When leaving a company, sending a farewell message on LinkedIn can be a great way to formally announce your departure, show appreciation for colleagues, and maintain your professional network. However, drafting the perfect goodbye message that strikes the right tone can be tricky. This comprehensive guide examines the purpose of a LinkedIn farewell message, who to target it to, tips on length and content, common messaging mistakes to avoid, and provides various sample templates to inspire your own post.
Why Send A LinkedIn Farewell Message?
There are several key reasons for taking the time to publish a goodbye post when moving on from an employer:
- Professionally announce your transition – A LinkedIn post allows you to formally notify your connections of your upcoming career shift.
- Thank colleagues, clients, and contacts – Sending appreciation and acknowledging important relationships cultivated can leave a positive impression.
- Maintain your network – Staying top of mind with your connections keeps the door open for future collaborations and opportunities.
- Control the narrative – Getting ahead of the news and sharing it directly allows you to frame the message and highlight achievements from your time at the company.
- Promote your next move – If desired, you can tease upcoming projects or talk about what’s next in your intro or conclusion.
Who Should You Target Your Farewell Message To?
While set as a public post, your goodbye note on LinkedIn should be crafted with the following core audiences in mind:
- Colleagues – Co-workers you interacted with regularly deserve appreciation and a proper sign-off.
- Leadership – Managers you reported directly to over the years can be shouted out for support and mentorship.
- Clients & Contacts – Important external relationships should be thanked and reassured of your contact information.
- Wider Industry Network – Remaining visible and sustaining access to your broader community maintains future optionality.
LinkedIn Farewell Message Length & Word Count
When drafting your goodbye post, the ideal length tends to be:
- 1-2 paragraphs (3-5 sentences each) for short and sweet sign-offs
- 2-4 paragraphs (3-5 sentences each) for medium length notes of appreciation
- A 5-7 paragraph (3-4 sentences each) dissertation for more detailed reflections and recounting career highlights
This translates to a word count ranging between:
- 100 – 300 words for brief, concise farewells
- 300 – 600 words for moderately detailed goodbye letters
- 600 – 1000+ words for an in-depth, reflective sign-off note
LinkedIn Farewell Message Content Tips
When publishing your goodbye post, you’ll want to cover several important themes:
- Gratitude – Thank colleagues, clients, managers, and the company at-large for opportunities, support, and partnerships over the years.
- Lessons Learned – Share key things you’ll take away from your time at the organization in terms of professional development.
- Achievements – Highlight major projects completed, milestones reached, and accomplishments from your tenure.
- Future Plans – If desired, briefly tease where you’re heading next and how you can be contacted.
- Contact Details – Provide your personal email/phone number so important contacts can reach out.
However, avoid swearing, making disparaging comments about colleagues/leaders, or revealing confidential information related to your project work or circumstances for leaving.
Common LinkedIn Farewell Message Mistakes
When crafting your goodbye post, be sure to avoid these frequent missteps:
- Only saying goodbye without any details – Too vague and impersonal.
- Making it too long – Rambling posts lose reader interest and impact.
- Not mentioning any colleagues or contacts specifically – Leaves important people feeling snubbed.
- Using too much company jargon – Obscures meaning from those not familiar with internal lingo.
- Making it too self-promotional – Keep the focus on thanking others rather than boasting of achievements.
- Being overly negative – It’s not the place to vent workplace frustrations.
LinkedIn Farewell Message Template Examples
For inspiration on bidding your connections adieu, see these goodbye post template examples:
Short Farewell Message Template
After an incredible 5 years at [Company], today is my last day. Huge thank you to [Colleague 1], [Colleague 2], and [Manager] for being amazing teammates and leaders. So grateful for the opportunities and experience that have enabled me to grow so much professionally and personally. Please connect with me at [email] about any outstanding items and keep in touch!
Medium Farewell Message Template
It’s with mixed emotions that I announce my departure from [Company] after [X] amazing years. Joining as a [Role], I’ve been privileged to work with top-notch people and partners from around the world. I’m so proud of the work my team has delivered, including [Project 1], [Project 2], and [Project 3]. My deepest thanks to colleagues [Name 1], [Name 2], [Name 3]- you made every day enjoyable and I can’t thank you enough for your friendship and peer mentorship over the years. I owe immense gratitude to leadership, especially [Manager Name], for entrusting me with impactful work assignments that accelerated my growth. Please connect with me at [email] as I embark on my next chapter. Excited about the future, but I will sincerely miss the people who made this place so special. Wishing you all continued success!
Detailed Farewell Message Template
After much reflection, I’ve made the difficult decision to resign from my position as [Role] at [Company]. As I enter this new phase, I’m filled with appreciation for the incredible people I’ve had the pleasure to work with.
[Paragraph on thanking colleagues for their partnership, teamwork, support – name 2-3 standout coworkers]. Getting to collaborate with amazing professionals like you was certainly a highlight of my time here.
I’m also sincerely grateful to the leadership team for their guidance and advocacy over the years. A special thanks to [Manager Name] for taking a chance on me as a rookie [Role] and providing me with opportunities to showcase my abilities. Under your wing, I’ve been able to accomplish more than I could have imagined when I first joined.
My list of fond memories here is far too long to recount, but a few of my proudest contributions include: [Led project X that delivered Y benefit], [Played key role in launching initiative Z], and [Handled high-pressure situation W]. Witnessing the company grow and evolve during my [X] years here has been inspiring.
As I hand off my responsibilities and close this chapter, please feel free to connect with me at [email] if any knowledge transfer or transition support is needed. While change can be difficult, I have full confidence the team will continue doing outstanding work.
Excited to take this step and pursue new learning opportunities. Don’t hesitate to reach out if your path crosses with mine down the road. Wishing you all the best!
Hopefully these examples provide a framework for crafting your own heartfelt yet professional LinkedIn farewell message. The key is keeping it authentic to your voice while covering the basics of showing appreciation, highlighting achievements, and sustaining relationships.