Transitioning to a new job
April 28, 2018
Finally landing a job offer after weeks, or months of searching can be a rewarding experience. It could be an even bigger feeling of relief if you didn’t have a job beforehand. However, if you are switching from one position to another, you might have some anxious feelings about how to change to a new job. Here are some tips you can follow to make your transition to your new role as smooth as possible.
Talk to your current boss
It’s normal to feel uneasy about telling your boss that you will be leaving. Keep in mind that you are probably not the first person that has told your boss that they found another job. The best thing that you can do in this conversation is; be honest and straightforward. You decided to take the new position because it is the right choice to make for your career and hopefully your boss will understand. You should also talk to your boss about the new job before you tell your coworkers. If your boss isn’t the first person to whom you make the announcement, they might hear that you are leaving from someone other than you.
Help your office succeed after you leave
You will have some time, typically two weeks, between telling your boss that you are leaving and your last day. You should spend your last two weeks helping your boss and your co-workers prepare for your departure. Any work that is not going to be finished before you leave should be passed on to someone else to complete. You should also put together a list of tasks that you complete if they aren’t already known. You don’t want to burn any bridges at your current job, so help them prepare.
Prepare for your new job
When you aren’t at work at your current job, you should be preparing for your new position. You will have all kinds of details to iron out, and you want to be as prepared as possible. Keep in mind that you should not work on any preparations for your new job while at work at your current job. The two weeks you spend transitioning between positions will be a hectic time, so be ready to spend your free time contacting your new boss and making plans.
Get ahead of the game
Even if you are moving to a position at the same level, every position is different. You should spend as much time as you can get ready for your new job. You should spend your free time researching your new company. Read news in your new field, see if there is anything new happening at your new company, and get ready for lots of paperwork. Get together any paperwork you will need for the hiring process at your new job.
Moving to a new job can be a hectic process, but it can also be rewarding. The most important thing you can do is be ready for the unexpected. If you are ready to transition into a new job, check out our listings on GetHiredLocal.com.