LinkedIn has become an invaluable tool for networking and job searching. With over 740 million members, LinkedIn is the world’s largest professional network. As a job seeker, one of the most useful features is the ability to announce job updates to your connections. But should you post a job update on LinkedIn? Here are some key considerations.
The Benefits of Posting a Job Update
Posting a job update on LinkedIn can provide several benefits:
- Informs your connections about your career move. A job update shares your new role and company with your network.
- Expands visibility. A job update appears in the LinkedIn feed and notifications, increasing the reach of your announcement.
- Surfaces new opportunities. Sharing your job update means recruiters and business contacts may reach out with new openings or projects.
- Builds your brand. A job update reinforces your professional brand and areas of expertise.
- Creates engagements. People can comment, like, and react to your job update, leading to more connections.
In summary, a job update allows you to efficiently update your entire network, expand visibility, and build your brand on LinkedIn.
Potential Drawbacks of Posting a Job Update
However, there are some potential downsides to consider as well:
- Annoys connections. Some people find job updates repetitive or clutter up their feed.
- Spams your network. Posting too many job updates may come across as spammy.
- Signals job-hopping. Frequent job updates could imply instability or difficulty maintaining roles.
- Creates over-sharing. Some professionals prefer to keep their career details private.
- Looks boastful. Job updates can appear like bragging about a new position.
The main risk is annoying your connections or signaling instability if you post job updates too frequently. Using discretion is advised.
Best Practices for Posting a Job Update
To maximize the benefits and minimize the potential downsides, here are some best practices:
- Post for new roles only. Refrain from posting an update for lateral moves or title changes.
- Wait 12 months minimum. Only post after changing companies or at least 12 months since your last update.
- Craft a personalized message. Share your excitement and summary of the new role.
- Engage with reactions. Thank those who react or comment on your update.
- Update background photo. Change your LinkedIn background photo to your new company.
- Revamp your profile. Update your position, description, and skills to match the new role.
Following these tips will make your job update feel more meaningful and less intrusive.
When You Should Always Post a Job Update
Though you should limit job updates, here are some instances when it is advisable to always post:
- Changed industry or function. Transitioning industries or job types is worth announcing.
- First role after education. Landing your first real job after graduation merits an update.
- New career stage. Updating from entry-level to manager or director levels.
- Major career milestone. Announcing VP, SVP, CEO, etc. roles.
- Switching sectors. Moving from corporate to nonprofit or startups, for example.
Major career moves, first jobs, or sector switches warrant sharing an update on LinkedIn.
Alternatives to Posting a Job Update
If you are concerned about annoying connections or oversharing, here are some alternatives to posting a job update:
- Update employment status. Change your current position on your profile.
- Revise headline. Adjust your professional headline to mention new role.
- Modify intro. Change the summary intro on your profile to share news.
- Message key connections. Personally reach out to share the update with close contacts.
- Update background photo. Upload a new background photo with your company name.
These changes will allow you to selectively share your job update in a more discreet yet still impactful way.
Should You Post a LinkedIn Job Update?
Here is a summary of the key considerations on whether you should post a LinkedIn job update:
Pros | Potential Cons | Best Practices |
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Ultimately, posting occasional job updates for major career moves can be an effective way to expand your visibility and build your professional brand on LinkedIn. But be selective and limit updates to avoid frustrating your network. When in doubt, make other profile adjustments to subtly share your news.
Conclusion
Posting a LinkedIn job update has benefits like informing your network, increasing visibility, surfacing opportunities, building your personal brand, and sparking engagement. However, potential drawbacks include annoying connections, perceived spamminess, implied instability, oversharing concerns, and boastfulness.
To maximize advantages while minimizing risks, post updates judiciously for major career changes and milestones. Wait at least 12 months between updates, craft a personalized message, and engage with commenters. Also update other aspects of your profile like employment status, headline, summary, and background photo.
Used selectively for significant career moves and with discretion, a LinkedIn job update can be an effective way to expand your professional network and visibility. But refrain from oversharing minor job changes to maintain positive relationships across your connections.
Following these best practices will allow you to leverage LinkedIn job updates to build your brand and opportunities, without going overboard and alienating your network. The key is being strategic and purposeful with when and how you share your career news on LinkedIn.
LinkedIn is an incredibly powerful platform for networking and advancement. But there is an art to maximizing its benefits. With the right strategy, posting judicious job updates at major milestones can help boost your profile, visibility, and brand on the world’s top professional networking site.
By understanding both the potential upsides and downsides and establishing some prudent guidelines for posting frequency and messaging, you can use LinkedIn job updates to open doors and elevate your career over the long-term.