New job, transition period
Congratulations
Your new job is in the bag and you are now in the ‘in-between jobs phase’. Go out and celebrate, grab a drink with friends, have a nice dinner and treat yourself – the hard part is over!
It is so important to take some time for yourself in between jobs as this can really improve both your mental and physical function – finding a new job is not always easy and can be a full time job in itself.
However, once you’ve celebrated your good news and had a bit of down time, it’s time to get serious. So what should you do leading up to your last day at your current job and first day at your new job? We have put together a few pointers to help keep you on the right track:
Break the news
This is a really exciting time for you! Tell your family, tell your friends, there is nothing more encouraging than support from your nearest and dearest so don’t keep it bottled inside. However you decide to break the news, whether it be on social media or word of mouth, don’t be negative about your current employer. You don’t want it getting round that you are bad mouthing a company that got you to where you are today as those negative comments might come back to bite you!
Thank you!
It is so important to stay motivated and continue working hard in your last couple of weeks as you never know when you might need a favour such as a reference from your current employer. Always try and leave on a positive note and avoid burning bridges. Send a thank you card to those who have helped you along the way – a little gesture goes a long way.
Be financially prepared
There are often times when going through a job change that you could go a few weeks without being paid – if you are going from a job that pays weekly to a job that pays monthly then you have to ensure you have enough money saved to fall back on until your first pay packet with your new company comes through. Don’t leave yourself short as this will cause unnecessary stress which is never good when starting a new job.
Do your research
Before you start, speak to your new employer and get the low down – what should you expect on your first day? What is the dress code? What is the norm for lunch breaks? There would be nothing worse than turning up in a pristine suit only to find out the dress code is casual and vice versa! If your new colleagues tend to use the canteen at lunch or go out and eat together, try and join them – it will be a good opportunity to get to know them.
Test run
There would be nothing more embarrassing than showing up late on your first day! In the weeks leading up to your first day, find the best/most efficient route to get there. Time how long it takes to get there, whether you use public transport, walk, cycle or drive always be sure to leave extra time for traffic and rush hour congestion. Always take into account that the roads are quieter during school half terms too.
Keep us updated!
Finally, if you are worrying or have any questions at all, please don’t hesitate to contact us here at Red Door. We are always here to help and will endeavour to answer any queries or solve any issues for you before your first day.