Why Post on LinkedIn When Starting a New Job?
Posting an update on LinkedIn when you start a new job serves several purposes. First, it allows you to officially announce your new role and company to your network. This keeps your profile up-to-date and allows connections to congratulate you and show their support. Additionally, it’s an opportunity to express your excitement about the new opportunity. Sharing your enthusiasm helps build your personal brand and shows you’re proud to take on this new challenge. Lastly, a new job post expands your visibility within your industry and company. It signals to new connections that you’re actively growing in your career and gives exposure to your new employer’s brand.
In summary, a LinkedIn post when starting a new job checks several boxes:
- Officially announces your new position
- Allows connections to congratulate you
- Conveys your excitement and passion
- Builds your personal brand
- Increases visibility within your industry
- Promotes your new employer’s brand
What Should You Include in the Post?
When drafting your new job announcement post, there are several elements you’ll want to incorporate:
Announce the New Position and Company
Start by formally announcing your new title, company, and start date. This gives all the key details upfront and clearly conveys your professional update. For example:
“I’m thrilled to announce that I’ve joined [Company] as a [Position Title] starting [Start Date].”
Share Your Excitement
Expressing enthusiasm about the new role adds personality and passion to your post. Consider what motivated you to accept the job and highlight that in your messaging. For example:
“I’m passionate about [Company’s Mission] and look forward to contributing my skills in [Key Area].”
Explain Why You Were Drawn to the Company
Detail what excites you about the company culture, values, leadership, or opportunities. This shows followers what compelled you to join and reinforces positive aspects of the employer brand. For example:
“In my conversations with leadership, I was impressed by the team’s commitment to innovation and diversity & inclusion.”
Thank Colleagues Who Helped Along the Way
Show gratitude by calling out connections, colleagues, or mentors who were instrumental in facilitating this new role, whether they helped prepare you for interviews, connected you to the opportunity, or provided career advice. Tag them in your post to share recognition.
Share a Photo
Incorporate visuals to make your post stand out. Options include:
- Professional headshot
- Photo of your work badge/ID
- Picture of your new office space
- Image of the company logo or branding
Aim for high-quality images that convey professionalism.
What Tone Should You Use?
When writing your new job post, use an enthusiastic, grateful tone. Avoid sounding arrogant or like you’re bragging. Key points on tone:
- Express genuine excitement
- Share details, but don’t overshare or sound boastful
- Be humble and grateful for the opportunity
- Use positive language about your new employer
- Keep it professional — don’t get too informal
Maintaining this type of humble, appreciative tone will ensure your post is well-received.
Should You Make it Public?
Most pros recommend making your new job announcement post public on LinkedIn. This significantly expands the visibility of your update compared to just sharing with your connections. A public post:
- Enables all LinkedIn members to see it and engage
- Gets seen by connections of connections (2nd-degree network)
- May get picked up by hashtags and appear on newsfeeds
- Is discoverable via LinkedIn’s search feature
- Helps promote both you and your new employer’s brand
The broader visibility makes the post more impactful. The main downside is that your current employer may see it before you formally give notice. But for most, the benefits outweigh that risk.
When Should You Post?
Aim to share your new job update shortly before you start or within the first week at your new company. Avoid posting weeks in advance. The ideal timing:
- 1-2 weeks before your start date
- Your first day on the job
- Within your first week at the new role
This positioning allows you to ride the wave of excitement as you begin the new position.
How Can You Optimize the Post for Discovery?
To maximize visibility of your new job announcement, incorporate SEO best practices:
- Use keywords like your job title and company in the text
- Add location tags if applicable
- Include relevant hashtags such as #newjob, #dreamjob, #careermove, etc.
- Mention influential people at your new company
- Link to your new company website
- Upload to both LinkedIn feed and profile
- Engage with commenters and resharers
These tips will boost the post’s searchability and reach.
Sample New Job Post Text
Below is an example of effective text for a new job announcement post:
“Thrilled to share that I’m starting a new position as Vice President of Marketing at ABC Company! I’m excited to take on this leadership role at a fast-growing firm that’s innovating how brands use social media analytics and AI.
In my conversations with leadership, I was impressed by ABC’s commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion. And I look forward to leading a team focused on differentiated storytelling and creative campaign development.
Huge thank you to mentors [name], [name] and [name] for your career advice and support over the years. And shoutout to my former colleagues at [company] for always pushing me to grow. So grateful for my experiences there.
Can’t wait to immerse myself in this dynamic organization! If you also work at ABC Company, reach out and say hello!”
Should You Turn Off Commenting?
We recommend leaving comments enabled on your new job post. Interaction and engagement from your network make the post more impactful. Allowing comments shows you’re excited about this next step and welcome discussion. However, if previous job transition posts have led to negativity, turning comments off is reasonable. You can always interact via private messages instead.
Key Takeaways
To recap, here are main tips for what to include when announcing a new job on LinkedIn:
- Formally announce new title, company, start date
- Convey genuine enthusiasm and passion
- Explain why you’re excited to join the company
- Thank people who helped you land the role
- Incorporate visuals like headshot or company logo
- Use a humble, grateful tone avoiding arrogance
- Make the post public to maximize visibility
- Time it around your start date for optimal impact
- Optimize with SEO keywords, hashtags, links, etc.
- Craft engaging text showcasing this next career chapter
Following these best practices will lead to an effective post that maximizes the opportunity of announcing your new position, while building your brand and promoting your new company. Here’s to an impactful post and successful new role!
