Getting a promotion is a huge accomplishment — so it’s only natural that you want to show it off! Since we’re guessing you’re a little too busy to immediately text every single person you know, you’ll probably want to make a LinkedIn announcement instead.

We’ll guide you through exactly how to add your promotion on LinkedIn, including:

• A step-by-step guide to updating your LinkedIn profile
• Other sections you should consider updating after a promotion
• What to write when announcing your promotion
• How to make the most of your new job title

First, let’s take a look at exactly how to update your LinkedIn after a promotion (feel free to skip to the next section if you’ve got this covered).

How to add a promotion to LinkedIn

1. Sign into your account.
2. Go to your profile by clicking the “Me” icon at the top of your LinkedIn homepage and choosing “View Profile.”
3. Scroll down to your Experience section and click the “Edit” icon.
4. Select the job you want to edit (we’re guessing it’s your current one!).
5. Update your job title and description, then click “Save.”
6. If you want people to notice your promotion, make sure the “Share with Network” option is toggled on.
7. Once you’re finished, run it through LinkedIn Review for personalized tips on optimizing your profile.

Done! That part’s pretty easy — but you may want to do a little more than just updating your job title and current responsibilities.

What to update on LinkedIn after a promotion

After the promotion is official, you should update your:

• Job title and description
• Start and end dates
• LinkedIn headline
• “About” section
• Relevant media and links

Add some new accomplishments

When you update your job title, you should also add some new accomplishments in the job description section. This might seem a little tricky if you’ve only just been promoted, but don’t forget that the promotion itself is an accomplishment!

You can try mentioning:

• Any major new responsibilities. For example, if you’ve been promoted to a supervisory position, mention how many people you now manage.
• Key projects. These can be ongoing or completed projects.
• Significant accomplishments from your previous role. Just because your job title has changed, that doesn’t mean your previous accomplishments aren’t still relevant.
• What you did to get promoted or the timeframe (if it was quicker than usual).

For example:

Led a team of 10 sales representatives.

Revamped XYZ social media strategy, resulting in a 50% increase in online engagement and brand visibility.

Consistently achieved 20% annual sales growth by implementing targeted marketing strategies and forging strong client relationships.

Recognized for consistently exceeding sales targets and driving revenue growth through strategic initiatives and effective client relationship management.

Keep your dates up to date

You can also choose to add your promotion as a new position instead of updating an existing entry. Either way, you should make sure that the dates listed in your profile reflect the start and end dates of your new role and the previous one.

Craft an effective headline

Your LinkedIn headline is one of the first things people see on your profile, so don’t forget to update that, too. You should highlight your new position, mention the promotion itself, and include any relevant keywords.

Here’s an example of what a headline might look like highlighting your new position:

Stepping up as Sales Manager at ABC Company. Leveraging my track record of exceeding sales targets by 20% as a Senior Sales Representative to lead and inspire my team to new heights.

Tell people about yourself

The “About” section of your profile is the next bit that needs updating. Try structuring it like this:

• Introduction: Start with a sentence or two that captures who you are as a professional.
• Body: Highlight your recent promotion and what you'll be doing in the new role. Don’t forget to mention any key skills or areas of expertise that helped you land it.
• Closing: End with a note about your professional goals or what you're looking to achieve in your new role.

Here’s an example of what this might look like:

Results-driven Sales Manager with over 10 years of experience in the sales industry. Recently promoted to Sales Manager at ABC Company, I now lead a dynamic team focused on enhancing customer relationships and boosting sales figures. My expertise lies in strategizing and executing effective sales plans, team leadership, and customer relationship management. In my new role, I am committed to leveraging my skills to drive team performance, exceed sales targets, and contribute to the growth of ABC Company.

Link to relevant media

If you work in a field with tangible results, you should link to them. You can use LinkedIn to link to your professional portfolio, showcase key projects, or upload images, videos, or presentations.

How to make a promotion announcement on LinkedIn

Want to do more than just passively update your profile? Consider making a post to announce your promotion. The key to striking the right tone is to mix confidence with gratitude and humility. Write about your excitement for the new position, the key responsibilities you’ll be taking on, and what you’re most looking forward to. You may also want to mention anyone who helped you along the way (even if that’s just the company itself).

For example, you could write:

I’m thrilled to announce that I’ve been promoted to Regional Sales Manager at Scissors, Inc. I’m grateful for this new opportunity and to my amazing team. In my role, I will be leading our expansion into the Pacific Northwest as we aim to become the leading provider of left-handed scissors in the country. I’m excited to take on this challenge and help our customers find the products that meet their needs. How have you approached sales in a niche market? I’d love to hear your experiences!

Strategies for effectively showcasing your promotion

Finally, here are some do’s and don’ts for making the most of your new promotion.

• Avoid buzzwords and clichés. Don’t fall back on generic, overused phrases like “results-driven,” “team player,” or “rising star.” Instead, talk about what you actually did.
• Focus on impact. Use real, concrete metrics instead of hyperbole, e.g. “increased revenue by 25%” instead of “high-performing salesperson.”
• Don’t exaggerate. Your real accomplishments were enough to get you a promotion, which means they don’t need embellishment.
• Engage with relevant communities. Join professional groups, comment on posts, and participate in discussions relevant to your industry or new role.
• Stay active. Publishing posts on LinkedIn related to your area of expertise (or even just linking to interesting articles you find) is a great way to leverage your recent success. Share industry insights, curate relevant content, or start discussions.