Status: Say “Hello” to my new Job!
This post belongs to our series of Tips and Tricks to help professionals put their network to good use. Today, we focus on the art of crafting effective farewell communication when you’re in between jobs.
One of the hot topics these past few days covered the surprising candor with which “Farewell emails” are being sent these days by employees who’ve either been laid off or in-between jobs. The LA Times recently shared some good and bad examples of farewell communication and their direct consequences:
Some farewell e-mails strike a lighthearted, even funny tone. Some are workmanlike and short. Others are poetic or poignant, expressing surprise or regret at the turn of events. A very few — and these are the ones that get most of the attention — use the electronic goodbye to blast the boss.
Given that many professionals unfortunately are forced to deal with layoffs these days, I asked my colleague and in-house career expert – Krista Canfield, on what she thought were some “Farewell communication” best practices. I couldn’t agree more with Krista’s suggestion on using Status to either replace or augment the old school way of saying goodbye to your old company.
Here are some quick thoughts on how employees, either laid off or in between jobs, can use status updates to communicate effectively during those times of change.
1. If you’ve been laid off:
The tone of a relevant status update, especially on professional networking sites like LinkedIn can be best exemplified by Richard Bravo. A former managing editor of the Daily News Record (DNR), Richard was laid off three days short of his anniversary, as a result of which his severance was credited at two years. Here’s what Richard emailed his connections:
He was straightforward and brief: “I apologize for the mass e-mail, but today’s issue of DNR will be the last. . . . We folded last week and are now on ‘forced vacation’ to put it nicely. . . . If you need to get in touch with me please use this info.”
I think a status update such as the one above, would have been an equally effective way to get that message out to your professional network. Not only is such a 140 char. status message succinct, but it’s also highly effective in soliciting your connections’ support in helping you find that new job. In Richard’s case, his farewell email yielded “a number of freelance assignments”. Stay tuned for more examples of how a LinkedIn Status message could help find a job.
2. If you’re in-between jobs:
However, one of the most important purposes of a “farewell email” has traditionally been to re-establish a line of contact with past colleagues and friends. In days past, an email may have been the best way to communicate that, but increasingly you’ll find that status updates are a great way to announce the transition.
Now that thousands of people are finding themselves with pink slips and the need to let colleagues and contacts know they are moving on and — perhaps more important for job seekers — how they can be reac
Farewell status updates also provide you an easy way to stay in touch with your connections irrespective of the email addresses you use. So, even when your email address changes as you move from one job to another, being connected with them on LinkedIn helps maintain that connection. An added benefit of using status vs. a mass email to broadcast your professional move is it’s impermanence. If you decide your status could be worded better, you can always delete or modify that and start afresh. And, finally, status updates are a low-touch way to allow interested connections to check out your message without pushing your mass email out to thousands who may view it as spam.
Update your LinkedIn Status today
Feel free to share your thoughts on using status updates vs. email for saying your goodbye’s to colleagues
Tags: farewellemails, linkedinstatus, status
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pfnikolai February 25th, 2009
Thanks for the ideas! Will LinkedIn enable users to sync their Status from Twitter any time soon? I really only have one Status and would like to avoid having to enter it on multiple sites. Plaxo and Facebook already support Status updates flowing from Twitter…
Mario Sundar February 25th, 2009
@pfnikolai,
That’s a question that comes up quite often. Have you tried using a service like ping.fm to upload your status to multiple sites? That should save you the trouble.
berart February 26th, 2009
I can say that Ping.fm is working great!
Jon Clarke February 26th, 2009
Just to add to this post, I have always thought the farewell email is a great opportunity to leave a great impression on your (former) co-workers.
#1 Rule is do NOT blast anyone – it makes no sense to burn bridges. You’ll just look bitter and weak.
#2 Rule is be positive! Hit the highlights of your tenure with the company. As a sales guy, I talk about revenue, % of quota and big deals; all while giving credit to everyone who helped behind the scenes. “WE did it.”
If you do this well, people will remember you for the right reasons and we all know it is a small world. What goes around comes around.
I hope all your farewells are leading to bigger and better things for you!
Denise Melovidov February 28th, 2009
I think you should spend more time working than blogging… LOL … Mario, my friend, I love your blog!
Job Search 2.0 - lachamba.com March 2nd, 2009
[...] to find the job you want. Mario Sundat, at the LinkedIn Blog, wrote on a good way to leverage a farewell email to find job [...]
Katherine Smith March 6th, 2009
I would like to make and ask for “recommendations,” however, I’m confused by being prompted for the “title.” Since I am temping and in between permanent jobs, I’m wondering how to best handle the recommendations feature. Can you help?
Thanks,
Katherine
Ginny Beatty March 9th, 2009
When I finished up at my last job I sent a memo to the project team and manager discussing my status and thanking them for the opportunity to work with them. It’s common courtesy and now more than ever it’s important to leave a favorable lasting impression.
dirkfrey March 23rd, 2009
@ Katherine,
The recommendation process asks you to identify what position you and your connection held when you worked with that person. The drop downs offers a selection of the various positions you have held in the past and have listed on your LinkedIn Profile. The same goes for the positions of the member you are recommending. However, if you do not choose a position (title) for those open fields you will be prompted to do so before the system allows you to continue.
PiterKokoniz April 7th, 2009
Hi !!!! ;)
I am Piter Kokoniz. Just want to tell, that I’v found your blog very interesting
And want to ask you: will you continue to post in this blog in future?
Sorry for my bad english:)
Thank you!
Piter.
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