New job card.
What to write.

Say you are pleased, say one thing they did to get the job, and wish them a good first week. That is the whole card.

The new job card messages below are sorted by who they are to you. Change the job or the place so it is theirs, then sign.

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Everyone's words in one card.

Updated 22 September 2026

Lino-cut lettering in a printed band. Congratulations on the new job. They're lucky to have you.

Pick a design

The question

Each writer gets a question.

One at a time, about Sam. They answer in their own words, or write without one.

Who they are to you Anybody A friend Family A partner A colleague

Something you saw Sam do to get here.
The moment you knew Sam would manage it.
Something Sam put up with on the way.
A thing about Sam that made this no surprise.
The part of this that was all Sam's own doing.
Something you hope Sam will stop and enjoy.

The moment you knew you had a proper friend in Sam.
Something Sam did that only a friend would.
A thing you still laugh about together.
The time Sam turned up when it mattered.
Something Sam knew about you before you said it.

Something Sam did for the family that went unsaid.
A habit of Sam's that you have caught yourself copying.
A memory of Sam from when you were younger.
Something Sam put up with from you.
Something Sam taught you, mostly by example.

A small thing Sam did that you noticed and never mentioned.
The moment you knew.
Something Sam did this year that made things easier for you.
A thing about Sam you would not change.
Something Sam carried that was yours to carry.

The thing you go to Sam for.
Something you picked up from working beside Sam.
A bad day at work that Sam turned round.
Something a new starter should be told about Sam.
Something Sam did that made the job feel worth doing.

Or write without one.

New job card messages

Pick one, put the job in it, and sign.

Short

New job. Same you. They are lucky.
Good luck on Monday. You will not need it.
Congratulations. Go and be brilliant somewhere new.
They chose well. Enjoy the first week.
Well done on the new job. First round is on you.
Good luck in the new job. Ring me after day one.

For a friend

You talked about this job for a year and then went and got it. I am very proud of you.
Congratulations on the new job. I expect a full report on the coffee and the people, in that order.
New job, new commute, same group chat. Good luck, and tell us everything.
You deserved better than the last place and now you have it. Well done.
Good luck in the new job. If it is awful, we will drink about it. If it is great, we will drink about that too.
They interviewed a lot of people and picked you. Remember that on the first hard day.

For a partner

I watched you prepare for this for months. Nobody has earned a first day more. I love you.
New job. I will have dinner on the table Monday and I will want every detail.
You were nervous for weeks and you did it anyway. That is the whole of why they hired you.
Congratulations, love. Go and show them what I already know.
First day tomorrow. Your shirt is ironed and I am proud of you.

For a son or daughter

Your first proper job. We are prouder than we are letting on, which is very.
Congratulations on the new job. Ring your mother on the first day, and then ring me.
You did this yourself, from the application to the offer. Well done, from both of us.
New job, new city. Come home when you can and call when you cannot.
We remember the first interview you did not get. This one you did. Very well done.

For a colleague moving on

Congratulations on the new job. They have no idea how good you are yet. They will.
Good luck in the new place. The bar for your replacement is unfairly high.
Well done on the move. Take the good habits, leave the meetings.
New job, well deserved. Do not forget who taught you the shortcut on the expenses form.
Congratulations. Send us the address so we know where to send the work you left.

Funny

Congratulations on the new job. Try to make the first mistake a small one.
New job. Please learn everybody's name before you learn the Wi-Fi password.
Good luck. Remember, nobody knows what they are doing in the first month, and some never do.
Congratulations. You are now the new person who does not know where the mugs are.
New job, new pretend confidence. You have this.

What to leave out

Do not mention the money, the old boss, or how long they were looking. They know all three.

Do not give advice about the first week unless they asked for it. A card is for saying well done, not for a plan.

If the job is a step down, or a move they did not want, say you are glad they have somewhere and stop. They will tell you the rest when they are ready.

One card from everyone

Friends, family, the old team. One link, and it opens on the first day.

01
Add the date.
Their first day. The card opens that morning and not before.
02
Choose who to ask.
Everyone who wants to say good luck. Each gets one link and writes once, in a browser.
03
Everyone writes their own words.
Signed with their name. They read it on the way in and keep it.

Create a card

Questions

What do you write in a new job card?

That you are pleased for them, one thing they did to get the job, and good luck for the first week. Three sentences. The specific thing is what makes it theirs.

Do you say congratulations or good luck for a new job?

Congratulations for getting it, good luck for starting it. A card usually says both, and it reads better if one of them is specific to the job.

Is it odd to give a card for a new job?

No. A new job is one of the few changes that people do not get a card for by habit, so the one they get is remembered.

When should the card arrive?

The weekend before the first day, or on the morning itself. After the first week it reads as an afterthought, so if you have missed it, send a message instead.

Part of group congratulations card.

More guides

Somebody has a day coming up.