Mirrored Recommendations May Get You Positively Noticed

Nothing provides a warm, fuzzy feeling better than a business professional recommendation for capabilities and work performance always generates a warm, fuzzy feeling of appreciation. Traditionally, recommendations provide kudos to for work or work under a supervisor. In the 20^th Century, letterhead recommendations were a norm. Letters of references was a vital job search tool – the final part of an interview.

In the 21^st Century, hard-copy letters of reference can be forged, and letterhead paper can be pilfered to create ‘fake’ letters.  Today’s technology makes an online recommendation valuable, if from an easy-to-track source linking to a referral originator, enabling references validity.  Our technology-based world is growing exponentially towards kudos, referrals, and recommendations via social media.  Social media-driven, viral-based commentary on products or services can make or break a business or a person’s reputation.

Starred ratings on Facebook company pages, professional recommendations on LinkedIn, or Yelp ratings can enhance a user’s credibility. Social sharing creates an implied trust. Recommendations on social media profiles gain attention, but another type of recommendation can also bring you attention. This is a ‘mirrored recommendation.’ You can manipulate a recommendation to bring attention to yourself and potentially obtain more eyes looking at your job qualifications.

Think back to co-workers, bosses, or clients you have worked with over the years. Which of those people did you appreciate for hard work or dedication to their company and subordinates?  Did you learn amazing lessons from them? Did co-workers complete grueling projects despite seemingly impossible goals or get work completed while undergoing external (personal life) pressure? Did an employee in the company, charity organization, or trade group go beyond the call of duty?

Revisit co-workers you would like to provide kudos to or note their unique qualities or achievements. Write the recommendation factually and professionally. Note one or more qualities or accomplishments this person achieved and why kudos is deserved. Ensure your (permanent) email or website URL is mentioned in every recommendation. Provide your cell number and an email to create a valuable SEO back-link to your business profile or professional website.  This ‘trick’ pulls the reader’s attention to yourself as an author, creates curiosity, and may prompt them to click on links. Or, they may want to contact you because of a key word (company name, job title, geographic location).

This attention-getting trick works in positive ways.  It provides a valuable referral to someone who deserves a ‘pat on the back,’ you will be remembered for your work performance, and they may recommend you (quid pro quo).  It can intrigue readers to link to your professional profile to review your capabilities and experience.  

Provide mirrored recommendations to promote secondary interest to yourself. Recruiters look at connections to passive candidates because they may have worked in similar industries or have a similar experience as potential contact for job openings. The recommendation illustrates you as a team player and provides public gratitude.  Carefully crafted backlinks and permanent contact information will definitely provide a return on the investment.

Mirrored Recommendation Example

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Dawn Boyer, Ph.D., owner of D. Boyer Consulting – provides resume writing, editing, publishing, and print-on-demand consulting.  Reach her at: Dawn.Boyer@me.com or visit her website at www.dboyerconsulting.com.

Bio: Dawn D. Boyer, Ph.D., has a successful business and consulting firm in Norfolk, Richmond, Colonial Beach (Dahlgren), and Gloucester, VA.  Her background is 24+ years in the Human Resources field, of which 12+ years are within the Federal & Defense Contracting industry. 

She is the author of 941+ books on business, human resources research, career search practice, women’s studies, genealogy lineages, and adult coloring books.  Her books are listed on Amazon.com under her author’s page for Dawn D. Boyer, Ph.D.