspective and a relentless work ethic. They'll be a
fast-rising contributor in any [new field] team.

Best practices for writing recommendations

• Be specific. Name the project, the problem, and the result. Specifics are what make a recommendation believable.
• Use numbers. A measurable result (revenue, time saved, growth %) is the single most credible element you can include.
• Keep it short. Three to five sentences. Long recommendations get skimmed.
• End with a strong close."I'd hire them again" or "I'd work with them in a heartbeat" is the line recruiters remember.
• Avoid clichés without evidence."Passionate,” "rockstar,” and "team player" mean nothing without a concrete example behind them. See our profile mistakes guide for more words to avoid.

Recommendations work best on a profile that's already keyword-optimized — they validate the skills recruiters are searching for. Get your free LinkedIn visibility score — paste your profile URL and get an instant 0–100 score plus 3 paste-ready rewrites (an optimized headline, a rewritten About section, and your top 3 experience bullets reworded for recruiter search). Strong recommendations on a strong profile are the credibility combination recruiters trust. For more on the broader skills-credibility picture, see our LinkedIn endorsements guide.

Frequently asked questions