Starting a new job brings a whole mix of emotions, from nerves to excitement. While you may be eager to dive into your new role and take on fresh challenges, it’s important not to rush the transition period. Taking time to properly wrap up your current position and thoroughly prepare for your new opportunity will help ensure a smooth onboarding process. Below, we’ll explore four key factors to weigh when starting a new job in the UK.
1. Giving Notice to Your Current Employer
One of the most important steps when starting a new job is properly giving notice to your current employer. This is a formal process that requires care and planning; thankfully, there are tools and templates available to help you with this, such as these resignation letter templates.
In the UK, most companies require at least 1 month’s notice before resigning, though 2-3 months is more common for senior roles. Check your contract to confirm the notice period stipulated. During this time, you are still employed and expected to carry out your regular duties.
When crafting your resignation letter, stick to the facts and maintain a polite, professional tone. Thank the employer for the opportunities provided and express regret for leaving without venting frustrations. Key details to include are:
- Your end date at the company
- Transition plans for handing off work and training replacements
- Contact information for references
With care and planning, you can give proper notice to your employer while setting yourself up for a successful new chapter.
2. Preparing for Your New Role
Once you’ve given notice, shift your focus towards getting ready for your next chapter. Here are some tips:
- Research your new employer, team, and role expectations. Understanding the company’s mission, values, and structure will help you integrate more smoothly.
- Connect with new colleagues on networking sites like LinkedIn to begin building relationships.
- Review your employment contract and stay up-to-date on start-date logistics, required paperwork, and the onboarding process.
- Update your qualifications, CV, professional profiles and social media accounts to reflect your new job.
- Handle any financial matters, like adjusting tax records or rolling over a pension.
- Make arrangements for your commute, childcare or other logistics if needed.
- Wrap up unfinished business and hand over projects to colleagues to avoid leaving loose ends.
With some planning, you can tie up loose ends at your current job while also setting yourself up for success in your new position.
3. Relocating for Your New Job
If your new job requires moving to a new city or region, juggling a career transition along with a relocation can be challenging. Here are some relocation factors to consider:
- Will your employer provide relocation assistance? Some companies offer financial support or contracted services to aid the moving process.
- Sort out housing logistics. Do you need to sell your current home or break a rental agreement? Research neighbourhoods and start looking for a new place in advance.
- Address family matters like finding schools or adjusting your partner’s career plans. A move may be particularly difficult for children.
- Manage the paperwork hassles involved in changing addresses, transferring records, opening new bank accounts, and obtaining visas if moving abroad.
- Research the cost of living differences, new commute options, and other lifestyle changes to expect.
- Arrange to move vehicles, pets and household belongings. Purge and pack well in advance.
Relocating is stressful. Build in extra time for the transition and seek support from your employer, relocation experts and others who have moved.
4. Adapting Your Finances
When starting a new job, examine how the change will impact your financial situation:
- How will your salary, benefits and taxes compare to your previous role? Adjust your budget accordingly.
- Negotiate your offer if needed, especially regarding pensions, stock options or bonuses.
- Research expenses like parking and public transport. Will commuting costs increase significantly?
- Update beneficiaries and contact info on financial accounts, insurance policies and legal documents.
- Review your emergency fund, savings goals and investment plans. You may reprioritise based on your new income and job stability.
- If you will be relocating, factor in costs like flights, shipping, temporary housing, or losses from selling your home.
While a higher salary is exciting, don’t immediately increase your spending. Make smart financial moves like paying down debt or boosting savings when starting a new role.
The time between accepting a new job and starting your role is crucial for setting the stage for success. Balancing your notice period obligations, household logistics, financial matters, and job preparation takes planning and proactivity. But with the right strategies, you can make your career transition as smooth as possible, allowing you to hit the ground running at your new workplace.
