How do you announce a change of job on LinkedIn?

Changing jobs is an exciting and sometimes stressful time. You’ve made the decision to move on from your current role and pursue new opportunities. Now comes the task of sharing the news on LinkedIn in a professional, positive way that maintains your network connections.

Should you announce a job change on LinkedIn?

Yes, announcing your job change on LinkedIn is recommended for several reasons:

• Keeps your network informed – LinkedIn is designed for professional networking and career updates. Your connections want to know what you’re up to.
• Expands visibility – A job update shares your news with your network and often gets viewed by 2nd & 3rd degree connections. This exposes you to more people.
• Professional branding – Posting about career moves shapes your personal brand and online presence as someone active in their industry.
• Engagement – Usually a job change post gets a lot of likes and comments from your connections, raising engagement.

The key is to announce your job change in a thoughtful, positive way that builds your brand vs. burning bridges. Follow some best practices in crafting the message.

How to write a LinkedIn job change announcement

Here are some tips for what to include when announcing your job change on LinkedIn:

Update your LinkedIn profile first

Don’t break the news in your post. Before you craft your job change announcement, update your LinkedIn profile with your new job title and company information. This way when people see your post, your profile reflects the change.

Thank your current/previous employer

Unless you had an extremely bad experience, briefly thank your current (or previous) employer for the opportunities. Keep it positive and take the high road.

Announce your new position

Share your enthusiasm for your new company and role. You can include a brief job description, particularly highlighting any parts of the role that interest you or align with your strengths and passion.

Explain why you took the job

Provide some brief context on why this job change makes sense for you and your career trajectory. Did it allow you to gain new skills, align with your interests, provide growth opportunities, etc.?

Express appreciation for connections

Thank your network connections for their support and for opportunities they may have provided or introduced you to over the years. This is a nice way to strengthen existing relationships.

Next steps

Close your post with what you’re focused on in the days and weeks ahead as you start your new job. This provides your network insight into what you’ll be working on.

Job change announcement examples

Here are two example posts for announcing a job change on LinkedIn:

Example 1

I’m thrilled to share that I’ve joined [New Company] as a [New Job Title]. Having spent the last [X] years at [Old Company] contributing as [Old Job Title], I’m grateful for the tremendous opportunities, colleagues, and experiences.

In my new role at [New Company], I’ll be focused on [responsibilities and goals]. I decided to pursue this opportunity because I was inspired by [New Company’s] mission to [mission] and believe there is great potential to [goals you want to accomplish].

Thank you to my network connections who have provided mentorship and support over the years. As I start this next chapter, I’m energized and excited to [share what you want to learn, goals for the future]. Please reach out if you have any insights on the transition ahead!

Example 2

After [X] wonderful years at [Old Company], today marks my first day as a [New Job Title] at [New Company]!

I’m thrilled to bring my skills in [key skill area] and passion for [interest area] to help [New Company] achieve [goals]. This role will allow me to [learn new things, work with certain technology, lead a team, etc.] – a challenge I eagerly look forward to.

A huge thank you to former colleagues, mentors, and my network for their guidance and support over the years. Onward to new adventures! If you have tips for getting up to speed quickly in a new industry or job, I’d love to connect.

What not to do when announcing a job change

There are a few things you want to avoid when sharing your job update on LinkedIn:

• Don’t complain about your old job – stay positive.
• Don’t share confidential company information from your previous role.
• Don’t exaggerate your new role or make it sound bigger than it is.
• Don’t post on your very first day – give yourself some time to learn more about the company first.
• Don’t make it all about you – express gratitude for those who helped you along the way.

When to announce your job change on LinkedIn

Timing your job change share matters. Here are some recommendations on when to announce:

• After you’ve signed any job offer paperwork and passed the background check
• 1-2 weeks before your start date at the new company
• Your first week at the new job (once you’ve gotten settled in)
• When you have concrete details to share (job title, responsibilities, etc.)

Avoid announcing a job change months in advance or when details are uncertain. The ideal timing is when excitement is high as you’re about to begin or have just begun.

Posting frequency tips

You don’t need to inundate your network with multiple posts about your job change. Here are some tips:

• Announce your new job once when you start
• Post an update after 30-60-90 days reflecting on your experience
• Share job milestones or achievements 1-2 times per year as relevant

Having an occasional cadence of job-related updates keeps your network engaged without oversharing.

Engage with your audience

Once you’ve announced your job change, be sure to respond to anyone who comments or reacts to your post. Thank them for the congratulations and well wishes.

This builds relationships and also signals to your broader network that you’re excited about your new opportunity and appreciate the support.

Update as you take on new roles

Your LinkedIn profile should evolve as your career does. If you get promoted or take on a new role within the same company, share this as an update.

Treat it similarly to announcing a new company – thank your employer, share why you’re excited about the change, and express gratitude for the ongoing opportunity.

Keeping your LinkedIn current helps cement it as the go-to place for your professional journey.

Key takeaways

Here are some key tips for handling job change announcements on LinkedIn:

• Update your profile first before announcing
• Craft your post to express gratitude, enthusiasm, and opportunity
• Time it for 1-2 weeks before you start or early on in your new role
• Avoid negativity, confidential details, or exaggerations
• Engage with anyone who reaches out or reacts
• Periodically share other job milestones and achievements

Announcing your job changes positively maintains your professional brand and keeps your network informed. By following best practices, your news will be received well.

Here is a summary of the key statistics related to job changes on LinkedIn:

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are answers to some common questions about announcing job changes on LinkedIn:

Should I announce leaving my old job or just the new one?

Mention your previous role briefly but put more focus on the new opportunity. Quick thank you to old employer, more details on what you’ll do in new role.

What if I don’t want my current company to know I’m leaving?

Wait until after your last day to announce it once details are finalized. you can say you’re moving on to a new opportunity without specifying the company.

How long should my job change post be?

1-2 paragraphs is ideal. Share only relevant details and make it conversational rather than formal.

Can I change my job title and company on my profile without posting an update?

Yes, you can change your profile quietly. However, posting allows you to share the news on your own terms and build engagement.

Should I post my job change on other social media platforms too?

You certainly can, but LinkedIn tends to be the most appropriate in terms of professional contacts. Tailor the message to each platform.

Conclusion

Announcing your job changes on LinkedIn is important for maintaining your professional brand, engaging your network, and sharing career milestones. By following best practices around timing, messaging, and etiquette you can ensure your job update is well-received. Keep your profile up-to-date, express gratitude, stay positive, and enjoy this new chapter!