LinkedIn, the professional social network, has recently introduced ‘endorsements’, a feature that makes it easier for people to recognize their connections’ skills and expertise.

With just one click, a person can endorse a connections for a skill they’ve listed on their profile or recommend one they haven’t added yet. So if a connection lists ‘crisis management’ under the Skills & Expertise section of their LinkedIn profile, it is almost effortless to confirm this,  just a click.

Here’s how to endorse LinkedIn connections.  On the top of a connection’s profile, see a list of recommended endorsements.  A LinkedIn member can suggest additional skills to those listed as well. In addition endorsements can be made from the new Skills & Expertise section that showcases these endorsements.

LinkedIn sends notifications of endorsements via email and on LinkedIn. Members can  scroll to the bottom of their profile page under “Skills and Expertise” to see the faces of people who have provided endorsement.  New skills recommended by peers can be added to a profile. Or, members can   also add a new skill by clicking on “add a skill” on their profile pages.

Endorsements do not replace Recommendations.  Recommendations are written testimonials from connections and are showcased in the Experience section of the LinkedIn profile. These have more credibility than Endorsements in the long run because they underline the commenters actual experience of working with an individual. Endorsements acknowledge only that commenter is aware of  level of skills or specialist knowledge.

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