Do you need a letter of recommendation or are you adding to your LinkedIn recommendations?
It's important to be careful how you ask for a reference and who you ask to recommend you. The last thing you need when you're job searching is to end up with a lukewarm recommendation letter, or even a bad one, like someone I spoke to recently.
Anyone can write a recommendation - the concern is what they are going to write about you. I've seen some letters that would make an employer have second thoughts about offering a job. I can't imagine why someone would write a negative reference letter instead of declining, but they do.
Don't just ask "Could you write a letter of reference for me?" or "Could you recommend me on LinkedIn?" Instead, ask "Do you feel you know my work well enough to write me a good recommendation letter?" or "Would you be able to recommend me on LinkedIn?"
That way, your reference writer has an easy out if they are not comfortable writing a letter and you can be assured that those who say "yes" will be enthusiastic about your performance and will write a positive recommendation.
Here's more on requesting letters of recommendation, including who and how to ask, along with sample recommendation letters to review.
Related: How to Request a Reference | LinkedIn Recommendations | Official Transcripts
Connect With Alison: Connect With Me on Facebook | Follow Me on Twitter | Join My LinkedIn Group | Discuss in the About.com Job Search Forum
Image Copyright LinkedIn