When you land a new job, it’s natural to want to share the good news on LinkedIn right away. However, there are a few things to consider before announcing your new role prematurely. The key is finding a balance between celebrating your achievement and maintaining professionalism during your transition period.
Why you may want to announce your new job before starting
There are several understandable reasons why you may be eager to announce your new job on LinkedIn as soon as possible:
- You’re excited and want to share the good news with your network
- You want to update your profile and establish your new title/company
- You want recruiters to know you’re no longer on the job market
- You want to build anticipation and signal momentum for your new employer
- You want to be transparent about your move with colleagues and contacts
While the instinct to immediately announce a new job is natural, there are also a few potential downsides to consider:
Potential downsides of announcing too soon
- May be seen as unprofessional by your current employer
- Could upset your manager and jeopardize current relationships
- Violates norms around giving proper notice to your current employer
- Risks sharing information before formal offer letter is signed
- New employer may prefer confidentiality around the hiring process
To avoid problems, it’s usually wise to wait until certain milestones are met before publicly announcing your new role. The last thing you want is to ruffle feathers or get ahead of formal procedures.
Best practices for announcing a new job
When navigating the transition period between jobs, following these best practices can help:
1. Wait until you’ve formally accepted the offer
Never announce a new job until you have signed the formal offer letter. Verbal offers or promises can fall through. Wait for the paperwork to be official before declaring the news publicly.
2. Speak with your new manager first
Before sharing the news widely, have a discussion with your new manager about expectations around announcing your role. There may be a specific date or process they want you to follow.
3. Give notice at your current job first
As a courtesy, notify your current boss and team that you are departing before blasting the news across your social networks. No one wants to be blindsided by a LinkedIn update.
4. Get approval from your current employer
Some companies have policies around when you can declare your departure and new job. Check if any restrictions apply to announcing while still employed.
5. Update your profile discreetly
Rather than having a showy announcement post, subtly update your profile with your new title and company after getting necessary approvals. This lets people organically find out through your profile.
6. Use the #NextChapter hashtag
When you do decide to share the news more loudly, using #NextChapter lets people know you’re moving on without overly inflating your ego.
What to say when announcing your new job
Once you’ve gotten necessary clearances, aim for an announcement post that balances professionalism with enthusiasm. Here are some tips:
- Thank your current employer for the opportunities
- Share your excitement about the new company and role
- Highlight how the move aligns with your skills and passions
- Use #NextChapter hashtag to signal it’s a transition
- Note you are open to new connections from your network
Keep the tone polite and formal rather than boastful. Your goal is to share the news, not brag.
When is the best time to announce?
Ideally, announce your new job approximately 2-3 weeks before your start date. This gives time for congratulations and transitions to sink in. Avoid announcing months in advance or after you’ve already started.
How to handle contacts after announcing
Once your new role is public, expect lots of outreach and be ready to thoughtfully manage contacts:
- Personally respond to congratulatory messages
- Connect with key individuals at your new company
- Politely decline recruiters noting you’re not looking
- Set up coffee dates to expand your network in the new industry
The more gracefully you handle the transition period on LinkedIn, the better positioned you’ll be to succeed in your new job.
Key Takeaways
- Wait until the offer is formally accepted before announcing
- Discuss expectations with your new employer first
- Notify your current company before sharing widely
- Update your profile discreetly before a big announcement
- Share the news 2-3 weeks prior to your start date
- Use the transition hashtag #NextChapter in your post
- Personally respond to congratulatory messages
Announcing your new job with professionalism, tact, and patience paves the way for success in your next chapter.