How to Ask a Professor for a LinkedIn Recommendation in Singapore

How to Ask a Professor for a LinkedIn Recommendation in Singapore

A LinkedIn recommendation from a professor carries real weight — especially in the first two years of your career when your professional references are limited. A thoughtful, specific recommendation from an NUS, NTU, or SMU professor who supervised your project work or saw your academic performance up close gives a recruiter a third-party endorsement of your capabilities that a generic "good student" line cannot replicate.

Most students, however, ask for recommendations badly. They send a last-minute LinkedIn request with no context, no materials, and no indication of what they need said. This guide fixes that.

When to Ask

Timing is the most important variable. The best window to ask is at or immediately after the end of a module or project where the professor saw your best work.

Ideal timing:

• Last week of the semester, after submitting your final project or paper
• Immediately after receiving your final grade for the module (if it is strong)
• During the module's oral presentation period, if you impressed in your presentation

Too late:

• Six months after the module ended (professors have taught hundreds of students since; their specific memory of you fades)
• During exam period (professors are occupied; requests feel poorly timed)
• Right before an application deadline (leaves no time for a quality recommendation)

If you missed the ideal timing window and genuinely need this recommendation, you can still ask — but provide more context to compensate for the time gap.

Which Professor to Ask

Not every professor is equally appropriate to ask. Choose professors who:

1. Taught you in a small class or project-based module — They will have a clearer memory of your individual contributions
2. Supervised or assessed your project or thesis — They have direct evidence of your research and analytical abilities
3. Gave you a strong grade and positive feedback — Their recommendation will be credible and specific
4. Are known and respected in the field you are entering — An NUS Finance professor's recommendation carries more weight for a finance internship than a liberal arts professor's

Avoid asking professors:

• In large lecture courses where you were one of 500 students with no interaction
• Who gave you a weak grade
• You barely know, purely because of their academic prestige

The Email Request

Do not send a LinkedIn recommendation request cold. Email the professor first to ask permission and set context. Here is a template:

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Subject: LinkedIn Recommendation Request — [Your Name], [Module Code/Name]

Dear Professor [Last Name],

I hope this message finds you well. I am [Name], a [Year] student in [Programme] at [University]. I was in your [Module Name] class in [Semester/Year] and had the privilege of working on [briefly describe the project or coursework].

I am currently applying for internships in [field, e.g. investment banking / data analytics / consulting] and would be honoured if you would be willing to write a LinkedIn recommendation for me. I believe your perspective on my work in [module/project] would be particularly valuable to prospective employers.

To make this as easy as possible, I have attached:

• My current resume
• A brief summary of the project work you oversaw
• Key points I would appreciate you highlighting, if you are willing

Of course, I leave the wording entirely to your judgment. If you are open to this, I will send the LinkedIn recommendation request after hearing from you. I completely understand if you are too busy, and I would be happy with a response either way.

Thank you for your time and for your excellent teaching in [module name].

Warm regards, [Your Name] [Student ID] [Contact Number] [LinkedIn Profile URL]

What to Include With Your Request

The most important thing you can do to get a strong recommendation is to make it easy for the professor to write it. Include:

1. Your resume. One page. This reminds them of your broader profile and gives them context for how you fit into the role you are applying for.

2. A brief project summary. A half-page document reminding them of the project you did together: the objectives, your specific contributions, and the outcome. Most professors teach multiple cohorts per module — this refreshes their memory precisely.

3. Suggested talking points (optional but very helpful). A short bullet list of skills or qualities you would like the recommendation to highlight:

• Technical skills (e.g., strong quantitative analysis, Excel modelling proficiency)
• Soft skills (e.g., proactive communication, leadership in group settings)
• Specific outcomes (e.g., "our project received the highest grade in the cohort" or "my proposal was adopted as a recommendation for the company we analysed")

Make clear that these are suggestions, not prescriptions. "I have included a few notes in case they are helpful, but please write whatever reflects your genuine assessment."

4. Your target roles. A sentence about what you are applying for helps the professor frame the recommendation in the most relevant terms. "I am applying for summer analyst positions in investment banking and financial services" or "I am applying for data analyst and product manager internships at tech companies in Singapore."

Following Up

If you do not receive a response within one week, a single polite follow-up is appropriate:

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Dear Professor [Last Name],

I wanted to gently follow up on my email from [date] regarding a LinkedIn recommendation. I completely understand if you are busy — please do not feel obliged. If you are open to it, I remain grateful for any support you can offer. Thank you for your time.

Best regards, [Your Name]

One follow-up is appropriate. Two is pushing it. If they do not respond after a second follow-up, they are likely unable to help — find another referee.

Sending the LinkedIn Request

Once the professor has agreed, send the LinkedIn recommendation request directly through LinkedIn (go to their profile, scroll to Recommendations, click "Request a recommendation"). In the optional note field, write:

"Dear Professor [Name], thank you again for agreeing to write a recommendation. I have attached [/outlined in my previous email] the relevant background. Please let me know if you need anything else. I am grateful for your support."

What to Expect

A typical LinkedIn recommendation from a Singapore university professor for an undergraduate student will be 3–6 sentences. A strong one will mention:

• Specific project or module context
• Observable skills (analytical rigour, communication, intellectual curiosity)
• Your standing relative to peers, if they are willing to say
• A closing endorsement for the type of role you are seeking

You cannot control what the professor writes. If the resulting recommendation is vague or weak despite your best efforts, you can politely ask for one additional point: "Would you be able to add anything about [specific skill]?" — but do not push if they decline.

How Many Recommendations Should You Have?

Aim for two to three LinkedIn recommendations by the time you enter your penultimate year:

• One from a professor or academic supervisor
• One from a professional supervisor (internship manager, volunteer programme coordinator, tutor centre head)
• Optionally, one from a senior peer in a CCA leadership context

Quality matters more than quantity. A generic five-sentence recommendation that says nothing specific is worth less than a targeted three-sentence recommendation from someone who clearly knows your work.

Treat your recommendation profile as an ongoing investment — ask after each significant academic or professional experience while the memory is fresh, not in a frantic catch-up session before a major application deadline.