Posting job updates on LinkedIn can be a great way to boost your personal brand and grow your network. However, it’s important to be strategic about what you share to maximize the benefits. Here are some key things to consider when posting job updates on LinkedIn:
What to Post
Focus on sharing meaningful milestones and achievements, not mundane day-to-day activities. Some things you may want to post about include:
- Starting a new job
- Work anniversaries
- Completing a big project
- Earning a promotion
- Winning an award
- Taking on new responsibilities
- Building a new skill
Use updates to showcase your expertise and capabilities. Share insights, data, or examples of your work when relevant.
How Often to Post
While there are no hard rules, 1-2 times per week is usually a good baseline. Avoid sharing every single minor update or it may seem excessive. Focus on your biggest accomplishments and milestones to have the most impact.
Post at Optimal Times
LinkedIn’s algorithm favors content posted during the workweek, Tuesday – Thursday. Late morning or early afternoon tend to perform well. You can also experiment to see when your network is most engaged.
Use Visuals
Posts with images, infographics, or other visuals tend to get more engagement. Use visuals whenever possible to make your updates stand out.
Engage With Your Network
Beyond posting your own updates, be sure to also like, comment on, and share others’ content too. This raises your visibility and helps build relationships.
The Pros of Posting Job Updates
Here are some of the benefits of sharing job updates on LinkedIn:
Raise Your Profile
Posting about milestones and achievements lets your network know about your skills, accomplishments, and career progression. This establishes you as a thought leader.
Expand Your Network
Relevant job updates shared with the right hashtags and keywords can help you connect with new people in your industry.
Strengthen Connections
Staying top of mind with your network builds and maintains relationships that may lead to new opportunities.
Showcase Your Employer
Positive job updates highlight the great work happening at your company and help attract new talent.
Build Your Personal Brand
Consistently sharing thoughtful, insightful updates develops your reputation as an expert in your field.
Pros | Details |
---|---|
Raise Your Profile | Posting about milestones and achievements lets your network know about your skills, accomplishments, and career progression. This establishes you as a thought leader. |
Expand Your Network | Relevant job updates shared with the right hashtags and keywords can help you connect with new people in your industry. |
Strengthen Connections | Staying top of mind with your network builds and maintains relationships that may lead to new opportunities. |
Showcase Your Employer | Positive job updates highlight the great work happening at your company and help attract new talent. |
Build Your Personal Brand | Consistently sharing thoughtful, insightful updates develops your reputation as an expert in your field. |
The Cons of Posting Job Updates
While there are many advantages, there are also some potential downsides to consider:
It Can Be Time Consuming
Creating and engaging with quality updates requires dedication. Make sure you have the bandwidth.
Oversharing Could Damage Your Brand
Too many mundane or unprofessional updates may undermine your credibility. Always maintain quality over quantity.
It May Annoy Your Connections
If people feel your updates are inappropriate or too frequent, they may disengage. Keep your audience in mind.
Privacy Concerns May Arise
Some employers may not want certain details broadcast externally. Respect internal policies.
Competitors Can Gain Intelligence
Giving away too much insider information inadvertently could help your competition. Be prudent about what you post.
Cons | Details |
---|---|
It Can Be Time Consuming | Creating and engaging with quality updates requires dedication. Make sure you have the bandwidth. |
Oversharing Could Damage Your Brand | Too many mundane or unprofessional updates may undermine your credibility. Always maintain quality over quantity. |
It May Annoy Your Connections | If people feel your updates are inappropriate or too frequent, they may disengage. Keep your audience in mind. |
Privacy Concerns May Arise | Some employers may not want certain details broadcast externally. Respect internal policies. |
Competitors Can Gain Intelligence | Giving away too much insider information inadvertently could help your competition. Be prudent about what you post. |
Best Practices
To maximize the value of posting job updates on LinkedIn, here are some best practices:
Be Authentic and Transparent
Share real insights and experiences. Avoid exaggerations or misrepresentations.
Make It About Your Audience
Focus on posting content your connections will find interesting and useful.
Post Consistently
Regular updates keep you top of mind while intermittent posts are easily forgotten.
Mix Up Content Types
Combine text updates with links, photos, slides, and videos for variety.
Monitor Engagement
Pay attention to likes, comments, shares, and other interactions to see what resonates.
Interact With Your Network
Beyond posting, actively engage by commenting on and sharing others’ updates too.
Use Quality Images
High-resolution, eye-catching images tend to perform best. Make them relevant.
Leverage Hashtags
Include relevant hashtags to extend your reach to interested audiences outside your network.
Best Practice | Details |
---|---|
Be Authentic and Transparent | Share real insights and experiences. Avoid exaggerations or misrepresentations. |
Make It About Your Audience | Focus on posting content your connections will find interesting and useful. |
Post Consistently | Regular updates keep you top of mind while intermittent posts are easily forgotten. |
Mix Up Content Types | Combine text updates with links, photos, slides, and videos for variety. |
Monitor Engagement | Pay attention to likes, comments, shares, and other interactions to see what resonates. |
Interact With Your Network | Beyond posting, actively engage by commenting on and sharing others’ updates too. |
Use Quality Images | High-resolution, eye-catching images tend to perform best. Make them relevant. |
Leverage Hashtags | Include relevant hashtags to extend your reach to interested audiences outside your network. |
What to Avoid
There are also some approaches you’ll want to steer clear of when posting job updates:
Over-Promoting Yourself
Avoid sounding arrogant. Focus on achievements, not bragging.
Negative or Controversial Topics
Don’t vent about work frustrations online. Keep it positive.
Poor Spelling or Grammar
Proofread before posting! Typos or mistakes undermine your professionalism.
Disclosing Confidential Information
Make sure you have permission to share any non-public company information.
Spamming Connections
Irrelevant or overly promotional updates come across as spammy.
Politics, Religion, Etc.
Polarizing topics tend to spark unproductive discussions on LinkedIn.
Linkbait Headlines
Avoid exaggerated headlines meant to attract clicks but don’t deliver value.
What to Avoid | Details |
---|---|
Over-Promoting Yourself | Avoid sounding arrogant. Focus on achievements, not bragging. |
Negative or Controversial Topics | Don’t vent about work frustrations online. Keep it positive. |
Poor Spelling or Grammar | Proofread before posting! Typos or mistakes undermine your professionalism. |
Disclosing Confidential Information | Make sure you have permission to share any non-public company information. |
Spamming Connections | Irrelevant or overly promotional updates come across as spammy. |
Politics, Religion, Etc. | Polarizing topics tend to spark unproductive discussions on LinkedIn. |
Linkbait Headlines | Avoid exaggerated headlines meant to attract clicks but don’t deliver value. |
Tips By Job Level
The approach to posting job updates may vary depending on your role and career stage:
For Individual Contributors
Focus on milestones, completed projects, and new skills. This showcases your capabilities to managers.
For Managers
Highlight team achievements, employee growth, and development initiatives. This builds leadership brand.
For Executives
Share thought leadership content and industry insights. This positions you as an expert.
When Between Jobs
Discuss your job search progress, networking events, and volunteer work. This shows you’re staying active.
When New to a Company
Announce your new role and share what you’ll be focused on. This lets your network know your latest move.
Job Level | Tips |
---|---|
Individual Contributors | Focus on milestones, completed projects, and new skills. This showcases your capabilities to managers. |
Managers | Highlight team achievements, employee growth, and development initiatives. This builds leadership brand. |
Executives | Share thought leadership content and industry insights. This positions you as an expert. |
When Between Jobs | Discuss your job search progress, networking events, and volunteer work. This shows you’re staying active. |
When New to a Company | Announce your new role and share what you’ll be focused on. This lets your network know your latest move. |
Should You Post Job Updates on LinkedIn? Conclusion
Here are some final recommendations on posting job updates on LinkedIn:
- Do share major milestones and achievements to build your brand and network
- Don’t overdo it or post overly promotional or irrelevant updates
- Use visual assets like images, charts, videos, and presentations when possible
- Monitor engagement and refine your approach over time
- Adhere to company policies and don’t share confidential information
- Remain professional and positive – avoid venting or polarizing topics
- Focus on giving more value than you get by engaging with others’ content too
Used strategically, posting thoughtful job updates on LinkedIn can significantly boost your personal brand and open new doors. But it requires avoiding common pitfalls like oversharing or being overly promotional. With relevance, quality, and restraint, job updates can take your LinkedIn presence to the next level.