Unfortunately, many-myself included-struggle with uncertainty and utter blankness when finally sitting down to write one. Theoretically, writing a LinkedIn recommendation should be a simple enough task. In spite of the profile basement location of today's LinkedIn recommendation, I still think it's worth writing copy that feels more like a human being and less like a beaten up job description. LinkedIn likes high recommendation counts, according to a Bay Area LinkedIn pilot of which I'm a part right now. Sure, a recommendation like the above bullets and their ilk will technically add one more recommendation to your subject's recommendation pile. Basically, this kind of copy tells us zilch about John and Jane. Jane is a go-getter who gets things done." John is a proven leader who is passionate about his work." So why try to write a great LinkedIn recommendation? Why not just dash off a few lines of well-trodden, risk-free copy used by so many others? Examples (stifle your yawns): In fact, your beautifully crafted copy will these days be cemented to the absolute bottom of your subject's LinkedIn profile. Writing a LinkedIn recommendation-even a really good one-isn't going to win you any literary awards. If you have questions regarding writing recommendation letters for students, please don't hesitate to contact your student or the University Fellowship Office for clarification.Let's face it. Although this text was written primarily for the scientific fields, the advice is applicable to other disciplines. Advice from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute and Burroughs Wellcome Fund.Joe Schall's online handbook, Writing Recommendation Letters.Should you choose to write a letter of recommendation for a student, here are more valuable resources for you to peruse: You do not feel that you are the right person to recommend him/her for the fellowship.You do not feel that you know the applicant well enough or you do not remember enough to provide a good letter.You are not strongly positive in support of the applicant.Letters that evaluate the student as mediocre or average or too many negative evaluations.Letters that focus on courses taken or descriptions of activities/organizations rather than the work that the applicant did within those contexts.Letters that merely summarize information from application.Generic letters or letters that have been reused from other purposes (graduate school admission, for example).Too short, too vague, no specific examples.Foundations are looking for realistic evaluations of students. Discuss why the student would be a strong candidate for the specific scholarship.Situate the applicant's performance in the larger context of your experience. Provide the context in which you know the applicant and for what length of time.academics, leadership skills, employment, etc.) the student should provide you with this information if applicable. Some fellowships require recommendation letters to address specific aspects of the student (i.e. This gives a stronger impression and demonstrates personal knowledge of the student beyond their grade.
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