Layoff Post on LinkedIn: What not to write when you’ve lost your job
It’s the phone call every employee dreads, the email no employee wants to see in their inbox. You have been fired and no matter what your employer promises to support you in a new role, the way forward is still uncertain.
This has been the reality for tens of thousands of people over the past 12 months, with further layoffs announced almost weekly.
More than 70,000 big tech jobs were eliminated in 2022, including Google-owner Alphabet (12,000 employees), Amazon (18,000), Meta (11,000), Twitter (4,000), Microsoft (10,000) and Salesforce (8,000).
And that was before 2023: PayPal (2,000), Salesforce (8,000), Spotify (6% of the workforce), and Yahoo also cut staff, to name a few.
Heartbroken employees have gone viral for sharing their stories on LinkedIn about losing their roles and the impact it has had, while others have destigmatized layoffs by posting about them on TikTok. One mother-to-be who posted on Twitter found out she lost her job on the platform when she couldn’t log into her computer.
But those moments of anger, panic or fear can’t get in the way of finding your next role, experts warn.
These are the red flags a potential employer might find in your social media posts about layoffs, and here’s what might work in your favor.
Don’t post in anger
Jacqui Barrett, Founder and CEO of Salt added, “It’s a balancing act. If you’re critical, even if it’s valid, it might give the wrong impression. It’s best to own your own narrative and share your story honestly. Focus on your perspective and what you bring to the table that employers and recruiters will be interested in.
“It’s always worth noting that once something has been posted, those words are out in the world. Take a moment to think about what you want to say, and if you’re not sure, have someone you trust say it.”
Shelley Crane, market director at Robert Half, reiterated that the wrong message can be “detrimental” to future prospects, adding: “It’s absolutely vital that you take your time and think about what you’re going to say – tap.” don’t fall into the trap of not posting anything negative about your previous employer or the intricate details of how you lost your job — even if the way it was done wasn’t ideal.”
Focus on your achievements and not on losing your job
“The most important thing is to make yourself visible to recruiters by updating your LinkedIn profile. Whatever happens, that’s always a good thing. Share your achievements, share what you were responsible for and highlight the value you bring. That’s more important than how you left the job,” said Jennifer Wood, global head of marketing at Salt, a UK-based digital recruiter.
DO NOT name former colleagues
Unless you say thank you.
So many leads that can generate new work could come through former employees, said Lewis Maleh, founder of recruitment firm Bentley Lewis — especially when you’re leaving a larger company.
His message was simple: “Always walk with dignity. No matter how you’re feeling, you never know when you’ll see each other again. It’s tough, especially when you have bills to pay, but walk with dignity and it will pay you back a thousandfold.
“Don’t name names, it’s so distasteful and a really bad move. People always remember the bad behavior and so much work comes from people you know or may have worked with. If you mention names, do so only to thank them for their help.”
Prepare for follow-up interviews after posting your job search
On a more positive note, Crane, who lives in the UK, added: “It is important that you are able to follow up on potential leads that you receive from your agency, so timing is really crucial. It’s definitely worth taking a step back and considering what you want out of your next role and when you want to start so you’re ready to pursue new opportunities when you post on social media.
“When it comes to content, make sure you clearly and concisely describe your skills and experience, the types of jobs you are interested in, and most importantly, what you are asking your network for help with. For example, to highlight new positions, connect you with recruiters in your area of expertise, or get advice on next steps.”
Don’t waste time while you’re not working
Didn’t get a job? Prove you’re proactive and post about it.
Alistair Stirling, consultant at Stirling Careers Consultancy, said he always encourages clients to volunteer and complete short courses whilst they are looking for their next role.
He explained that not only does it give people something to talk about — be it in interviews or on platforms like LinkedIn — it shows that you’re not just sitting around at home.
He warned that in order to appear authentic, the style of the post must match your previous updates.
Keep your profile updated but curated
Profiles that appear authentic to potential new employers are consistently updated with professional merits and benefits, said Doug Ebertowski, careers expert at remote work specialist FlexJobs.
He added: “You may have finally completed a course for a new certification – this is a great addition to share on LinkedIn with a brief explanation of the accomplishment. Have you completed a passion project related to your professional field? Post photos and a short paragraph or two about them.”
However, he reminded candidates that professional profiles should be just that, adding: “Social media faux pas for job seekers include writing or sharing information about your own projects or confidential work assignments that you are working on for your current or previous employers have worked.
“Another is excessively posting status updates about any change in your personal and professional life, or sharing or tagging in overly personal photos on professional platforms.”
Learn how to navigate and build trust in your organization with The Trust Factor, a weekly newsletter exploring what leaders need to succeed. Login here.
