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The journey to your first day after accepting a job offer

Written by: Charlotte Rogers
Published on: 26 Sep 2022
Category:

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Once you’ve accepted a new job offer, it can feel like a huge weight has been lifted. The initial feeling of relief and success towards your new role or company is great to have. It’s a reward for all of the hard work you had to do during your job search, to get here. However, from now to your first day, there are some very important things you need to do. This article discusses those tasks and helps you form a plan, to make sure your first day in your new job, can be a successful one. 

Hand in your resignation

Once you accept a new role, it’s time to let your current employer know what is happening. It might sound like an obvious point to make, but a lot of people really don’t want to do it. It can feel awkward, and you want to do it right to avoid burning any bridges. It can be a nerve-wracking task to do. 

It’s good to have a plan and prepare yourself for what you will say. Also, it’s good practice to prepare yourself for the chances of a counter-offer. 

Ensure you have a formal resignation letter ready, but it’s always best to have an in-person conversation with your line manager, if you can. Discuss the new opportunity, be polite and more importantly, stay professional. Being open and honest is always the best thing to do.

Let the other employers in your job search know

This is a step a lot of job seekers forget about. When you’re looking for a new role, there may be other employers that you have scheduled interviews with, or you may be in further discussion about your application. 

When you have accepted a new job and are happy to turn down any others in the running, make sure you let them know. Interviews and hiring can take a lot of time and it’s important to try and not waste their time. Drop them a formal email or give them a call to let them know you will be withdrawing from the process. 

Look over your new contract

When you accept a job offer, you should get your new work contract within a set amount of time. Once you have received it, either in the post or electronically, you should start to read through it straight away. 

Make sure you are 100% happy with everything before you sign the document. Once signed, there is not much you can do if you notice something is wrong, incorrect or not what you expected. 

Contracts can be very long documents, so don’t force yourself to read it all at once. It can be good practice to split it up into sections and make notes as you go. Keep track of everything you have read and get in contact with the employer straight away if something doesn’t align to the employment agreement you previously made. Only when you are happy and understand everything, do you sign it and send it over to the employer. 


Fill out forms (there could be a lot!)

When you start a new job, there can be many forms to complete. Your contract is not the only document you usually have to look over, sign and send back. So, make sure you are keeping track of documents related to salary forms, staff declarations and other forms they may ask you to complete.

Whilst working through a notice period and trying to get ready for a new role, it can be easy to forget about and misplace tasks like this. Make sure you note everything and stay on top of it. 

Talk to your new line manager

It can be a good idea to talk to your new line manager when you have accepted a new job. Have a quick discussion about the role, thank them for the opportunity and just try and stay in contact throughout your notice period. This can be useful to discuss start dates, times, and places they may want to meet you on your first day. Especially if you are working in an office or designated workplace, they may want to meet you somewhere particular to start the tour for your first day. It’s just easier to stay talking and discuss anything you feel is important before your start date.

Requested personal documents

There can be a lot to remember for your first day. I find that it’s good to write a list and keep it handy before your first day at work to ensure nothing important is forgotten. Including but not limited to:

  • Your passport
  • Payment documents (bank account you want to be paid into) 
  • Your ID (can be passport)
  • Your degree or qualifications if they request them

The employer should always let you know in advance what they need you to supply on your first day, it’s just important to remember! It can be more than easy to forget when you have 100+ other thoughts running through your mind. 

What else do you need to consider?

It can feel like your first day in a new job, is similar to a first day at school. There are things to remember and plenty to worry about for the day ahead. But what do you need to do or bring? Sometimes these things can feel very simple, but I find they are easily forgotten on the first day. 

  • Have they asked you to bring any specific uniform or is there a dress code you need to adhere to?
  • A notepad and pen! (Always forgotten when you need them most)
  • Engineering specific safety equipment (if you provide it yourself)
  • Lunch! 

All important for your first day at work. 

Lastly, congratulations on your new role. It can sometimes feel like a marathon to get to this point, but you’ve reached your goal. Follow these steps after accepting a new job and hopefully, it may help you feel better about the list of things you need to complete. Before long, you’ll be having your first day in that new job you worked so hard to get! - So, it’s worth it!