Are you completely annoyed or totally intrigued by LinkedIn’s Endorsements feature? Regardless, it has reportedly increased traffic to this professional online networking tool by 60%! My opinion is mixed but I like the attraction the endorsements feature has brought to my profile others within my network. LinkedIn was brilliant for adding it. Allow me to educate and please share your thoughts!
What Are Endorsements?
With a quick and easy click or two, you can ‘endorse’ your 1st Level connections based on the skills they have included in their personal profile. (You can’t endorse them if they haven’t completed their profile with specific skills)
How Do They Work?
Different from recommendations, you don’t necessarily have to ask for them nor do you have complete control over which skills your connections choose to endorse you for. If you have a completed profile, you can (and will) get endorsed. However, you can proactively send out a personal message to your connections and ask them to endorse you for certain skills and expertise. If you want to stand out, be recognized and earn trust for your special strengths and expertise, it doesn’t really hurt to ask for an endorsement. I do recommend that you return the favor especially if you know the person who took the time to endorse you!
Why Are They Controversial?
There are mixed opinions in the professional online networking community. They pop up automatically (kind of like an advertisement you didn’t ask for) and can suck you in. It’s easy to endorse your connections without really thinking about what you are clicking on. Some say people are just patting each other on the back without really giving it a lot of thought and therefore don’t mean as much as a well written statement as a recommendation requires.
Regardless, I am intrigued. When someone from my network recommends me, it makes me smile. It gives me a reason to reconnect or say, ‘Hey thanks for the endorsement!’
