You have a job! Congratulations! Now it’s time to start thinking about all of the things you will have to do to prepare for your move, but first be sure to tell everyone you know that you accepted an offer!

Things to Do 

• Thank your professors again for their assistance with your job search.
• Stay in touch with your new institution. Be sure that your new department knows how to contact you during the time between your acceptance of the offer and the time you begin work. Send in all employment paperwork in a timely manner and ask the department chair what else you need to do to facilitate your transition to your new position. Order your computer hardware and software, set up your e-mail account, etc. before you arrive so that you can hit the ground running.
• After you accept your position, write a letter thanking the dean, department chair, search committee chair, etc. for hiring you. Convey your excitement about being hired.
• Write a letter to the other institutions to which you applied. Notify them of your new position and thank them for considering your application.
• Start checking out your new community. Realtors and real estate sites can be extremely helpful for getting information about housing, neighborhoods, and schools. Get information from the chamber of commerce, local realty association, University public relations office, etc. Ask your future faculty member peers for their recommendations regarding realtors, neighborhoods, school districts, doctors, day care, insurance and mortgage companies, banks, etc.
• Prepare yourself mentally for a new transition. You should anticipate that your first years as a faculty member will be both rewarding and challenging.

Things to Avoid

• Don’t go to your institution ABD (all but dissertation). Make sure you’re done with your dissertation before you leave your current institution for your new one.

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