A LinkedIn Recommendation as compared to an Academic Recommendation

Question

In what ways would a Professor's LinkedIn Recommendation differ from his Recommendation for Graduate School(Masters/PhD)?

In other words: In what was does the visibility of a Recommendation change a Professor's Recommendation?

Answer 1

I believe they are totally different.

• LinkedIn recommendation is more towards the visibility of student's soft/technical skills in general while the official letter of recommendation should address the student skills in a more academic/depth way.
• Their audience is different. Recommendation Letter is intended to particular institute/committee while LinkedIn is more to the public general and industry recruiters in particular.
• LinkedIn recommendations counts nothing for the admission committees while might have good impact on industry recruiters.

In short: Academia:- Recommendation Letters. Industry: doesn't hurt to let your supervisor recommending you - if they do have account on LinkedIn :-)