Announcing a new job or position on LinkedIn is an excellent way to share your career updates with your professional network. A well-written announcement allows you to control the narrative, highlight your accomplishments, and get your connections excited about your next move.
Should you announce a new position on LinkedIn?
There are several benefits to announcing a new position on LinkedIn:
- Inform your network – Your connections want to stay updated on your career. An announcement post allows you to efficiently share the news in your own words.
- Expand your reach – Your post can be viewed well beyond just your direct connections, increasing awareness about your new role.
- Control the narrative – You can shape the story and highlight details you want emphasized, rather than leaving it to the rumor mill.
- Build excitement – An announcement post creates anticipation and encourages engagement from your network.
- Promote yourself – It’s a chance to showcase your skills, experience, and accomplishments that made you suitable for the new role.
The main downside is that it informs your current employer that you plan to leave or have already left. You may want to wait until after you’ve resigned to make the announcement.
How to write a LinkedIn new position announcement
Follow these tips to craft an effective announcement post:
Pick the right time
Ideally, announce the new position after you’ve formally accepted the offer but before your start date. Avoid announcing too early or waiting too long.
Use an attention-grabbing headline
Summarize the news in your headline, such as “Starting a new role as _______” or “Excited to announce I’ve joined _______.”
Open with the big news
Briefly share the new job title, company, and start date near the top of your post so the key details are visible without having to click “see more.”
Describe your excitement
Express your enthusiasm for the company and the new opportunities this role will bring. Share why it’s the right next step for you.
Explain why you were hired
Briefly summarize your qualifications and achievements that made you a strong candidate without sounding boastful.
Thank your network
Show appreciation to the connections who have helped you throughout your career and supported your success.
Call to action
Invite readers to connect with you personally to continue the conversation or ask those at your new company to reach out.
Engage with comments
Respond to congratulatory comments and comments asking for more details or offering connections at your new company.
Example new position announcement text
Here is sample text you can adapt for your own new position announcement:
I’m thrilled to share that I’ve accepted a new role as Vice President of Marketing at [Company Name], starting next month! This opportunity is the ideal next step for me to take on more leadership responsibility and oversight of an entire marketing department.
I’m so grateful to have been chosen by [Company Name]’s exceptional leadership team. They saw my decade of experience driving marketing strategy and leading successful campaigns for top brands as a perfect fit to elevate their marketing efforts. I’m honored by their belief in me, and I can’t wait to hit the ground running.
Thank you to my wonderful network for all of your guidance and support over the years. I wouldn’t be where I am today without you. If you know anyone at [Company Name], please connect us! I’d love to expand my network at my new company.
I’m counting down the days until I start this exciting new chapter! Feel free to reach out personally to continue the conversation.
Should you notify your employer first?
It’s usually wise to notify your current employer that you are leaving before announcing it publicly on LinkedIn. Here are some tips on the best timing and order:
- Submit your resignation letter/email first, before any public announcement.
- Allow time for your manager to absorb the news before notifying the wider team.
- Wait at least 24-48 hours after resigning privately before sharing the news on LinkedIn.
- Offer to help transition your responsibilities to aid the hand-off process.
Giving proper notice and making the resignation process smooth for your employer maintains your professional reputation. This preserves the option of using them as a positive reference for future job searches.
What to include in your resignation letter/email
Your resignation notification to your employer should include:
- Your resignation date.
- Where you are going next and what your new role will be.
- An expression of gratitude for the opportunities you were given.
- An offer to aid with the transition of your work.
Keep the letter concise, positive, and productive. This is not the place to air grievances or complain about your reason for leaving. Take the high road.
How to handle questions about why you’re leaving
You may get questions from colleagues about why you’re moving on. Use these strategies to respond gracefully:
- Keep it positive – Explain you’re pursuing a new opportunity aligned with your skills and passions without disparaging your current role.
- Share your appreciation – Express gratefulness for your time with the company and the relationships you built.
- Redirect the focus – Shift the conversation to your replacement and ensuring continuity for the team/customers.
- Keep it brief – You can simply say you were presented with an opportunity you couldn’t pass up.
Avoid sharing negative thoughts or complaining, as tempting as it may be. Take the high road on your way out.
Things to do before announcing a new position
Check these items off your list prior to publicly announcing your new role:
- Formally accept the offer.
- Set an official start date.
- Resign from your current position.
- Wait at least 24-48 hours after resigning privately before a public announcement.
- Update your LinkedIn profile summary and work experience for the new role.
- Draft the announcement post and have someone review it.
Following this timeline allows you to tie up loose ends properly at your old job first before sharing the news wider.
How to update your LinkedIn profile for a new position
To prepare your LinkedIn profile before announcing your new role, you should:
- Add the new job title and company.
- Set the start date.
- Briefly describe your new responsibilities.
- Update your profile summary to reflect the new role.
- Revamp your profile headline to mention the new job.
- Expand your skills section with any new skills needed for the role.
- Refresh your profile photo and cover photo if needed.
Updating all these elements helps frame the announcement within the context of your broader professional story and work history. It makes the news seem like a natural progression rather than coming out of the blue.
How to get the most engagement on your post
To maximize views and engagement on your new position announcement post, incorporate these best practices:
- Post around mid-week, when engagement tends to be highest.
- Write an eye-catching headline using power words like “excited” or “thrilled.”
- Use relevant hashtags like #newjob, #careerchange, or your industry.
- Tag your new company and colleagues from the organization.
- Include a photo of yourself, your new office, or your team.
- Ask readers to share congratulations or career advice in the comments.
Promoting your post and engaging with comments helps it reach well beyond your direct connections for maximum impact.
Mistakes to avoid when announcing a new position
Steer clear of these missteps when sharing your job change on LinkedIn:
- Announcing before you’ve formally resigned at your old job.
- Making negative comments about previous employers or roles.
- Exaggerating your new position or responsibilities.
- Sharing confidential company information from your old or new employer.
- Posting too frequently – don’t spam connections with multiple posts.
- Forgetting to thank your network for their support.
You want your post to come across as genuine, professional, and considerate. Follow best practices to make the right impression.
Key takeaways
Here are the key tips to recap on announcing a new position successfully:
- Resign privately first before any public announcement.
- Wait at least 24-48 hours after resigning to announce on LinkedIn.
- Craft an attention-grabbing headline and opening.
- Express your excitement and qualifications briefly.
- Thank your network for their support.
- Update your LinkedIn profile details ahead of time.
- Post at mid-week for optimum engagement.
- Engage with comments and share updates.
Announcing your new role with care and consideration sets you up for a smooth transition and maintains your professional reputation.
FAQs
How soon should you announce a new job on LinkedIn?
Wait 24-48 hours after resigning from your current role before announcing the news on LinkedIn. This gives your employer time to digest the news before it is shared publicly.
Should you notify your boss before posting on LinkedIn?
Yes, it is courteous to notify your direct manager and/or HR of your resignation before posting it publicly on LinkedIn or elsewhere.
What is the best day to announce on LinkedIn?
Mid-week days like Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday tend to see the most LinkedIn activity and engagement. Avoid weekends or Mondays/Fridays.
Should you customize connection requests when changing jobs?
Yes, personalizing connection requests to mention you are starting a new role and would value connecting can boost acceptance rates.
| Day of Week | LinkedIn Engagement Level |
|---|---|
| Monday | Low |
| Tuesday | High |
| Wednesday | Very high |
| Thursday | High |
| Friday | Moderate |
| Saturday | Low |
| Sunday | Low |
This table demonstrates that the middle of the work week, Tuesday-Thursday, tends to see the highest LinkedIn engagement and optimal timing for announcing new positions.
What should you do if your boss seems upset about your resignation?
If your manager reacts negatively to your resignation, stay calm and professional. Reiterate that you appreciate your time at the company, and you want to ensure a smooth transition. Offer to help train your replacement and tie up any loose ends on projects.
Conclusion
Announcing a new position on LinkedIn comes with great power and responsibility. It allows you to share exciting career updates on your terms, but should be handled with care and consideration. By following best practices around timing, messaging, profile updates and engagement, you can share your big news gracefully and professionally.
Most importantly, approach your transition thoughtfully to build and preserve your reputation. This will set you up for success in your new role and beyond.