Leaving a job can be an emotional time. You’ve invested time and energy into your role and relationships with colleagues. And now you’re moving on. Updating your LinkedIn profile is probably not the first thing on your mind as you exit. But it’s an important step that shouldn’t be overlooked.
Your LinkedIn profile serves multiple purposes. It’s a living record of your career history and qualifications. It’s a way for colleagues and recruiters to find and contact you. And it’s a personal branding tool that shapes how others perceive you.
Keeping your profile updated ensures you get the maximum value from LinkedIn. And making changes when you leave a company shows you’re proactive in managing your career. But when and how should you update it? Here’s a guide on optimally updating your LinkedIn profile during a job transition.
Should I update LinkedIn before leaving?
It’s best not to update your LinkedIn profile until after you’ve left your job. Here are some reasons it’s better to wait:
- Avoids signaling your intentions – Updating your profile while still employed could alert coworkers you plan to leave before you’re ready to formally announce it.
- Prevents access issues – Some companies block employees from accessing certain LinkedIn features once they’ve added they are leaving.
- Reduces employer concerns – Employers may worry about intellectual property loss if employees update profiles and connections before leaving.
The exceptions are if you’ve already announced your departure publicly or have an agreement with your employer that outlines appropriate timing for updating your profile. Assuming that’s not the case, hold off updating until your last day or after.
How soon after leaving should I update LinkedIn?
Aim to update your LinkedIn profile as soon as possible after your last day. Here are some guidelines on ideal timing:
- Within a week – Update your current position and work dates within one week of your last day. This ensures your profile reflects your current status.
- Within 24 hours – If actively job seeking, update your status and work history details within 24 hours. This allows recruiters to find you sooner.
- After offboarding steps – Wait until after you complete any offboarding tasks like returning equipment and files. This reduces any perceived conflicts.
Updating immediately helps you start connecting with new opportunities faster. The one exception is if you’ve signed a non-compete agreement. Seek legal guidance before updating in that case.
What LinkedIn profile sections should I update?
When leaving a company, focus your LinkedIn updates on these key sections:
- Current position and work experience – Mark your most recent position as ended and include accurate dates. Remove or change current position indicators.
- Headline and summary – Tweak your headline and summary to reflect your transition. For example, “Currently exploring new opportunities as a software engineer.”
- Accomplishments – Update achievements and projects from your recent position. Quantify results when possible.
- Skills – Add any new skills you gained and remove outdated ones.
- Education – Make sure your education history is complete, including recent courses and certifications.
Also review your profile photo, contact info, and recommendations to see if anything needs refreshing. Keeping all sections updated ensures your profile accurately represents you during a career transition.
Should I wait to update until I have a new job?
It’s best not to wait until you have a new position secured to update your LinkedIn profile after leaving a job. Here are some risks with waiting:
- Misrepresents your status – Keeping your old job listed without end date appears like you’re still there.
- Delays networking – You miss out on connections who could help your job search by waiting.
- Creates gaps – It seems like you weren’t doing anything professionally between jobs if dates aren’t accurate.
The exception is if you have signed an agreement prohibiting announcing your departure. Outside of that scenario, update as soon as possible even without another role lined up.
Should I delete connections from my old company?
Generally, avoid deleting LinkedIn connections just because you are leaving a company. Here are some reasons to maintain those connections:
- Future opportunities – You never know when a past colleague may have a new opportunity you could consider down the road.
- References – Former coworkers can potentially serve as references for future roles.
- Brand reputation – Dropping connections harms your brand as someone who nurtures relationships.
Instead of deleting, you can adjust settings like selecting which updates those connections see. Maintain the connections even if leaving on bad terms. The exceptions are if you feel someone poses a threat to your safety or cybersecurity.
How should I explain why I’m leaving a job?
When updating your LinkedIn profile after leaving a role, you don’t need to provide an explanation. You can simply list the position end date without further details. However, if you do want to add context, here are some tips:
- Keep it simple – For example, “Left to pursue new opportunities” or “Departed due to restructuring of department.” Avoid oversharing.
- Express gratitude – Thank your colleagues, manager, or the organization as a whole for the opportunities.
- Be positive – Don’t provide critiques or complaints about why you left even if frustrated.
- Check agreements – Ensure you aren’t violating any severance agreement restrictions by providing reasons.
Adding brief positive context demonstrates maturity and professionalism. But less is more, so consider just listing your end date and letting the new position speak for itself.
Should I change my job title if I don’t like the official one?
When updating your LinkedIn profile after leaving a job, stick to your official job title. Here are some risks with changing it:
- Integrity – Altering a job title seems dishonest or deceptive.
- Verification – Background checks will uncover the actual title during employment verification.
- Legal issues – Your former employer may consider it misrepresentation if exaggerated.
- Relevance – Adjusted titles may not be as meaningful to recruiters and connections.
Rather than changing a title, you can expand on your role in the description to highlight your responsibilities more clearly. The exception is if you have an agreement with the employer permitting tweaking the official title.
What about recommendations from colleagues at my old job?
Requesting recommendations from colleagues at your previous job can be a valuable part of updating your LinkedIn profile after leaving. Here are some best practices around recommendations:
- Ask early – Request recommendations before coworkers leave the company as well to retain access.
- Remind contacts – People are busy, so a reminder is reasonable if they agreed to provide one.
- Offer to reciprocate – Volunteer to provide them a recommendation in return.
- Customize requests – Share specifics about skills or projects you hope they’ll highlight.
- Follow up – Thank them after they provide the recommendation.
Personalized recommendations humanize your brand and show you left a positive impression. While asking, be respectful of former colleagues’ time constraints and comfort levels.
Table: Key steps for updating LinkedIn during job transition
| Timing | To Do |
|---|---|
| Before last day | – Ask colleagues for recommendations – Thank key contacts |
| Within 1 week of last day | – Mark position ended with end date – Update headline and summary |
| Within 24 hours if job seeking | – Change status to “Open to work” – Expand profile sections like skills |
| After offboarding | – Return equipment and files – Request or remove company endorsements |
Conclusion
Exiting a job triggers a flurry of tasks, but don’t neglect updating your LinkedIn profile. Ideally make changes within a week and no later than after your last day. Focus on sections like your title, work dates, summary, and skills. Resist bad mouthing employers orContacts can provide recommendations even after you or they depart. Treat your profile as a real-time representation of your career, and keep it current.
With some strategic timing, relevant updates, and positive tone, your LinkedIn profile can support networking and opportunities both during and after a job transition. Use the exit as a chance to refresh your brand and demonstrate your professionalism even during career changes.