Social proof (what others says about you) has always been important to success. Within LinkedIn there are several ways to leverage social proof, including Recommendations and Endorsements.
The Endorsements feature within your LinkedIn Profile allows your first degree connections to offer social proof regarding the skills you have listed in your profile. The feature is easy to set up and use.
Yes, I know, since 2012 when the feature was introduced there has been a love/hate relationship with Endorsements . . . but that’s a post for another time.
LinkedIn Endorsements are a public statement of support, or approval of, your skills in a specific area. Unfortunately, LinkedIn has not encouraged users to be thoughtful about using the tool or endorsing others.
By following the recommendations listed below you can favorably influence the value of your Endorsements:
1. Review the skills in your profile. You can list up to 50 skills. Ensure the skills you list are consistent with your current professional focus and strategy. Keep in mind that few people will wade through a list of 50, so it important to list your most important skills first.
2. Appropriately endorse your connections. Make a list of your first degree connections that you are willing to endorse. Your official public statement or approval of someone’s skills on LinkedIn is a valuable gift. Your endorsement is social proof of a person’s skill. Set up time in your schedule, review each profile and endorse the skills you are willing and able to talk to others about. Don’t forget to write LinkedIn recommendations for your connections as appropriate. This is a pay-it-forward activity. Don’t expect an endorsement or recommendation in return. Also, do not feel obligated to endorse everyone who endorses you. One reason the value of endorsements has been questioned by some is the quid pro quo factor.
3. Review your settings. If the big blue box that appears when you view profiles saying, “Show me suggestions to endorse my connections” annoys you, turn it off. I don’t recommend you elect not to be endorsed as that action is akin to saying, “No thanks, keywords don’t matter.” Keywords within your profile are important and helpful to others.
It is easier than you think to build social proof and leverage your LinkedIn Profile. If you need help leveraging the power of LinkedIn feel free to contact me.
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Cindy, I love your suggestions for endorsements on LinkedIn. Having a plan is always the best way to handle this. I would add that sometimes people will endorse you for skills that may not be your first choice and you can delete them.
Thanks for shedding some new light on what I often thought was just annoying. Now I am rethinking endorsements…
Thanks for offering this clear advice on LinkedIn endorsements, Cindy. I think that many LinkedIn users feel frustrated by the feature, simply because they don’t know what to do for others and what impact endorsements have on their own profile. I particularly like this recommendation you made, “Also, do not feel obligated to endorse everyone who endorses you.” And I completely agree – you should not endorse someone for skills they don’t have or you haven’t observed.
AS usual Cindy – you always offer great advice. I think it’s a great way to position the endorsements – knowing that they are keywords and will help your search. Thanks a lot!