Ever scrolled through LinkedIn and thought, “Wow, this person is incredible at what they do!”? Well, instead of just liking their post or dropping a comment, why not take it up a notch and endorse them? Endorsing someone on LinkedIn is a simple yet powerful way to show appreciation for their skills—and it might even encourage them to return the favor.
Endorsements act as digital references, reinforcing a person’s expertise and helping them stand out in their industry. The more endorsements a skill has, the more credible it appears to recruiters, clients, or potential collaborators. So, if you’ve worked with someone who is great at what they do, giving them a quick endorsement can make a difference in their career.
Beyond credibility, endorsements also contribute to networking. They act as a conversation starter, making it easier to reconnect with colleagues, clients, or past associates. Additionally, they highlight your engagement within your industry and demonstrate that you actively support your professional connections. More importantly, endorsements show that you are not just a passive observer but an engaged participant in your network. By endorsing others, you help create a culture of mutual recognition and support within your professional circles.
Why Endorsing Someone on LinkedIn Matters
Endorsements might seem like just another LinkedIn feature, but they actually serve a bigger purpose. When you endorse someone on LinkedIn, you’re validating their expertise and increasing their credibility. Plus, it helps build stronger professional relationships, which is a win-win!
Think of it this way—when hiring managers or potential business partners browse someone’s profile, they see those endorsements as a stamp of approval. A high number of endorsements for specific skills can boost a professional’s chances of being noticed and even open up new career opportunities. Moreover, endorsing others fosters goodwill and can encourage them to return the favor, increasing your own profile visibility.
Endorsements also enhance your industry reputation. When you consistently endorse high-quality professionals, you signal that you recognize and appreciate talent. This not only benefits those you endorse but also positions you as someone who understands and values expertise in your field. Over time, this practice strengthens your personal brand, making you a well-respected voice within your professional community. Furthermore, it demonstrates your industry knowledge—by endorsing relevant skills, you show that you understand what matters in your field.
How to Endorse Someone on LinkedIn in 3 Simple Steps
Let’s get right to it! Here’s how you can easily endorse someone on LinkedIn:
1. Go to Their Profile
Search for the person you want to endorse and visit their profile. Scroll down to the Skills & Endorsements section—you’ll see a list of skills they’ve added to their profile.
Make sure you are endorsing the right skills that truly represent their expertise. If you have firsthand experience working with them in a specific capacity, endorsing them for that particular skill can be even more impactful. It’s always best to be thoughtful and strategic about your endorsements.
A targeted endorsement not only boosts the credibility of the recipient but also helps maintain the integrity of LinkedIn as a professional platform. When endorsements align with real-life experiences, they hold more value. By endorsing only relevant and well-deserved skills, you contribute to a more trustworthy and reliable LinkedIn ecosystem.
2. Click the Endorse Button
Find a skill that you genuinely believe they excel in and click the endorse button next to it. LinkedIn might ask you how well you know this person’s skill—choose an appropriate level.
This step is crucial because LinkedIn provides three levels of validation: “Good,” “Very Good,” and “Highly Skilled.” Selecting the most accurate level ensures that the endorsement is meaningful. It’s not just about clicking a button—it’s about giving a nod to someone’s real capabilities.
Additionally, endorsements backed by real interactions carry more weight. If you’ve worked on a project together or have seen their work firsthand, your endorsement will feel more authentic and valuable. Taking a few seconds to select the most appropriate level can make the difference between a casual endorsement and one that truly enhances the recipient’s professional standing.
3. (Optional) Add a Personalized Touch
Sometimes, LinkedIn will prompt you to confirm how you know the person’s skills. If you want to go the extra mile, you can also leave a written recommendation, which holds even more weight than a simple endorsement.
A recommendation allows you to elaborate on why you’re endorsing someone. You can mention a specific project you worked on together or highlight a particular moment that demonstrated their expertise. Taking a few minutes to write a thoughtful recommendation can significantly strengthen their profile—and yours too!
Providing written recommendations is an excellent way to showcase professionalism and thoughtfulness. It makes the endorsement feel personal and increases the chances of being noticed by recruiters, clients, or industry peers. A well-written recommendation is a testament to the recipient’s skills, work ethic, and contributions, making it a valuable addition to their profile.
Best Practices for Endorsing Someone on LinkedIn
Before you start endorsing everyone in your network, keep these best practices in mind:
- Be Genuine – Only endorse skills that you have personally witnessed or experienced. Fake or excessive endorsements can dilute the authenticity of LinkedIn as a professional platform.
- Don’t Overdo It – Endorsing too many skills at once can look inauthentic. Instead, focus on a few key skills that truly define the person’s strengths.
- Support It with a Recommendation – If you really want to boost someone’s credibility, a written recommendation alongside an endorsement works wonders. A well-written recommendation carries more weight than multiple endorsements.
- Reciprocity Isn’t Guaranteed – While some people might return the favor, don’t expect endorsements in exchange. Genuine endorsements should be about lifting others up, not about seeking validation for yourself.
LinkedIn is a professional networking platform, and the quality of endorsements affects how useful it is for everyone. Thoughtful endorsements contribute to the credibility of your network and reinforce genuine professional relationships. Taking a strategic and thoughtful approach ensures that your endorsements maintain their authenticity and value over time.
Can You Remove an Endorsement?
Yes! If you ever endorse someone by mistake (oops!), they can manage their endorsements by hiding or removing them in their LinkedIn settings. Likewise, if you feel like an endorsement on your profile doesn’t fit, you can remove it too.
This feature is helpful in maintaining the accuracy of your profile. If you’ve been endorsed for a skill that isn’t relevant to your career anymore, removing it keeps your profile aligned with your current professional focus. Similarly, if you find endorsements from people you barely know, you can adjust your settings to hide them.
Additionally, removing unnecessary endorsements can help recruiters and connections get a clearer picture of your core strengths. If your skills section is cluttered with irrelevant or outdated endorsements, it may confuse potential clients or employers. By regularly curating your endorsements, you ensure that your profile highlights the skills that truly matter in your current career path.
Keeping your profile accurate and relevant ensures that it reflects your current expertise and aspirations. Regularly reviewing your endorsements can help maintain a strong, credible LinkedIn presence. Furthermore, doing so demonstrates professionalism and intentionality, which can set you apart in a competitive job market.
What Happens After You Endorse Someone?
When you endorse someone on LinkedIn, they’ll receive a notification about it. This might prompt them to engage with your profile, endorse you back, or even reach out for a conversation. It’s a great way to stay on people’s radar in a professional and positive way.
Beyond that, endorsements also improve your visibility in search results. When someone is frequently endorsed for a particular skill, their profile is more likely to appear when recruiters or clients search for that expertise. Endorsements can serve as a form of social proof, showing that a person’s skill set is widely recognized and respected.
Engagement on LinkedIn plays a crucial role in professional networking. Consistently endorsing and supporting others fosters relationships that can lead to collaborations, mentorship opportunities, and even job offers. The more you engage with your network in meaningful ways, the more valuable LinkedIn becomes as a tool for career growth.
Final Thoughts
Endorsing someone on LinkedIn is one of the simplest ways to support your connections and help them build their professional credibility. It takes just a few clicks but can have a lasting impact. So, next time you come across a connection whose skills you admire, go ahead and endorse them—it’s a small gesture that can go a long way.
In today’s digital age, professional networking extends beyond just making connections. Small actions like endorsing others can help build meaningful relationships, strengthen personal branding, and encourage collaboration. If you want to stand out and maintain an active LinkedIn presence, engaging with your network through endorsements and recommendations is a great place to start.
