How to Add a Promotion on LinkedIn (and Actually Leverage It for Your Career)

You just got promoted. First of all, congratulations!

A promotion is more than just a new title. It’s recognition of your hard work, a new chapter in your professional journey, and (let’s be honest) a really great reason to celebrate.

But after the cake, the congratulatory texts from friends, and maybe a glass of champagne, there’s a step many people forget: updating and sharing your promotion on LinkedIn.

Why does it matter? Because LinkedIn is more than an online résumé, it’s the world’s #1 professional stage. When you share career milestones here, you’re not just updating your profile. You’re inviting new opportunities, strengthening your personal brand, and giving your network a reason to connect with you again.

This article will walk you through how to show a promotion on LinkedIn:

• The step-by-step process of adding your promotion on LinkedIn (as of 2025)
• Smart ways to announce it to your network without sounding robotic
• How to optimize your profile for visibility, authority, and new opportunities
• Best practices and mistakes to avoid
• Real-world examples you can adapt for your own post

I’ll also sprinkle in some of my own experiences and those of people I’ve worked with. Because let’s be real: sometimes the "how-to" guides feel mechanical. What you need is the why behind every step and some lived perspective.

My first LinkedIn promotion post (and why I got it wrong)

I’ll never forget the first time I got promoted.

It was early in my career. I was thrilled, opened LinkedIn, clicked around, and quickly added my new title. I didn’t think much about it. No announcement, no custom message. Just a silent update.

The result? Crickets.

A week later, a colleague asked, “Why didn’t you share your promotion? People would have loved to celebrate with you.”

That’s when it hit me: a promotion isn’t just a line item on a résumé. It’s a story. And when you tell it right, it can boost your credibility, attract opportunities, and even strengthen relationships.

Since then, I’ve helped dozens of colleagues (and myself) craft LinkedIn promotion updates that get hundreds of reactions, supportive comments, and even direct business leads.

So let’s make sure you don’t make the same mistake I did. Here’s exactly how to put a promotion on LinkedIn, the right way.

Step 1: Navigate to your profile

From the LinkedIn homepage, click on your profile picture in the top-right corner.

Select “View Profile.”

This seems obvious, but I always recommend pausing here. Take a quick glance at your profile before you jump into edits. Ask yourself:

• Does your current photo still represent you?
• Does your headline reflect where you’re headed or just where you’ve been?
• Do you want your promotion update to fit into a broader refresh (new banner, updated summary, skills, etc.)?

Think of this as tidying up your living room before guests arrive. Your promotion is the star, but the rest of your profile should look equally presentable.

Step 2: Go to the “experience” section

The next step of how to add a promotion on LinkedIn is to scroll to the Experience section on your profile. Here, LinkedIn shows your career journey in chronological order.

You’ll see two icons on the top-right of this section:

• A plus (+) to add a new role
• A pencil ✏️ to edit an existing one

To add your promotion, always use the plus (+).

Pro tip: Even if it’s a promotion within the same company, add it as a new position. This way, LinkedIn recognizes it as career progression and creates that neat vertical line showing your growth.

Step 3: Fill in the new role details

This is where most people rush, but it’s where you can stand out.

Here’s what you’ll need to fill out:

• Job title: Enter your exact new title. Be precise, but also check how your company formats job titles on LinkedIn to ensure consistency.
• Employment type: Full-time, part-time, contract, etc.
• Location + location type: On-site, hybrid, or remote.
• Start date: When your new role officially begins.
• Company name: If it’s the same company, make sure it matches your previous listing. If it’s new, type carefully. There are many companies with similar names on LinkedIn.

Then, check the “I am currently working in this role” box.

Story example: One client of mine accidentally listed her promotion under the wrong “XYZ Consulting Ltd.” profile on LinkedIn. For weeks, she looked like she worked at a competitor! Triple-check this detail.

Step 4: Double-check dates

This part matters more than you think.

LinkedIn will only group your promotion properly if:

• Your old role has an end date
• Your new role starts right after

LinkedIn now makes this easier with a checkbox: “End current position as of now.” Tick it, and LinkedIn will update your previous role automatically.

Think of it like passing a baton in a relay race. No overlap, no gaps.

Step 5: Write your new job description

This is where most people either overdo it or underdo it.

Don’t: Write a job description like a corporate HR page (“Responsible for daily operations of X department…”)

Do: Focus on what you bring to the role and what excites you about it.

For example:

• “Leading a cross-functional team of 12 to drive customer success in SaaS adoption.”
• “Focused on expanding our partnerships in the fintech space.”

And keep it short. You’ll have plenty of chances to showcase achievements later.

Step 6: Add skills & Media (optional, but smart)

LinkedIn allows you to add relevant skills and media right here.

I recommend:

• Add 3–5 key skills relevant to your promotion.
• Upload a case study, presentation, or video if it showcases why you were promoted.

This step isn’t mandatory on Day 1. You can add media later as you gather wins in the new role. But seeding it now plants credibility.

Step 7: Save & Celebrate

Triple-check everything:

• Correct company name?
• Dates aligned?
• Current role box ticked?

Then click Save.

Congratulations, it’s official.

But wait. You’re not done. The profile update is only half the job. Now comes the part that actually amplifies your promotion: sharing it with your network.

How to update promotion on LinkedIn (and announce it!)

By default, LinkedIn asks if you want to notify your network. Keep this toggle ON.

Why? Because sharing milestones strengthens relationships, sparks conversations, and makes you more visible.

But don’t just rely on LinkedIn’s auto-generated post. Write your own.

Here’s how = formula for a great promotion post:

1. Gratitude – thank the team, mentors, or company.
2. Reflection – share a bit about the journey or challenge.
3. Future – express excitement for what’s next.
4. Optional call-to-action – invite connections to collaborate, share insights, or connect.

And here are a few real-world examples:

• Short & Celebratory: “Thrilled to step into my new role as Senior Product Manager at Acme Corp! Excited for the next chapter and grateful to my incredible team for their support.”
• Reflective & Personal: “After 3 years of building customer-first marketing campaigns, I’m honored to step into a new role as Marketing Director at BlueSky. The journey wasn’t always easy, but I’ve learned that consistency beats perfection. Thank you to everyone who’s been part of this ride!”
• Future-focused: “Excited to announce my promotion to Head of Partnerships at GrowthHub. Over the past 5 years, I’ve had the privilege of working with amazing clients and partners. Now, I’m looking forward to scaling new collaborations globally. If you’re in fintech partnerships, let’s connect!”

Pro tip: Tag your company and key mentors. They’ll often engage with your post, boosting visibility even more.

How to optimize your profile post-promotion

Once your promotion is live, take 15–20 minutes to refresh your entire profile.

Here’s a mini checklist:

1. Update your headline = Don’t just put your title. Use a headline that reflects both your role and your value. Example: “Head of Growth | Driving SaaS revenue through data-driven marketing.”
2. Revise your summary (about section) = Add a line about your promotion and what excites you about this next stage.
3. Update skills = Make sure your top 3 pinned skills align with your new role.
4. Consider a new profile picture or banner = A fresh chapter is the perfect time for a refreshed look.

Why you need to add promotion to LinkedIn

Some people think updating LinkedIn is optional. It’s not. Here’s why:

1. Authority & Social proof

Your new title signals growth. If you’re in sales, partnerships, or leadership, this gives you instant credibility.

2. Visibility & Opportunities

LinkedIn is a search engine. Adding your promotion improves your ranking for relevant keywords, opening doors to recruiters, collaborators, or clients.

3. Personal brand

Your career story isn’t just for employers. It’s for your entire professional network. Updating your promotion shows progress, ambition, and consistency.

4. Social selling

If you use LinkedIn for business development, a new title can increase your reply rates and make outreach more effective.

5. Future-proofing

Think of LinkedIn as your living résumé. Keeping it updated saves time and avoids headaches when you do need it for a job search.

A few best practices for updating a promotion:

• Keep it results-focused, not task-focused. Showcase achievements, not duties.
• Add media when possible. Visuals stand out.
• Don’t overshare. Keep personal details positive but professional.
• Build over time. Update achievements after 3–6 months in the role.

And a few mistakes to avoid:

• Copy-pasting your HR job description. It’s dull and doesn’t tell your story.
• Forgetting to update your headline and summary. This creates inconsistency.
• Leaving gaps or overlaps in dates. Makes your career history look messy.
• Relying only on LinkedIn’s auto-post. Personalize your announcement.

Final thoughts about how to add promotion on LinkedIn

Your promotion is more than a line on your CV. It’s a chance to reflect, celebrate, and strategically position yourself for what’s next.

Don’t make the mistake I did years ago of quietly updating your profile. Use this moment. Share your story. Invite your network to be part of the journey.

Because here’s the truth: every promotion is not just a recognition of what you’ve achieved. It’s an invitation to what’s ahead. And LinkedIn is the stage where that next chapter begins.

So go update your profile. Write that post. Tag your team. Celebrate.

And get ready. The best opportunities often come when you simply let the world know you’re ready for them.

Congratulations again on your promotion. Now go tell your story.