Have you suddenly been receiving a lot of endorsements? There’s an explanation for that.
LinkedIn recently launched a new feature called Endorsements. The feature allows LinkedIn users to endorse their connections on a specific skill or area of expertise with one click, instead of needing to write a whole review.
And visitors are prompted to leave endorsements as soon as they go to the LinkedIn site. Here’s what the new feature looks like:
The result? It’s now super simple and fast to endorse your connections. And it is now more likely that YOU will receive endorsements.
How the new LinkedIn Endorsements works
When you visit the LinkedIn profile of one of your connections, you will see a big blue box prepopulated with a list of their skills (examples: entrepreneurship, or online marketing). You just click to endorse one or more of them. It’s also just one click to remove any skills you don’t wish to endorse (click the little x next to the listed skill to remove it from the endorsement box).
If you know of other skills the person has that aren’t listed, you can type them in manually. Then that person can accept those suggestions and add them to his or her profile page.
LinkedIn already has a Like feature that lets users give a one-click thumbs-up to posts in groups or status updates. But the Endorse feature is meant specifically for skills. Unlike status updates or posts, it stays on your main page instead of being pushed out over time as you add more status updates.
When you receive an endorsement, you'll be sent an email as well as a notification on LinkedIn. All of the people who have endorsed you will be visible at the bottom of your profile page. Their thumbnail picture appears next to the skill they endorsed you for.
The pros and cons of LinkedIn Endorsements
This move creates even more opportunities for LinkedIn users to connect with one another and add credibility to their profiles.
- Validation of your skills - An endorsement from another user you’ve worked with in the past can help validate the skills you’ve listed for yourself. It shows potential employers, partners, or clients that others recognize you're good at core skills.
- Data for employers to screen during recruiting - Likewise, if you are a small business owner or manager who is recruiting potential employees or partners, it gives you another data point. If one person has 5 endorsements for a skill or capability you consider crucial, versus another person who doesn’t, you may decide to reach out to the one with the endorsements. It’s just one more data point signifying that the person actually has the necessary skills and expertise he or she has listed.
- Forge stronger bonds - Endorsements can forge stronger bonds with connections who endorse you. After all, it’s a nice shot in the arm to receive an endorsement, and know that your connections recognize and appreciate your skills. You probably will get a warm feeling whenever you think of someone who cared enough to endorse you. And after you receive an endorsement you will be asked if you want to reciprocate — again, another opportunity to forge a bond with that person.
The downsides? The biggest downside is that the new Endorsements feature doesn’t lend itself to much depth. But consider the new LinkedIn skills endorsements as a starting point, rather than a replacement, for employment screening or a full recommendation.
For now, LinkedIn Endorsements as a feature is just available in English across the United States, Australia, New Zealand, and India. Endorsements are expected to roll out to all users and all languages over the next few weeks.
The post LinkedIn Releases One-Click Endorsements for Professional Skills appeared first on Small Business Trends.
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