New Position Start Date – 5 Tips To Transition Like A Champ

So, you’ve signed the offer to join a new company and successfully handed over your resignation to your employer. You’ve crossed that major career move hurdle, but now you need to come to terms with the fact that you are switching careers and with that comes a level of uncertainty and possibly some first day anxiety. Change, no matter the type, is uncomfortable for most, but it’s the one constant that we can all look forward to in life. The key comes in your preparation. That’s where we come into play as your recruitment partner.

If you’ve haven’t checked it out yet, please be sure to read our last article on how to effectively resign from your current position. Believe it or not, there is a right and a wrong way to depart from your current employer and you never want to burn a bridge behind you.

Resignation Anxiety? Try These Tips…

Here are my top 5 tips for how to make your transition into your new role with a new company a seamless one:

1. Send a thank you note after signing the offer to everyone who was involved in your recruitment process – i.e., HR, Management, Peers, etc. In this thank you note, you should reiterate your excitement about joining the company/team and reinforce your commitment to make it a smooth transition for everyone.
2. Offer to review any information that is pertinent to your role that will ultimately give you a head start on day 1. Companies might be reluctant to engage a new employee in this manner, but it doesn’t hurt to ask and you are immediately painted as someone who takes initiative.
3. Depending on availabilities, ask your immediate supervisor if you can visit the office prior to your start for another walkthrough of the office or plant. It will also be good to acquaint yourself with the commute, especially if your interviews were all virtual.
4. Make sure that HR has all of your required onboarding documents. If a background check is required, be clear with your HR representative on how you are to submit these documents (i.e., whether by email or in-person when you officially join).
5. Make sure that you know your first day agenda and who you should report to when you arrive. Arrive early & get settled.

This is not a comprehensive list, but a guide to help you make a successful leap to your new company. How you start is extremely important and sets the tone for your first day, and the week ahead. Congratulations on having the courage to make this change and I wish you the best in your new adventure!