How to Add a Promotion on LinkedIn: Step-by-Step Guide 2026

To add a promotion on LinkedIn, edit your current position in the Experience section and click "Add new position" when prompted. LinkedIn will ask "Did you get promoted?" and guide you through adding your new title while keeping your work history connected.

This guide covers both methods for adding promotions—whether you're updating within the same company or moving to a new role—plus tips for maximizing visibility and engagement.

Key Takeaways

• Two methods available: Edit existing position or add a new position
• Keep company history connected: Both roles should show under the same company
• Notify your network: Toggle the notification option to share your news
• Update your headline: Reflect your new title for immediate visibility
• Wait for official start: Add the promotion after your start date for accuracy

Method 1: Edit Your Current Position (Recommended)

This method keeps your career progression clearly visible under one company. According to LinkedIn's career update guide, this approach is recommended for internal promotions.

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Go to your profile: Click the "Me" icon and select "View Profile"
2. Scroll to Experience: Find the Experience section
3. Click the pencil icon: Edit your current position at the company
4. Look for the promotion prompt: When you change your title, LinkedIn asks "Did you get promoted?"
5. Click "Add new position": This adds your new role while preserving history
6. Enter new details: Add title, start date, and description
7. End your previous role: Set the end date for your old position
8. Save changes: Review and save

What LinkedIn's Promotion Prompt Looks Like

When you edit your title, LinkedIn displays:

"Did you get promoted? Add a new position to show your career progression."

Clicking "+ Add new position" opens fields for your new role while keeping both positions linked to the same company.

Method 2: Add as a New Position

If the promotion prompt doesn't appear, you can manually add a new position.

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Access Experience section: Go to your profile and find Experience
2. Click the + symbol: Located in the top right of the Experience section
3. Select "Add position": Choose to add a new role
4. Enter company name exactly: Use the same spelling as your existing entry
5. Add new title and details: Complete all relevant fields
6. Set the end date on old position: Edit your previous role to add an end date
7. Save both entries: Ensure dates don't overlap incorrectly

Important: Match Company Names Exactly

For roles to appear connected, the company name must match exactly. According to LinkedIn's experience guide:

Entry	Result
"Microsoft Corporation" + "Microsoft"	Shows as separate companies
"Microsoft" + "Microsoft"	Shows connected progression

Select from the dropdown suggestions to ensure consistency.

Should You Notify Your Network?

LinkedIn offers the option to share your promotion with your network. Here's how to decide.

How to Enable Network Notifications

When adding or editing a position, look for the toggle at the top of the form:

"Notify network" - Toggle ON to share your update

This creates a post announcing your new role that appears in your connections' feeds.

Pros of Notifying Your Network

• Generates congratulations and engagement
• Informs contacts of your new responsibilities
• Creates networking opportunities
• Boosts profile visibility temporarily

Cons of Notifying Your Network

• May be premature if not yet announced internally
• Could create awkwardness if confidential
• Might seem boastful to some contacts
• Triggers many notification emails

Best Practice

According to career experts, wait 1-2 weeks after starting your new role before making the LinkedIn update. This lets you:

• Ensure the transition is complete
• Gather early achievements to mention
• Align with any company announcements
• Avoid premature disclosure

How to Write Your Promotion Description

A strong description showcases your new responsibilities and achievements.

What to Include

Focus on achievements, not just responsibilities:

Weak Description	Strong Description
"Responsible for sales team"	"Lead 12-person sales team that exceeded Q1 targets by 34%"
"Manage marketing projects"	"Oversee $2M marketing budget, driving 156% increase in qualified leads"
"Handle customer success"	"Reduced churn by 28% through implementation of proactive outreach program"

Structure Your Description

1. Lead with impact: Start with your biggest achievement or responsibility
2. Quantify results: Include numbers, percentages, or dollar amounts
3. Show scope: Mention team size, budget, or geographic reach
4. Connect to business outcomes: Tie your work to company goals

Example Promotion Description

Promoted to Senior Product Manager to lead ConnectSafely's flagship
LinkedIn engagement platform.

Key achievements:
• Launched 3 major product features driving 45% increase in user retention
• Grew team from 4 to 11 engineers across two time zones
• Established product roadmap process adopted company-wide
• Achieved #1 Product Hunt launch with 2,800+ upvotes

Building the future of LinkedIn inbound lead generation.

What Else to Update After a Promotion

Your promotion affects more than just the Experience section. Update these areas too.

Headline

Your headline appears everywhere on LinkedIn—search results, comments, messages. Update it to reflect your new role:

Before: "Product Manager | B2B SaaS" After: "Senior Product Manager @ ConnectSafely | LinkedIn Growth"

Need help crafting a compelling headline? Try our free LinkedIn Headline Generator.

About Section

Revise your summary to reflect your new scope:

• Update your current focus area
• Add new areas of expertise
• Refresh your career narrative
• Include new achievements

Skills & Endorsements

Consider adding skills relevant to your new role:

• Leadership and management skills
• Strategic planning capabilities
• New technical competencies
• Industry-specific expertise

Featured Section

Update with content relevant to your new position:

• Recent presentations or talks
• Projects from your new role
• Updated portfolio pieces
• Relevant certifications

Common Issues and Solutions

Problem: Both Positions Show Separately

Cause: Company names don't match exactly.

Solution: Edit one position to use the exact same company name as the other. Select from the dropdown to ensure consistency.

Problem: Can't Find "Add New Position" Prompt

Cause: LinkedIn doesn't always show the prompt.

Solution: Use Method 2—manually add a new position with the same company name.

Problem: Notification Went to Network Prematurely

Cause: Notification toggle was enabled by default.

Solution: You can't unsend the notification, but you can edit the position details to add more context about your start date.

Problem: Previous Role Still Shows as "Present"

Cause: Forgot to add end date to old position.

Solution: Edit the previous position and add the end date.

Timing Your LinkedIn Update

Timing matters for maximum impact and appropriateness.

Wait Until It's Official

Don't update LinkedIn until:

• You've signed all paperwork
• The promotion has been announced internally
• Your start date has arrived
• You've confirmed with your manager it's okay to share

Best Days to Announce

According to LinkedIn engagement data:

Day	Engagement Level
Tuesday	High
Wednesday	Highest
Thursday	High
Monday	Moderate
Friday-Sunday	Lower

Mid-week announcements typically receive more congratulations and engagement.

Leveraging Your Promotion for Inbound Leads

A promotion is a natural opportunity to strengthen your LinkedIn authority.

Share the Story, Not Just the Title

Instead of a simple announcement, share what you learned:

• Challenges you overcame
• Skills that helped you grow
• Advice for others on similar paths
• Gratitude for supporters

This approach attracts engagement and positions you as thoughtful, not just successful.

Connect with New Contacts

Your promotion opens doors to:

• Peers at your new level
• Industry groups for senior professionals
• Speaking or writing opportunities
• Mentorship possibilities

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I add a promotion on LinkedIn without it showing as a new job?

Edit your existing position by clicking the pencil icon in your Experience section. When you change the title, LinkedIn will prompt you to "Add new position" which keeps both roles connected under the same company, showing your career progression clearly.

Should I notify my network about my LinkedIn promotion?

It depends on your situation. If the promotion is publicly announced and you want engagement, enable the notification toggle. If you prefer discretion or want to wait for the right moment, keep it off. Many professionals wait 1-2 weeks after starting to make the update.

Why don't my two positions show under the same company?

The company names must match exactly for LinkedIn to connect them. Check that both entries use identical spelling and formatting. Select the company from LinkedIn's dropdown suggestions rather than typing manually to ensure consistency.

Can I add a promotion on LinkedIn before I start the new role?

Technically yes, but it's not recommended. Wait until your official start date has arrived and any internal announcements have been made. Premature updates can create awkwardness and may need to be corrected if circumstances change.

How do I write a good promotion description for LinkedIn?

Focus on achievements rather than responsibilities. Include specific metrics like percentages, dollar amounts, or team sizes. Lead with your biggest impact, and connect your work to business outcomes. Use bullet points for readability and keep descriptions under 300 words.

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