When to Update LinkedIn With a New Job

Last updated: January 2026

In this article: When You’re Job Seeking (While Employed) | How to Turn Off Notifications | When You Land a New Job | How to Announce Your New Job | Other Profile Updates | FAQs

LinkedIn is one of the best resources for job seekers and professionals building their careers. But since many profile updates are shared with your network, timing matters. Update too soon while job searching, and your current boss might notice. Update too late after a new job, and you miss the opportunity to leverage your network.

Here’s when to update your LinkedIn profile during the job search—and after you land that new role.

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When You’re Job Seeking While Employed

It’s tempting to overhaul your LinkedIn profile when you’re employed and quietly looking for work. A refreshed headline and stronger experience section can attract more recruiters. But these changes can also be red flags to your current employer.

“I would say you need to take the necessary precautions when updating your LinkedIn profile, especially when you haven’t communicated that you are leaving,” says Randy Ksar, VP of Digital at Voce Communications. “Updating your LinkedIn profile should probably be the last step when you are currently employed and looking for a job.”

If you need to make updates to attract recruiters, take these precautions first:

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How to Turn Off LinkedIn Update Notifications

Before making any profile changes while employed, disable the features that broadcast your updates to your network.

Step 1: Turn Off “Share Profile Updates”

1. Click your profile photo in the top right corner
2. Select Settings & Privacy
3. Click Visibility in the left menu
4. Under “Visibility of your LinkedIn activity,” find Share profile updates with your network
5. Toggle this setting to Off

Step 2: Turn On “Open to Work” (Privately)

LinkedIn allows you to signal to recruiters that you’re open to new opportunities without notifying your current employer:

1. Go to your profile and click Open to below your profile photo
2. Select Finding a new job
3. Fill in your job preferences
4. Under “Choose who sees you’re open,” select Recruiters only

This setting is hidden from recruiters at your current company (though LinkedIn notes it cannot guarantee complete privacy).

What Updates Are Safe to Make?

Some updates are less likely to raise suspicion:

• Adding skills — Looks like professional development
• Updating your photo — Could just be a refresh
• Adding certifications — Shows you’re learning
• Tweaking your summary — Subtle changes often go unnoticed

Avoid dramatic changes like rewriting your entire headline or adding “Open to opportunities” publicly.

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When to Update LinkedIn After Landing a New Job

You’ve accepted an offer, and you’re excited to share the news. But when exactly should you update your LinkedIn profile?

Check With Your New Employer First

“My recommendation is to chat with your manager before you update your LinkedIn profile, especially if your role is public-facing,” says Ksar.

Some companies prefer to announce new hires through official channels first. Others may ask you to wait until you’ve completed onboarding or passed a probationary period.

Wait at Least One Week

Ksar suggests waiting “a week or so, as long as you’ve got your personal brand story and your role in the company defined.”

Consider what happens when you update:

• Your network will congratulate you
• Connections will ask questions about your new role
• Recruiters and potential partners will start reaching out

Make sure you’re ready to respond thoughtfully to all of that engagement.

Consider the “What If” Factor

Sometimes a new job that looks great on paper turns out to be the wrong fit. If you update LinkedIn immediately and then leave within a few weeks, you’ll have an awkward gap—or another quick update—to explain.

While there’s no magic number, many professionals wait 2-4 weeks to ensure the role is truly a good fit before making it “LinkedIn official.”

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How to Announce Your New Job on LinkedIn

Once you’re ready to update, you have two options:

Option 1: Simply Update Your Profile

Add your new position to your experience section. If your notification settings are on, LinkedIn will automatically share the update with your network, generating congratulations and engagement.

Option 2: Write an Announcement Post

For more visibility and engagement, write a dedicated post about your new role. This approach lets you:

• Thank people who helped you during your search
• Share what excites you about the new opportunity
• Describe what you’ll be working on
• Tag your new company and colleagues

Example post structure:

Keep it genuine—overly polished announcements can feel inauthentic.

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When to Make Other LinkedIn Profile Updates

After a Promotion

Update promptly, but consider whether to add it as a new position or update your current one. Major promotions (new title, new responsibilities) typically warrant a new entry. Minor title changes can be edited within your current role.

When You Complete a Certification

Add certifications as soon as you earn them. This is a positive update that shows professional development and rarely raises concerns.

When You Finish a Major Project

Add significant accomplishments to your current role’s description. Quantify results when possible (e.g., “Led rebrand that increased engagement by 40%”).

Annually (At Minimum)

Even if nothing major has changed, review your profile at least once a year. Update your skills, refresh your summary, and ensure your experience descriptions reflect your current responsibilities.

Looking for your next opportunity? Browse jobs on Mediabistro.

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FAQs About Updating LinkedIn

When should I update LinkedIn with my new job?

Most professionals wait 1-4 weeks after starting a new job. Check with your new employer first, especially for public-facing roles. Make sure you’ve settled in and confirmed the role is a good fit before making it official on LinkedIn.

Will my boss know if I update my LinkedIn profile?

If your “Share profile updates” setting is on, your network (potentially including your boss) will see a notification about changes. Turn this setting off before making updates if you’re job searching confidentially.

Should I update LinkedIn on my first day at a new job?

It’s generally better to wait. Give yourself time to learn about your role, confirm the job is a good fit, and check whether your employer has any preferences about when new hires announce their positions.

How do I update LinkedIn without notifying everyone?

Go to Settings & Privacy > Visibility > Share profile updates with your network, and toggle this to Off. Now you can make changes without triggering notifications to your connections.

Is it okay to announce a new job on LinkedIn before starting?

It’s safer to wait until you’ve officially started. Offers can occasionally be rescinded, start dates can change, and you’ll want to describe your actual role rather than what you expect it to be.

How do I announce a new job on LinkedIn?

You can either update your experience section (which triggers automatic notifications) or write a dedicated post. A post lets you thank supporters, describe your new role, and increase engagement.

Should I remove my previous job when I update my LinkedIn profile?

No—keep your previous positions. LinkedIn is a professional history, and your past experience adds credibility. Simply add your new role and update the end date on your previous position.

What if my new job doesn’t work out after I update my LinkedIn profile?

This happens. You can either update your profile again with a new position or revert to your previous role if you return there. Brief stints at companies are increasingly common and don’t carry the stigma they once did.