Social media is all the rage and certainly a powerful medium at that! Linkedin.com career profile marketing is the cornerstone for gaining immediate visibility worldwide. Fantastic! Each day, the numbers increase with new users, broadened network connections, and information to easily boost your knowledge base.
Perhaps one of the most frequently discussed topics pertains to writing linkedin.com recommendations. How to use them? How to write them? What to say? Can this be used as a reference? And so on.
While much has been blogged on these questions, there has not been much discussion on HOW TO handle a request for a recommendation from someone who provokes one of the following thoughts while reading your inbox email:
- You didn’t speak to me when we worked together, why are you asking me for a recommendation?
- You were the biggest jerk in on the team…are you kidding me?
- LOL…Do you REALLY want me to write a recommendation on you as a leader?
- John…John who?
I chose this topic after listening to a client of mine vent her frustrations.
“Can you believe XYZ asked me for a recommendation?”
My reply, “Yes…actually I can. I believe just about anything these days.”
In this particular situation, the requester did not speak to my client, wildly tried to cause political havoc, and was a litigious nightmare.
Turning Down a Linkedin.com Request for a Recommendation
Listed below is the most basic and effective method of managing the unwelcome request.
Two step approach:
- Be honest
- Keep your response simple
Sample:
At this time, I do not think we worked together long enough for me to name your strengths, capabilities, and work ethic. Wishing you success!
OR
While I would like to be able to write a recommendation for you, I do not think I am the best person for this request. All the best!
Why Write a Response?
Offering an honest response is both beneficial to the requester (even if they are off of the mark) and to you. You are developing your confrontation skills in a healthy manner which will only help you in the long run. This will also help you establish healthy boundaries which are important to your credibility and professional brand.
If these reasons alone do not inspire you to take the high road, remind yourself that writing a response also lets the person know that “just is not that into him/her”.
Let’s hear it for a return to integrity and honesty!
Glad you see the message in the blog Casey! Thank you for reading my blog! tk