Here’s How Helpful LinkedIn Recommendations Are, According to 16 Hiring Managers

We live in an evermore hyperconnected world in which many people are getting jobs already based on word-of-mouth recommendations and connections—someone always knows someone who knows someone with whom a job seeker could connect via some form of social media. So do hiring managers even read the recommendations and endorsements on LinkedIn anymore (or have they ever)? And, if so, how important are they?

We reached out to hiring managers to inquire about just how much they read LinkedIn recommendations, and if those appraisals sway their opinions of candidates or not. The general consensus: LinkedIn recommendations are valuable (endorsements, not so much), but not having any probably won't lose someone a job.

Here's what the experts had to say.

1. They're a "plus."

"For me, I will always look at someone's LinkedIn profile, including the recommendations, and positive recommendations are a plus," says Stacy Caprio, founder of Growth Marketing. "They also reinforce that I want to hire the person if they have multiple very good recommendations. However, not having recommendations is not a dealbreaker. I will still talk to the person, look at their work, and make a decision