Most job seekers overlook one of their most powerful tools: social proof. Recommendations on social media can build trust, strengthen your credibility, and make employers more likely to hire you.
Why do you need social proof in job search?
When a job posting brags that the company has “a very inclusive culture” and “great work-life balance,” you take it with a grain of salt, right? Well, that’s the same way they take your claims, in your resume and interviews, about being “collaborative” or “an inspiring leader.”
It’s just human nature: we know that people have biased opinions about themselves. We’re more convinced by what others say about them.
This is especially the case in today’s “review culture,” where we so often check reviews before choosing a dentist, a tax accountant, and so on.
“But isn’t that what references are for?”
Not exactly. Usually, references are only checked after the employer has already decided to make an offer. They don’t help you get to that point.
Smart use of social proof can help you get that initial phone screening, and the offer.
How can you use social proof to land interviews and a job?
Start with LinkedIn. Request Recommendations from past and current colleagues, partners and customers. Aim for at least one or two for every job you’ve held–and preferably several. Strive for quality as well as quantity. And don’t confuse Recommendations with the endorsements in the Skills section. Those are good too, but not as valuable as Recommendations that vouch for your strengths and accomplishments. Here are just a few reasons why Recommendations are so powerful:
Having more Recommendations also increases your search rankings (especially if the Recommendations include relevant keywords). Recruiters often search LinkedIn for candidates, and LinkedIn’s developers know that recruiters want candidates whose colleagues think highly of them.
It’s also important to have a sufficiently large network, especially if being well-connected is considered important in your occupation. Look at how many connections other successful people in your field have. Then aim to have even more than they do, because most people – even very successful people – aren’t very good at optimizing their LinkedIn profiles. You can do better.
Once you have Recommendations, quote brief snippets from them in the “About” section of your profile. You might write something like this: “I appreciate the kind words of Sherry Chen, who wrote that I’m a ‘first-rate team member, both technically and in terms of people skills.’ (See Recommendations, below.)”
Use social proof in your resume. Once you’ve gained a lot of social proof in your profile, make sure employers notice it: quote from recommendations in your resume.
Consider other social media. Make sure you look good on any social media or forums where you appear by name. Various platforms can provide social proof for your job search. But if you find social media overwhelming or not useful, just focus on LinkedIn.
Capitalize on word of mouth when applying for a job. Like anyone, employers are more likely to trust and believe people they know. If you know someone connected to the company you’re applying to, or someone who knows the hiring manager, consider asking them to forward your resume directly to that manager and/or put in a good word for you. Why save that amazing VIP reference for the very end of the process?
Networking is an important source of social proof. If you hate networking or it isn’t working for you, chances are you’re not going about it in the right way. Learn how to network painlessly and productively so that more people will know about your abiities, while you’ll become better informed about companies and trends in your industry.
How do you get LinkedIn recommendations?
The main way is to ask for them. Read my post on best practices in requesting recommendations.
Now, which of these social proof tips will you put into practice this week to help you land that new job? (This post has been updated for 2025.)
