Before reaching out to a potential candidate, many hiring managers will take a look at their LinkedIn profile, a web tool that can be beneficial to both employers and candidates alike. On one hand, the employer can learn more about the candidate before committing to a more time consuming interview, while on the other, the job seeker has the opportunity to highlight things about their background that may not fit on a resume. One way a job seeker can impress an employer is through the recommendations feature.

These recommendations don’t need to be long—generally 3-6 sentences will be more than enough—but it’s important that they speak to your performance and professional skills. Here are a few quick tips for obtaining one or more solid recommendations on LinkedIn.

Understand what it will be used for

Think about where you are in your career right now. Are you a seasoned professional looking to make a jump to a more advanced position? Are you fresh out of school looking to begin your career? Perhaps you’re looking to make an entirely new career change. In any case, a recommendation can help companies understand your contributions to past employers, and any value you can bring to the table.

If you’re looking to make a career move within the same profession, be sure you know what kind of move you’d like to make. Seek a recommendation that can prove your track record with handling industry-specific tasks/deadlines/projects. If you’re looking to move toward a different career path, seek out a recommendation that is less industry specific and can speak to your ability to adapt to change and make a transition. Also try to ensure that your other crucial soft skills that can transfer across fields, such as the ability to work independently and punctuality, are emphasized.

Seek out someone with experience

Having a few solid recommendations is far more preferable than a long list of short ones—you want quality over quantity.  When looking for someone to ask for a recommendation from, look for someone who is not only experienced in your field, but someone with good writing skills. While these references will generally only be a paragraph, you want whatever is written to avoid lax/cliche language such as “They are great to work with” or “I enjoyed working alongside…” without any explanation behind it.

As a result, it can be helpful to reach out to a more experienced professional who has probably written at least a few recommendations before and knows what content and key words future employers are looking for. An employer will want to know how you perform with colleagues and bosses alike. Asking both a former supervisor and colleague for a recommendation can speak to your abilities from different points of view.

Keep your request succinct

When asking for a recommendation, be aware of the fact that you’re not only asking for a favor, but one that requires forethought. Be respectful of their time and keep your request brief, personal, and courteous.  To make sure you get the most out of your request, inform them of key points such as:

• A reminder of how you know each other
• What you’re hoping to accomplish professionally with this recommendation
• Your availability for any further questions

Keep your request short so that they are able to read your message and draft a response in a timely manner. Finally, remember to always thank them for their time and offer to return the favor!