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Starting a new job? Congratulations! After you’ve celebrated winning the role, it’s time to make sure you’re ready for those first few days. That’s when the paperwork will be piled up in front of you: there’ll be all manner of forms about where your pay goes, what your personal details are and which superannuation fund you belong to. Here are five things to have organised in advance, so you can concentrate on remembering your new colleagues’ names.
Prepare your details
Gather up all the essential personal details you might not have at hand. Get together the paperwork so that you have:
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Your tax file number,
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Your superannuation member number,
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Any Centrelink details you need to update, and
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Some stationery, like a diary and pens.
A list of questions
You’re more than likely to have a stack of questions for your new workplace – and you just know those questions will evaporate as soon as you walk through the door. Write a list of the things you want/need to know, and tuck it neatly away in a pocket or bag. You can refer to it discreetly during your first day, in order to come across as less nervous than you actually are.
Research your best super fund
Many of us have kept the same superannuation fund for years (maybe even going back to our first-ever job), without questioning whether it’s still the best option. This is when you should do some decent research and see what you’re potentially missing out on. Start with the government’s MoneySmart website, which has useful tips for comparing super funds. Keep in mind that super is more than a retirement fund – whether you stay with your current fund or change, it’s worth checking that your selections reflect your circumstances.
Update your bank accounts
Starting a new job is the perfect time to look at where your money is going, and compare all the available options. Seek some advice about whether a standard account, a mortgage offset or a low-fee online account (or another option entirely) will have your money working best for you. You might want to set up a new budget based on your updated salary, too.
Get some rest
The best way to start a new role is to turn up rested and ready to hit the ground running. Try to take a little time out – whether it’s a weekend or a full week – to get some sleep and rejuvenate yourself. That way, you’ll walk into that new job feeling energised and ready to impress.
Starting a new job can have you filled with nerves, but the best way of getting off on the right foot is all about being prepared and as free from worry as possible.
