Leaving a company can be bittersweet. On one hand, you may be excited for the new opportunity ahead. But chances are, you’ve also built strong connections with coworkers over the years. Posting a heartfelt farewell message on LinkedIn is a great way to honor those relationships, while also professionally announcing your transition. Here’s how to craft the perfect goodbye post.
Thank your connections
First and foremost, a LinkedIn farewell post is an opportunity to express gratitude. Be sure to call out colleagues, managers, or mentors who have made a meaningful impact. Share a few specific anecdotes or inside jokes if appropriate. This adds a personal touch compared to a generic “thanks for everything” message.
For example: “I’m incredibly grateful to have learned from such a supportive and talented team over the last five years. From late night strategy sessions to our weekly Ferris Bueller viewings, you’ve made this an unforgettable ride.”
Highlight achievements
Your connections want to share in the celebration of your accomplishments. What projects or initiatives did you lead? How did you grow in your role? Briefly summarize one to three career highlights at your current company.
For instance: “I’m proud to have led the migration to our new CRM platform – an initiative that led to a 15% increase in sales last quarter. I’m confident this system has equipped the marketing team for continued success.”
Announce where you’re headed
Your network will be curious about what’s next, so don’t keep them guessing. Share a high-level overview of your new opportunity. If you’re starting a new job, include the company name and position title. Or if you plan to travel, study, or focus on a personal project, briefly explain so.
Example: “I’m thrilled to be starting a new adventure as a Senior Product Manager at XYZ Company next month. I’m looking forward to blending my technical expertise and background in customer research to help enhance their mobile app experience.”
Explore the possibilities
Change inevitably brings new possibilities. Express excitement about developing new skills, industry exposure, or leadership opportunities in your next chapter. Share one or two specific areas you’re looking forward to growing or learning more about.
For example: “In my new role, I’ll have the chance to lead large-scale delivery projects across global markets. I can’t wait to expand my international coordination and virtual team building skills.”
Offer to connect
Let your network know you’re open to connecting in your new chapter. Offer to meet for coffee, share ideas on industry trends, or collaborate if your paths cross again. Avoid sounding like you’re making a sales pitch though.
For instance: “I’d love to stay in touch, so please reach out if you’d ever like to meet up or bounce around ideas. I’m always happy to connect former colleagues with new team members too, so don’t hesitate to reach out.”
Share next steps for others
To ensure a smooth transition, reduce uncertainty by sharing next steps. Will a colleague be taking over your projects? Is there a new point of contact for certain programs? Briefly explain changes so people understand the plan moving forward.
For example: “Jordan Smith will be taking over as lead for the customer research program. I’ve already shared project plans to ensure a seamless transition. Please connect with Jordan for any upcoming research requests.”
Keep the tone positive
Even if there were challenges, keep the tone upbeat. This is not the time or place to vent frustrations. Your goal is to preserve professional relationships, not burn bridges. Focus on positive memories and gratitude.
For instance, avoid language like: “After being forced to work crazy hours under unreasonable demands…” Instead, say something like: “While the work pace was often intense, I’m grateful for the many lessons this role taught me.”
Check with your employer
Some companies prefer to control the announcement themselves, so check for any policies requiring approval before your post. Even if not mandatory, it’s courteous to give your manager or HR a heads up so they aren’t caught off guard.
Example policy: “Employees must obtain authorization from the Communications department before publicly announcing their departure from the company.”
Time it thoughtfully
When possible, avoid sharing the news before your company has had a chance to make any formal internal announcements. Posting hastily could inadvertently create confusion if details are still being worked out.
On the other hand, you want to share the news while it’s still fresh, so colleagues don’t feel blindsided if they hear from outside connections first. Aim to post within the first 1-2 weeks of submitting notice if you can.
Craft your headline strategically
Your headline makes the first impression. Sum up the news in a clear, friendly way. Include your name, company, and new opportunity or next step.
Examples:
- “On to new adventures at XYZ Company”
- “Off to explore new horizons”
- “Wrapping up 5 great years at ABC Corp”
Format your post
Break up text with spacing between paragraphs for easier reading. Use bullet points to highlight key parts of your message like thank-yous, achievements, and next steps.
Visually, you want your post to look clean and skimmable, not like a dense block of text. Use an upbeat photo from team events or company offsites to complement the tone.
Engage with comments
Check back on your post once published. Reply back to congratulatory messages or any substantive comments. This extra engagement helps nurture your connections during a transitional period.
Respond to comments like: “Congrats, sounds like an exciting opportunity!” or “Hope our paths cross again soon!” Bonus tip: proactively liking and commenting on others’ posts during this time is also a nice way to maintain visibility.
Update your profile
In addition to a farewell post, update key parts of your profile like position, company, and description. This ensures your network has accurate details once you move on. You can wait until after your last day to make these profile changes if needed.
Importantly, don’t delete past positions. Continue showcasing your full experience. You just want to indicate the end date so it’s clear you no longer work there.
Review privacy settings
Finally, double check your profile’s privacy settings. Adjust visibility as needed depending on who you want to be able to view the post. Often, sharing with your 1st-degree connections is appropriate.
But if the announcement is sensitive, you can limit visibility only to connections outside your company to avoid prematurely alerting current coworkers.
Say goodbye gracefully
Parting ways professionally positions you to maintain positive ties moving forward. A heartfelt, gracious farewell message shows colleagues your appreciation while spreading exciting news. With care and personalization, your goodbye post can be one of your most memorable LinkedIn moments.