A Better Way to Get Noticed on LinkedIn: Thoughtful Thank-Yous

Gratitude on LinkedIn is like well-designed lighting in a room: it doesn't aim to be the main focus, but it transforms how everything looks. Showing appreciation highlights your values, your work style, and your commitment to others. Thankful posts demonstrate what kind of professional you are without having to shout it out.

By simply honoring collaborators and mentors in a structured way, you can build your reputation and influence. These posts will help you reconnect with coworkers, start new conversations, and build on your strengths—all by saying thank you with purpose.

Thoughtful thank-yous that don't seem fake

Appreciation works best when it is authentic, grounded in specifics, and free of embellishment. The most effective posts are those that talk about the people who helped you with your work, while also tracking how you've changed and how you work. They also change the "here's what I'm doing" rhythm on LinkedIn to something more human and collaborative. Some practical ways to structure your posts follows.

The partnership spotlight:

Give the project and the person's name.

Tell us one thing you learned or a skill you got from working together.

Relate that learning to the way you do similar tasks now.

The mentor moment:

Talk about one piece of advice you used.

Write about how the guidance impacted your career or project.

End with a simple thank you; there’s no need for big praise.

 The lesson-learned post:

Talk about what happened.

In one sentence, tell us what you learned.

Tag colleagues who shaped the outcome.

The team milestone note:

Celebrate the win together.

Point out one thing your team did or how they did it that you liked.

Invite others to add reflections in the comments.

Framing Gratitude as Achievement

Gratitude and your accomplishments don't have to be separate. When you use it with purpose, it lets you showcase what you've done, how you handle problems, and how you're growing in your job. These posts aren’t about self-congratulation; they provide context, tone, and credibility. Below are more examples of thankful posts.

• Link the praise to a result or consequence that can be measured.

• Talk about a skill you improved because of the experience.

• Share how this learning informs the job you wish to take on next.

SUBTLE APPROACHES TO THOUGHTFUL THANK-YOUS

• “This project helped me refine cross-functional workflow management.”  

• "The experience made it easier for me to communicate when I was under a lot of pressure."

• "This partnership gave me new ideas for how to lead complicated projects."

Profile Refresh for November: Small Changes That Make a Big Difference

November is a good time to refresh your LinkedIn profile. Everyone in the hiring process is slowing down, so you can take the time needed to really improve our profile. Plus, your accomplishments from the last year are still fresh in your mind. Below are areas to consider first, which align well with the limited time during the holidays.

• Achievements: Add recent wins with clear, detailed descriptions.

• Metrics: Include numbers that show the impact or result, such as growth, savings, engagement, or quality improvements.

• Skills: List new tools, certificates, or responsibilities.

• Recommendations: Request one from someone who can speak to this year’s contributions.

• Featured section: Add the best posts to this profile section. These might include new portfolio work, presentations, articles, or posts.

Grounded appreciation is a quiet but constant way to strengthen your LinkedIn profile. It shows what you believe in, marks your progress, and makes connections without forcing them.

---

I’m Hillary Hufford-Tucker, founder of Relevated Brands. Since 2019, I’ve helped professionals build relevance and elevate their visibility with standout resumes, optimized LinkedIn profiles, and personal brand strategies tailored to their goals. I’m certified in career coaching, transitions, reinvention, and digital strategy, and I hold an MA in strategic communications and a Level Two Award in Wine from WSET (because I believe in well-rounded credentials). I split my time between Illinois and California, and when I’m not working with clients, I’m usually cycling, traveling, writing, or enjoying a great Syrah—sometimes all at once.

👀Read more of my blog posts here.

* AI-generated image.