So let’s talk numbers people. How many recommendations do you have on LinkedIn? 4? 2? None? Now how many connections do you have? 150? 200? 300+? Come on people. Really? Really? You stress me out.

I get asked a lot—“so how many recommendations should I have?” While there isn’t some magic number that every recruiter or hiring manager is looking for, I can tell you there is one that catches their eye—zero. Yeah I am going to go ahead and be honest here…if you don’t have any recommendations on LinkedIn you should probably hang your head. I mean really low. In fact if you don’t have any recommendations…leave a comment below with your Skype, let’s jump online, chat it up a bit, and I’ll give you one. I mean really if you have EVER WORKED A JOB IN YOUR LIFE, you should probably have at least one or two.

People are always telling me they don’t know how to get more. I get it. Trust me. I know it can be weird to ask old colleagues to praise you. It can also be hard if you left a job on bad terms, but still have a few friends working for that company. If you are a consultant, it can seem daunting to connect and then ask for a recommendation. I mean it’s awkward to ask someone how much they like you, and then ask them to explain why they like you.

But you should probably get over it. It’s business people.

I am going to openly disagree with the LinkedIn skeptics and say that I believe LinkedIn is one of the most powerful tools a job seeker has in today’s world. It’s a free bragging platform. With all of the applications they now offer you can pimp out your profile with past projects, blog posts, presentations, information, contacts, and testimonials. You can provide possible employers with links to other awesome things like your Twitter account, personal blog, and online portfolio. LinkedIn is basically a big bright sign that says, “Hire me or regret it.”

If you use it right.

For our purposes here…right = recommendations. So how can you get more? Here is a list of easy ways to go grabbing yourself some recommendations…

5. Bite the bullet. If you haven’t spammed your old colleagues…go do it. Just do it. Stop being such a pansy, what’s the worst that could happen? They don’t write one and you eventually cancel the request, or their recommendation isn’t what you wanted and you hide their recommendation. Either way LinkedIn has enabled you to control what recommendations potential companies see.

4. Recommend others. Get your flattery pants on. Make a list of the top five people you have connected with in business and write them a recommendation. Then send a personal message saying, just wanted to let you know how awesome I think you are. After you recommend someone, LinkedIn automatically prompts them to write a recommendation in return, increasing the likelihood of them recommending you.

3. Look through the yearbook. Whether it is high school, college, or grad school, go and search out people that can speak to your character. Don’t limit your recommendations to solely professional testimonials. Take a trip down memory lane and recommend old friends for their ability to “strive for the very best” or “work harder than anyone you have ever met.” Oftentimes, they too return the favor and these recommendations can be a testament to the person behind the business title.

2. Get creative. Have you spoken on panels? Have you worked on a community project? Have you volunteered with a local group? Go beyond the traditional colleague recommendations and ask yourself what other ways have you “performed?” By building these connections out, you are showing potential employers how well-rounded you are, and how dedicated you are—in all aspects of your life.

1. Go virtual. Okay so maybe after all of the other ideas you still want a few more recommendations, well where else should you turn to but the Interwebz. What online communities are you active in? Maybe you are a huge Twitter user. Maybe you are infamous for lending your knowledge in the LinkedIn questions and answer community. Perhaps you participate in webinars or online radio shows. Wherever you are active online, reach out to those that participate with you regularly. Chances are they are active on LinkedIn and would love nothing more than to praise you for your friendship and engagement online.

Does all of this take time? Yup it sure does, as do most things that return tenfold. Like I said, it can be awkward at first to ask for a recommendation, but just like everything else online…if you are sincere and transparent in your engagement, people will respond.

Best of luck to you my friends, and seriously…go get some recommendations. I’m personally checking every single one of your accounts next Monday. Go. Go. Go.