What to Write in a LinkedIn Work Anniversary Message

Work Anniversary Message on LinkedIn

Congratulate the person by mentioning their specific role or department. This adds relevance and avoids sounding generic. For example: “Congratulations on your 3rd year as Lead Product Designer at Acme Inc!”

Reference a notable achievement or project they’ve contributed to. This shows attention to detail and adds authenticity: “Your work on the 2023 app redesign really raised the bar.”

Keep the tone upbeat, but professional. Avoid inside jokes unless you share a close relationship. Stick to wording that works in a public setting.

Finish with a call to continued success or shared growth: “Wishing you continued success and many more milestones ahead!” or “Excited to keep building great things together.”

Avoid templates or vague phrases like “Congrats on your work anniversary!” that sound like auto-generated messages. Tailor each message to the person and their contributions.

How to Write a Personalized Work Anniversary Message That Stands Out

Mention a specific achievement from the past year that only someone familiar with the person’s work would know. For example: “Watching your campaign triple the conversion rate last quarter was impressive.” This shows genuine interest and attention to detail.

Use their name in the opening line. A message that begins with “Congratulations, Maya!” instantly feels more direct and human than a generic “Happy work anniversary.”

Include one personal touch that goes beyond work. Referencing their love for cycling, recent travels, or volunteer work adds warmth and shows that your connection goes beyond the professional.

Avoid templates and standard phrases. Replace “Thanks for your contributions” with something like “Your calm leadership during the launch made a difference to the whole team.” Specificity makes the message memorable.

Keep the tone conversational. Use contractions and natural phrasing, like “Can’t believe it’s been three years already!” This keeps the message from sounding stiff or robotic.

Close with a short, sincere comment about the future. “Excited to see what you’ll take on next” or “Looking forward to another year of learning from you” wraps the message with energy and positivity without sounding forced.

When Is the Best Time to Post or Send a Work Anniversary Message on LinkedIn?

Send your message between 9:00 AM and 11:00 AM on a weekday, ideally Tuesday through Thursday. These time slots align with peak engagement on LinkedIn, when most users check their feeds before diving into focused work. Monday mornings and Friday afternoons tend to see lower interaction due to inbox overload or weekend mode.

If you’re tagging someone in a post, verify that their actual work anniversary date aligns with the LinkedIn notification. Users often update roles retroactively, which may shift the visible date.

Avoid weekends and late evenings. Posts during those times often get buried, as LinkedIn’s algorithm prioritizes recent activity during high-traffic periods. Scheduling the post for early morning gives it a longer window to gain visibility through likes and comments.

For private messages, match the tone and timing to your relationship. A quick message early in the day feels more intentional and allows room for a response within working hours.

What to Avoid Saying in a LinkedIn Work Anniversary Message

Avoid generic phrases like “Congrats on your work anniversary!” without adding anything personal. It feels automated and shows little effort.

Skip personal questions. Avoid asking about promotions, salaries, or future plans. LinkedIn isn’t the place for those conversations unless the person has shared that information publicly.
Don’t bring up unrelated memories. Recalling inside jokes or past office drama might confuse others or feel unprofessional in a public setting.
Never mention time flying by. Phrases like “Can’t believe it’s been X years!” are overused and add no real value to your message.
Don’t make it about yourself. Keep the focus on the person you’re congratulating. Avoid turning the message into a story about your own career or shared experiences unless directly relevant.
Steer clear of vague compliments. Saying someone is “amazing” or “awesome” without context doesn’t help your message stand out. Instead, mention one specific thing they do well.

Write something specific and brief. Acknowledge their contributions, express genuine appreciation, and keep it professional. Aim for sincerity, not volume.