Outreach · Recommendations
LinkedIn Recommendation Request Generator
Ask for a LinkedIn recommendation the right way — specific, easy to write, and easy to say no to. Get the request, talking points, a gentle reminder, and a thank-you note. Free, no login required.
- 6 Relationships
- 3 Tones
- Talking Points
- Reminder + Thank You
- No Invented Results
- Autosave
Recommendation Request Generator
Ask for a LinkedIn recommendation — specific, easy to say yes to, easy to say no to
What's New in the Recommendation Request Generator (2026 Upgrade)
Talking points
Bullet points they can use — from your project, skills, and real result.
Gentle reminder
A one-time nudge for when a week has passed.
Thank-you note
Ready to send once they've written it.
How to send on LinkedIn
Step-by-step, including which relationship to pick.
No invented results
Achievements only from what you type.
Request checks
Project, skills, easy to write, easy to say no.
Edit with live checks
Tweak the request and watch the score update.
Saved messages
Keep requests, reminders, and thanks — synced when signed in.
Autosave + My Profile
Your name and top skills fill in from My Profile.
LinkedIn Recommendations by the Numbers
- Relationship types
- 6
- Tones: professional, friendly, grateful
- 3
- Skills to ask them to highlight
- 1–3
- Open request per person (LinkedIn)
- 1
- Degree connections only (LinkedIn)
- 1st
- Characters in a recommendation
- 3,000
- Reminder, then let it go
- 1
- Invented achievements
- 0
Request rules from LinkedIn Help: Request a recommendation.
How to Use the Recommendation Request Generator
- 01
Choose who you're asking
Colleague, Manager, Direct Report, Client, Mentor, or Classmate. Each changes how the request is framed.
- 02
Add what they saw
Where and when you worked together, the project, 1–3 skills to highlight, and a real result if you have one. Choose talking points and whether to offer one back.
- 03
Generate, send & follow through
Copy the request, send it through LinkedIn's Request a recommendation flow, and use the reminder and thank-you messages when you need them.
How to Request a Recommendation on LinkedIn (Step by Step)
1. Open their profile
They need to be a 1st-degree connection.
2. More → Request a recommendation
You'll find it under the More button on their profile.
3. Pick relationship & position
Choose carefully — you can't change it after sending.
4. Replace the message
Paste your personal request from the tool, then send.
The 6 Relationship Types Explained
Colleague
Peers you worked alongside on the same team or cross-functional projects. Colleague recommendations show teamwork and collaboration.
Tip: Mention a specific shared project and offer to reciprocate
Manager / Boss
Your direct supervisor or skip-level manager. They saw your performance directly, so their words carry weight.
Tip: Be respectful of their time and offer talking points
Direct Report
Someone who reported to you. These show your leadership and mentoring from the other side.
Tip: Acknowledge their growth to make the ask feel mutual
Client / Partner
External clients, vendors, or partners you delivered for. They speak to real business value.
Tip: Reference the specific outcome you delivered together
Mentor / Advisor
Someone who guided your career or skills. Mentor recommendations speak to how you learn and grow.
Tip: Lead with genuine gratitude
Classmate / Professor
Academic peers, professors, or project partners. Especially useful for students, recent grads, and career changers.
Tip: Reference specific classes or projects
Recommendation Request Best Practices
Ask Specific People, Not Everyone
Don't mass-message your network. Choose people who genuinely know your work and can speak to specific skills.
Offer to Write Theirs
Offering a recommendation in return — or writing one first — makes the ask feel mutual. Only do it if you can be specific about their work.
Make It Easy for Them
Include talking points: the project, the skills, and a real result. Busy people appreciate not starting from a blank page.
Tell Them What to Highlight
If you want to be known for leadership, say so. If it's a technical skill, name the project where they saw it.
Time It Right
Ask after a successful project or when you're changing roles — not in the middle of their crunch week.
Follow Up Once, Then Let It Go
One gentle reminder after about a week. Pestering someone for a recommendation rarely ends well.
Use LinkedIn's Request Flow
Requests sent through Request a recommendation land in the right place and pre-fill the relationship.
Say Thank You
When it arrives, thank them — and return the favour if you offered.
Good vs Bad Recommendation Requests (Examples)
“Can you write me a recommendation?”
“Hi Sarah — you managed me at Acme, including the checkout redesign, so you've seen my work up close. Would you be willing to write a short LinkedIn recommendation? You could mention UX research and prototyping. Completely understand if you don't have time.”
Specific project + what to highlight + easy no
“I need recommendations. Can everyone write one?”
“Hi David — as my manager during the platform migration, you saw my technical growth firsthand. Would you be willing to write a recommendation? I can share some bullet points to make it easy.”
Targeted ask + makes it easy
“Write me a LinkedIn recommendation please.”
“Hi Lisa — I've just written you a recommendation about your design work on Project Atlas. If you have a moment, I'd love one about our collaboration. No pressure!”
Gave first + specific reference + no pressure
“I'd appreciate a recommendation when you get a chance.”
“Hi James — working with your team on the API integration was a highlight. A few words about the delivery and client communication would mean a lot.”
Specific scope + clear guidance
Names and details are illustrations — use your own.
A LinkedIn Recommendation Request Template You Can Copy
Hi [Name], I'm [updating my profile / looking for my next role]. We worked together [where and when] on [project], so you've seen my work up close. Would you be willing to write a short LinkedIn recommendation for me? A few things you could touch on: • What I did on [project] • How I used [skill 1] and [skill 2] • [A real result, if there was one] I'd be glad to write one for you too. Completely understand if you don't have time. Best, [Your name]
Or let the generator fill it in — scroll up to start.
Recommendation Request vs Writing a Recommendation
Requesting a Recommendation (This Tool)
- You're asking someone to vouch for your work
- Relationship context matters (manager vs peer vs client)
- Should say what to highlight and make it easy
- Checked for project, skills, ease, and an easy no
- Best for: adding proof to your LinkedIn profile
Writing a Recommendation
- You're vouching for someone else's skills and work
- Should be specific, honest, with concrete examples
- A generous way to start: write one, then ask
- Shows you give before you ask
- Best for: strengthening relationships
Recommendations vs Endorsements
| Recommendation | Endorsement | |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | A written testimonial | One click on a skill |
| Who can give it | Your connections | Your 1st-degree connections |
| Effort | A few sentences | A second |
| What it shows | How you work, in someone's words | Which skills people back you on |
| You control | Whether it's shown | Whether endorsements are shown |
Track your skill endorsements with the Endorsement Tracker.
6 Recommendation Request Mistakes
The default LinkedIn message
Replace it with a personal, specific request.
Asking people who barely know you
Ask people who saw your work up close.
Leaving it open-ended
Name the project and 1–3 skills.
Asking during their busiest week
Pick a calmer moment.
Repeated reminders
One nudge, then let it go.
Forgetting to say thanks
Thank them — and return the favour.
Who Should Use the Recommendation Request Generator?
Job seekers
Add proof to your profile before you apply.
Students & grads
Recommendations from professors and internships.
Professionals
Capture praise after a big project.
Freelancers & consultants
Client recommendations that win work.
Managers
Show your leadership from your team's view.
Career changers
Highlight transferable skills.
Tutorials & Guides
Pro Tips
Ask right after a win
Praise is easiest to write when the project is fresh.
Mix your relationships
A manager, a peer, and a client tell a fuller story.
Keep a list
Note who you've asked and when — one reminder each.
Match your goals
Ask for skills that fit the roles you want next.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many LinkedIn recommendations should I have?
LinkedIn doesn't set a target. A handful of specific recommendations from different relationships — a manager, a colleague, a client — usually tells a fuller story than many vague ones. Quality and relevance matter more than the number.
Who should I ask for a recommendation?
People who know your work well enough to be specific: a manager who saw a major project, a colleague you worked with daily, a client you delivered for. Avoid people you barely worked with — vague recommendations don't help much.
Should I write a recommendation for them first?
It's a generous move and makes asking easier — but only if you genuinely know their work. Write a specific one first, then ask. The tool has an “I already wrote theirs” option for exactly this.
How does the scoring system work?
Each request is checked for: their name, no filler, a clear ask, a shared project, which skills to highlight, whether it makes writing easy (talking points), whether it's easy to say no, a readable length, and no unfilled [placeholders].
What if they say no or don't respond?
Don't take it personally. Send one gentle reminder after about a week (the tool writes it for you). If there's still no reply, let it go and ask someone else.
Is this tool free?
Yes — completely free with no login required. Generate unlimited requests across 6 relationship types and 3 tones, plus reminders and thank-you notes. Sign in to sync saved messages.
How do I request a recommendation on LinkedIn?
Go to the person's profile, click More, then Request a recommendation. Choose your relationship and your position at the time, replace the default message with your own, and send. (Source: LinkedIn Help.)
Can I ask someone I'm not connected with?
No — LinkedIn only lets you request recommendations from your 1st-degree connections. Connect first, then ask.
Can I change the relationship after sending?
No. LinkedIn Help says the relationship can't be edited once a request is sent; the other person would need to delete it so you can send a new one. Double-check before sending.
How long can a LinkedIn recommendation be?
The recommendation box allows up to 3,000 characters — but a few specific sentences are usually stronger than a long one. Talking points help people keep it focused.
Do I have to show every recommendation I receive?
No. You choose whether to show a recommendation on your profile, and you can ask the writer for a revision if something's wrong.
What should I ask them to mention?
One to three skills you want to be known for, a specific project they saw, and a real result if there was one. The tool turns these into talking points.
Will the tool invent achievements?
No. Results and projects only appear if you type them. Anything missing shows as a [placeholder] to fill in.
Get a Recommendation Worth Showing
Scroll up, choose who you're asking, add the project and skills, and get a request that's easy to say yes to. It's 100% free.