WRITTEN BY DAVID MARWICK FOR KEMPMILLJOBASSIST ON 20 JULY 2017.
If you’ve just landed a new job, congratulations! Whether you’ve been looking for a month or a year, you must be relieved.
Not to burst your bubble, but this job may not be your last. You may again be searching at some point in the future — later rather than sooner, you hope.
Here are four steps you should take soon to repay the kindness others showed you in this job search and to pay it forward to others who may be looking for a job.
Say thanks. You got the job, ultimately, because of what you offer. However, it is likely that many people helped you along the way. Jon Simmons, a contributor to the job search site Monster, suggests that you go on a “thank-you tour.” He says, “You didn’t get this job alone. It took a village. So be sure to thank everyone involved with helping you get hired,” he writes.
Certified resume writer Melanie Brassfield explains the flip side, in a different article: “There is no faster way to burn bridges within your professional network than to neglect thanking the people who helped with your job search journey.”
These include people who made time for informational interviews, passed along information on openings, gave you information about your target company and helped you network with people who already work there, helped with your resume and LinkedIn profile, conducted mock interviews with you, or served as references.
Thanking them serves two purposes. First, showing gratitude is the right thing to do. Second, sharing the good news will make these people more willing to help if you are looking again.
Update your LinkedIn profile. Once you’ve settled into your new job, update your LinkedIn profile and keep it updated. This will inform your network about your new position. Even if you are not actively searching for a job, it will be easier for recruiters and others to find you if they are seeking to hire someone with your skills. This is called stealth or passive recruiting.
Keep track of your accomplishments. With the passage of time, the specifics of today’s big “win” at work — a major project finished, a suggestion implemented, etc. — may be forgotten or become blurry. Regularly keep track of your “wins.” This information will provide the raw material for your next resume and for updating your LinkedIn profile. It will also be helpful in preparing your end-of-year self-assessment. I suggest adding this to your calendar for a specific day each month.
Pay it forward. Just as others helped you land this job, you should make time to help others in their job search, in the ways noted above. Again, not only is it the right thing to do, but it also broadens and deepens your network, which could help in your next job search.
For further reading:
“Here’s what to do after getting a job offer” by Jon Simmons, May 2017,
https://www.monster.com/career-advice/article/what-to-do-after-your-first-job-offer-0517
“5 Actions You Must Take After You Accept a Job Offer” by Melanie Brassfield, September 29, 2016
http://www.gijobs.com/actions-you-must-take-after-you-accept-a-job-offer/