You did it! With the help of a qualified recruiter, you found your dream job, impressed the hiring manager, and nailed your interviews.
Now a job offer is sitting in your inbox.
With colleagues to meet, skills to learn, and goals to reach, starting a new job can be both thrilling and overwhelming. Whether you’re bubbling over with excitement or trying to calm your nerves, a bit of forward-thinking can set you up for success in your new role.
Before you launch this stage of your career by accepting the position, take some time to review the facts and prepare for your transition. Follow the guidelines in this checklist, compiled by the experienced hiring professionals of Sabio Systems, to walk into your first day feeling confident and competent.
First 5 Things to Do After Receiving a Job Offer
1. Review all details of the offer.
With a salary increase on the table, it can be tempting to turn in your new hire paperwork signed, sealed, and delivered ASAP. However, in order to ensure this role is the right fit for you, it’s crucial that you take time to review the fine print of your job offer.
The contracts and compensation packages you’ll receive can have a lasting impact on the future of your employment. Make sure you read and understand each document, and seek advice from a competent hiring professional, like those at Sabio Systems, if necessary.
This is also a great time to double check that all the specifics discussed during your hiring process are included in your compensation package. If you do need to negotiate your salary or compensation details, do it before you accept the new job.
Learn More: What Makes a Good Compensation Package?
2. Accept the offer in writing.
After you and your recruiter have reviewed the particulars of the job offer and deemed it sufficient, it’s time to send in your formal acceptance.
It’s best to accomplish this step via email or letter, as having your acceptance in writing can prevent issues or miscommunications down the line. When you do send in your official acceptance notification, use this time as an opportunity to gather more details about the new role as well. Find out what additional certification might be needed from you, like a background check or education verification.
This stage of the process is also an opportune time to express your gratitude to all the people who helped you land your new position. Send a quick thank you to any professional references, contacts, or hiring professionals who supported you in your job search journey!
3. Formally resign from your current position.
Once you’ve accepted your new role, it’s time to let your current employer know that you’re advancing to the next chapter of your career.
When submitting your resignation, remember that the standard is to provide at least two weeks notice. However, leaving your current role on a positive note is vital for the long-term health of your career, so if you can provide a more advanced heads-up, definitely do so. This will enable you to facilitate the transition more smoothly by helping vet replacement candidates or training the new hire who takes over your position.
After receiving your formal resignation, your current employer might respond with a counteroffer in the form of a salary increase, promotion, or another form of compensation. Be prepared for this by carefully reflecting beforehand on this potential occurrence — would a higher salary or benefits boost change your decision to resign, or is there a deeper reason that’s leading you to consider another employer?
It is important to evaluate reasons why your current employer didn’t offer this improved package sooner. Even if you accept the counteroffer, it is possible that they may resent you for considering another opportunity, or worse, let you go a few months down the road as a result. Although this isn’t guaranteed to happen, these are just a few scenarios the keep in mind and to help you determine what’s most important to you in your career.
It also would be best, at this time, to close out any pending applications you have with other companies. Politely inform the hiring manager that you are no longer actively seeking a new role, and thank them for the opportunity to share your experience.
4. Touch base with your new employer.
Don’t wait until your first day to connect with your new employer! Showcase your commitment to preparedness by touching base before your role begins.
This is an opportune moment to confirm the finer details of the position like dress code requirements and office expectations. If your schedule permits, try setting up an office tour so you can meet your new coworkers and get comfortable with the space before the big day.
To take it a step further, ask your new employer for any available educational resources or training that you could review to sharpen your skills before day one. Use this communication opportunity to also notify the company of any vacations or doctors appointments that might be on the horizon.
5. Get your homework done.
Once you’ve received an orientation package, training module, or video presentation from your new employer, it’s time to get to studying.
Being and feeling prepared is absolutely vital for shaking off the new-job nerves, so use the resources you’ve been provided to their fullest. Make sure you thoroughly read handbooks, watch tutorials, and get comfortable with the new software and platforms you’ll be expected to utilize.
Additionally, don’t forget to pack your lunch, choose your outfit, and fill your work bag with all the necessary tools, technology, and paperwork the night before to alleviate morning-of chaos.
Is Your New Job Remote or In-Person? 3 Bonus Tips to Prepare
1. Get logged on before your first day.
Exceptional employees typically aim to prove their skills and become indispensable to the company within the first 30 days in a new role. In order to accomplish that, however, you need to garner and maintain momentum.
Before your first day begins, request access to any accounts, platforms, softwares, or spreadsheets you’ll need to accomplish your duties. Otherwise, valuable hours that could have been spent learning and absorbing information will be wasted trying to track down information.
2. Make a plan for networking and professional development.
While remote jobs improve accessibility and can provide a healthier work-life balance, they also pose unique challenges for modern professionals as well.
Working from home means that you miss out on your ability to network and bond with the team. To counter this, be sure to consciously enact a plan for professional development. This might look like scheduling time for a quarterly in-person check-in, connecting with your colleagues on LinkedIn, or joining a professional network.
If your new role is in-person, ask your supervisor or coworkers about potential networking opportunities they’ve engaged in, or see if you can tag along next time they attend an event.
Learn More: Making Connections: How to Effectively Network
3. Prepare your working space.
Set yourself up for success by already having a clearly delineated space in your home for working. Otherwise, the distinction between personal and professional time can get blurry. This can negatively impact your employer if you’re billing for time that was actually spent making a sandwich, but it can also negatively impact you, too.
If there aren’t clear boundaries between your personal areas and workspaces, it can be difficult to truly “clock out” and recuperate at the end of the business day.
Learn More: How to Create a Productive Workspace on a Limited Budget
If you are gathering materials in preparation of your first day in your new office, start by asking your hiring manager or supervisor about what materials will be provided. Supplement these items with additional supplies that will help you work as effectively as possible in your new role.
Starting a new job can be intimidating, but it doesn’t have to be lonely. The seasoned hiring professionals of Sabio Systems are here to help you navigate your career endeavors, from the job search to the first day.
When you’re ready to jumpstart your professional life, connect with a recruiter!