Whether you landed a job offer in just a couple of weeks of searching or it took months, now that it’s here, it’s definitely cause for celebration. Congratulations! But have you considered that this is only the first step toward the rest of your career journey? There are a few things you can do after accepting a job offer that will enable you to start your next role strong and be ready for success. In fact, I have seven to share with you. If you have more ideas, let me know in the comments!
#1: Update Your LinkedIn Profile and Notify Your Network
Hopefully, you’ve been all over LinkedIn throughout your job search, so after accepting a job offer, it’s time to tell your network the good news. After all, if you’ve been updating them throughout the journey, they’ve been rooting for you, so they’ll be excited to congratulate your success. I suggest waiting until you actually start the new role, and some people even prefer to wait a couple of weeks to make sure it sticks. In addition to adding the position to your experience section, be sure to:
- Create a post to announce that you’ve landed, thank those who helped you, and share a bit about what you’ll be doing.
- Change your headline to reflect your new position.
- Update your summary, especially if it was more slanted toward marketing you as a prospective employee.
- Add any new skills that might come into play as you move forward.
- End your last position and change the wording to past tense.
#2: Update Your Resume
It may seem odd to update your resume right after accepting a job offer, but it’s always good to keep your resume up to date. While you won’t have much to add right away, you can include your new position, company, location, and date you started, along with some of the things you’ll be doing.
If you’re moving directly from one position to the next, take a moment to end that older role and change the verbs to past tense. Include any additional accomplishments or tasks that you may not have added previously. Especially when it comes to metrics, you probably won’t have access to those after you depart the company.
As you move forward in your new position, be sure to keep that resume updated with any new achievements. Future you will be grateful for this head start should you find yourself out looking again.
#3: Take a Moment to Thank “the Little People”
I’m reminded of an award acceptance speech in which the celebrity mentioned they wanted to “thank the little people.” Obviously, the people who helped you find this new role were big contributors to your success, so let them know! Call, email, send a LinkedIn InMail, write a handwritten thank-you note, or take them out for coffee. You can give them a nominal gift, such as a gift card, if you feel it’s warranted (although it certainly shouldn’t be expected). The point is that you want to show them how much you appreciate their support in helping you with your resume, providing solid career guidance, or acting as a reference. Your display of gratitude creates good karma.
#4: Connect with Your New Employer Before Day One
Employers appreciate when new employees start the ball rolling—even before their first day on the job. After accepting a job offer, reach out to your new boss and ask how you can ensure immediate and ongoing success. Some questions to ask include:
- Expectations for day one—on both your side and theirs. Are there things you should know about the schedule, what to bring, and logistics in general?
- Does the company have any onboarding materials that you should review beforehand?
- Are there any key team members you should connect with prior to starting?
Asking how you can start before you start shows your enthusiasm and helps make the transition much more seamless.
#5: Plan Your First 30, 60, and 90 Days
If you’re moving into a leadership role at the mid or executive level, it’s almost expected that you’ll be ready with a roadmap for your first three months. In fact, you may have even addressed this during your interviews (at least that’s a question I suggest asking), and now is the time to put those suggestions and the feedback you gained into a solid plan. While this is certainly not a fit for every position, here’s a guideline of where you might want to start. Of course, when you touch base with your new boss, you can more specific questions and tailor further.
First 30 days: Learn, absorb, and build relationships
- Understand and become part of the company culture, processes, and expectations.
- Meet key stakeholders and start building rapport.
- Identify quick wins to establish credibility.
Days 31–60: Start contributing and making an impact
- Take ownership of projects, whether small or larger.
- Deepen your understanding of business goals and how you can contribute or drive results.
- Seek feedback and adjust your approach.
Days 61–90: Optimize and add value
- Lead initiatives and show strategic thinking.
- Demonstrate measurable contributions.
- Establish yourself as a valuable team member.
Even if your employer doesn’t ask for a formal roadmap as you start your time with the company, having one helps you feel prepared and proactive. Plus, when you show it to your boss, he or she is sure to be impressed with your go-getter approach.
#6: Exit Your Current Job on a High Note
If you’re currently working when you accept a new job offer, you’ll want to ensure you don’t burn bridges and you make a graceful exit. Give at least two weeks’ notice, tie up loose ends, and help the company move forward successfully without you.
Some things to do as you exit include:
- Give written notice as quickly as possible, so they have plenty of time to transition.
- Document anything you’ve been doing and get tasks and paperwork in order for your replacement.
- Collect recommendations on LinkedIn from colleagues and management.
- Express your gratitude for the experience and leave on a positive note.
Remember, you never know what the future holds and if or when you may need these connections at some point. Be sure you part as friends. Think of it as a good breakup.
#7: Take Time for Yourself
Going directly from one job to the next can be stressful, so if you have time to take a break, do it. It may just be a few days or a couple of weeks, but either way, it’s nice to have some transition time. Spend it doing things you love, such as being with friends and family, taking a vacation, completing projects, working on a hobby, or just reflecting on this new journey.
After Accepting a Job Offer, Be Prepared
Landing a new job is a huge achievement, but the real success comes from how you step into that role. By taking these post-offer steps—updating LinkedIn and your resume; sharing some love with your network; preparing your 30-, 60-, and 90- day plan; connecting with your new manager; and gracefully exiting your prior position—you’re setting yourself up for a strong and confident next chapter.
If you have other suggestions about next steps, I’d love to hear them! And to learn more about how I can help in your job-search journey, start here.