Receiving congratulatory messages on LinkedIn can be exciting and gratifying. Whether someone is congratulating you on a work anniversary, new job, promotion, or other achievement, it feels good to be recognized. At the same time, with congratulations can come uncertainty around how to graciously accept the gesture and respond appropriately. What exactly is the professional etiquette for responding to congratulations on LinkedIn?
Should You Accept or Decline the Congratulations?
The first question many of us have when receiving congratulations is whether we should accept it or try to deflect it. Accepting congratulations confidently does not make you arrogant. The person took the time to recognize your achievement, so acknowledge it with gratitude. There is no need to decline the congratulations or downplay your accomplishment. A simple “Thank you!” communicates humility while still accepting the recognition.
Express Appreciation
The most important part of responding to any congratulations is expressing sincere appreciation. A few examples of showing gratitude in your reply include:
- “Thank you so much!”
- “I really appreciate you taking the time to congratulate me.”
- “Thanks for the congratulatory note – it means a lot coming from you!”
Personalizing the message with specifics about how the sender’s congratulations makes you feel is even better. However, a simple “Thank you!” also conveys appreciation.
Provide Context if Appropriate
If the congratulations comes from someone familiar with the accomplishment already, there is no need to provide background. But for connections who may not know the details, giving some context can nurture the relationship. For example, if a former co-worker congratulates you on becoming Senior Manager at your company, but they do not work there anymore, consider providing details.
You can share a high-level overview of the new role, what you have been working on to prepare for advancement, how long you have been with the company, etc. Giving context reinforces that you value their congratulations and the relationship.
Share Your Excitement and Pride
Part of graciously accepting congratulations is expressing excitement about the accomplishment. Share your enthusiasm with the person who congratulated you. Let them know how thrilled, motivated, or proud you feel. Examples include:
- “I’m really excited to take on this new role and responsibility.”
- “I’m so proud of my team for the work we did to make this happen.”
- “It’s been a goal of mine for a while, so I couldn’t be more thrilled it finally happened!”
Sharing your emotions makes the interaction more personal and meaningful.
Offer to Help or Collaborate
Looking for opportunities to pay the congratulations forward or strengthen the relationship is recommended. For example, you can offer to connect them with folks in your network who may help their career. Or if appropriate based on their industry and background, suggest meeting up to explore potential collaborations in your new position. Even just ending with “Please let me know if I can ever be of assistance!” opens the door for future mutually beneficial interactions.
Keep it Concise
While you want to express genuine appreciation, provide context, and share excitement, keep your response reasonably concise. Paragraph-long messages are not necessary. A few sentences will convey gratitude and interest in the relationship without overdoing it.
Respond in a Timely Manner
Make responding to congratulations messages on LinkedIn a priority. Follow the standard business etiquette guidelines of acknowledging messages within 24 hours on weekdays. Since someone took the effort to recognize your achievement, thank them in a timely manner.
Avoid Self-Deprecation
Sometimes our first instinct when receiving praise is to downplay it or highlight flaws. But mouthing off criticisms of yourself can make the interaction awkward. Accept the congratulations with poise by focusing your reply on appreciation.
Do Not Make It About the Other Person
When unsure how to respond to congratulations, a common tendency is flipping the focus back on the sender. For example, replying with, “Thanks! And congrats on your promotion last month!” While meant well, making the exchange about the other person takes away from sincerely accepting their congratulations. Keep the focus on expressing gratitude and excitement for your achievement.
Personalize for Important Contacts
Customizing congratulatory replies for key connections is recommended. If a business partner, mentor, senior leader in your field, recruiter you have worked with, or similar VIP contact congratulates you, show extra effort. Include unique details about how much you value their recognition, why their opinion means so much, looking forward to collaborating, or other personalization.
Avoid Over-Sharing
The congratulations message is likely not the appropriate place for an excessive information dump. While sharing some context can nurture the relationship, avoid overdoing it. For example, you probably do not need to include all the nitty-gritty details of your new compensation package. Keep it high-level.
Also, this is not the right interaction for venting frustrations about the process or challenges that lay ahead. Keep it positive.
Express Interest in Connecting In-Person
If the congratulator is a key connection you have been wanting to strengthen ties with or meet in-person, this is a good opportunity. In your response, suggest getting together for coffee, lunch, or another networking meeting. For example: “Thanks again for the kind words! I’d love to get together in the coming weeks to catch up in person now that I am settled in the new role.”
Leave the Door Open for Future Advice
Look for subtle opportunities in your reply to open the door for future advice and input from the congratulator. For instance, “I appreciate the encouragement as I embark on this new chapter. Please do not hesitate to reach out if you have any advice for me in this new role!” This plants the seed that you value their ongoing counsel.
Proofread Carefully
With it being a more formal interaction, proofread your response carefully before sending. Look for any typos, grammar issues, or incomplete thoughts. You want the reply to reflect the same care and effort the sender put into congratulating you.
Send Privately When Appropriate
If the congratulations came on your public feed for all to see, it is fine to reply there as well with a simple thank you. But if you want to provide more context and personalization, consider sending a private message instead.
Follow Up
Consider looking for opportunities to follow up with the congratulator in the future. Send them an article they may find interesting. Comment thoughtful on their content. Or after a month or so, reach back out to provide an update on how the new job, promotion, or achievement is going.
This shows you valued their initial note and continue keeping them in mind as your journey in the new role unfolds.
Avoid Over-Congratulating Others in Return
When someone congratulates you, it can feel like you suddenly need to congratulate them back even if there is nothing to congratulate. Resist this urge! Only congratulate in return if it is timely and makes sense contextually. Otherwise, making something up comes across insincere.
Say More Than Just Thanks
“Thanks!” is better than no reply. But take the extra minute to add a bit more warmth and personalization. This strengthens the relationship and nurtures goodwill.
Do Not Make It About Your Ego
Keep the focus of your reply on gratitude versus trumpeting your own ego. For example, avoid responses like “I know, I’m pretty amazing!” or “It’s about time I got recognized!” That makes it about your pride versus sincerely thanking them.
Close with a Final Thanks
End your response by circling back to a final statement of appreciation. Bookend the reply with gratitude. For example close with “Seriously, your support means so much to me. Thanks again for the congratulations!”
Receiving congratulations on LinkedIn is exciting, but also creates uncertainty about how to respond appropriately. By focusing your reply on sincerely expressing appreciation, providing context, sharing your enthusiasm, and looking for opportunities to strengthen the relationship, you can graciously accept the congratulations.