Starting a new job after a long search is a very exciting time, but it is not necessarily the end of your journey. If you’re reading this you have been putting in the time and effort it takes to get hired, so if you’ve found employment- pat yourself on the back and congratulate yourself on all the hard work that went into getting your new position. No matter how many people helped you along the way, no matter how much it feels like it just landed in your lap, at the end of the day you were hired because you did the work.
The new job is not, however, the end of your work. There are still a number of loose ends at the end of a job search that are good to tie off before you begin your new chapter. First things first- thank everyone who helped you along the way. For starters, this is just a kind thing to do, everyone loves to be acknowledged for the help they give. On top of this, you are much more likely to be remembered and helped again (should you ever need it) if you thank the people who got you there. Send thank you notes to everyone, and if there are people who went the extra mile, feel free to send them gifts. A little act of gratitude can go a long way.
If you have been on the job-search for a long time, chances are you have developed some skills for time and stress management. Maybe you have been doing yoga or taking a walk in the morning to get your brain running. Maybe you’ve started meditating to clear your head and learn more about what you want to do. Maybe you have been calling old friends more often, for both networking and recreational purposes. Now that you’ve got a new job these may seem extraneous, but they aren’t. Don’t scrap the good behaviors just because they are no longer as necessary. We often develop our best habits during times of difficulty, remembering to keep them while life is good will make it much easier to get back into them if they become necessary again.
Lastly, remember that the first job you take may not be the last job you work. Maybe you’ve been offered your dream position, or maybe you’ve been offered something that is just good enough for you. In either case, do not forget that there are other options out there. Research the average salary for your position and see if your new salary is comparable, check to see what your company’s competitors are paying, make sure your workload is roughly the same as others. It is always good to stay informed of what is going on. When we are looking for jobs it is easy to remember to do these things, but they are just as important after we get hired as they are before.
If a recruiter calls you up, have a chat with them. Calls from recruitment agencies are kept 100% confidential, and you may find that they have something better to offer. Similarly it might be a good idea to keep your subscription to any job-placement agencies you use, at least until you know whether or not you are satisfied in your new job. That way if you decide to change paths you still have all your resources at hand.
So, if you’ve found a job, be excited- but don’t forget the work that got you the job. Thank the people who helped you, continue your good habits, and remember to keep your eyes and ears open for any new opportunities on the horizon!