On LinkedIn, what others say about you often carries more weight than what you say about yourself. Recommendations — short testimonials written by people who have worked with you — are one of the most powerful ways for students to stand out to recruiters.
Why recommendations matter
1. Credibility
When someone else vouches for your skills, it feels more authentic and trustworthy than simply listing your own accomplishments.
2. Validation of your skills
A recommendation from a professor, mentor or internship supervisor confirms the skills on your profile with real examples.
3. A showcase of your strengths
Recommendations highlight both hard skills (coding, SEO, project management) and soft skills (teamwork, leadership, communication).
4. Networking
Asking for recommendations prompts you to reconnect with professors, mentors, classmates and colleagues — strengthening valuable relationships.
5. Standing out in job searches
Recruiters compare many similar student profiles. Specific, positive recommendations can tip the balance in your favour.
6. Telling your story
Together, recommendations show how you have grown — from a classroom project to an internship to your first role.
7. Building trust
Recommendations offer a third-party view of your abilities and character, which builds trust with people who do not know you yet.
How to make the most of recommendations
- Ask thoughtfully – choose people who know your work well, and personalise every request.
- Make it easy – mention the project, internship or skill you would like them to highlight.
- Offer to write one in return – be sincere and specific when you recommend others.
- Diversify your recommenders – professors, internship supervisors, project guides, classmates and clients.
- Highlight key achievements – ask recommenders to mention specific results.
- Keep them current – ask for new recommendations after each internship or major project.
- Say thank you – gratitude strengthens professional relationships.
- Curate them – you can choose which recommendations to show or hide on your profile.
Message template to request a recommendation
Hi [Name], I hope you are well. I really enjoyed working with you on [project/internship]. I am now applying for [roles] and would be grateful if you could write a short LinkedIn recommendation about my work on [specific task or skill]. I would be happy to write one for you too. Thank you so much!
Who should students ask?
| Recommender | What they can highlight |
|---|---|
| Internship supervisor | Work quality, reliability and results |
| Professor or project guide | Subject knowledge, research and initiative |
| Trainer or mentor | Skills learned and practical projects |
| Club or event lead | Leadership, teamwork and organisation |
| Freelance client | Delivery, communication and outcomes |
Frequently asked questions
How many LinkedIn recommendations should a student have?
Two or three strong, specific recommendations are more valuable than many generic ones.
Can I ask a classmate for a recommendation?
Yes, especially if you worked on a project together — but recommendations from supervisors and professors carry more weight.
Can I edit a recommendation someone wrote for me?
No, but you can ask them to revise it, or choose whether to show it on your profile.
