3 ways to say congratulations on a new job

Welcoming a new member to your team? Or perhaps a colleague is being promoted to a new position. Sending warm wishes is a great way to strengthen relationships at work and in your wider professional network.

Whether you send a short email or leave a note on their desk, writing a personal congratulations can go a long way in building connections with colleagues. In this article, we explore the importance of wishing someone well, and tips for writing a congratulations message for a new job.  

The importance of congratulating a colleague on a new job

Sending a congratulations message for a new job is an easy way to encourage your colleagues and make any new joiners feel welcome in the team. It’s a fairly small gesture that can mean a lot, for a number of reasons: 

1. It builds and strengthens relationships

Saying congratulations to someone who’s just landed a new job is a great way to strengthen your connection with them. Offering your well wishes shows genuine happiness in their success, and helps build a trusting and supportive workplace culture. Congratulating the people in your professional circle on new roles or promotions is an easy way to keep your networking connections alive and show that you’re a thoughtful and empathetic person.

There are a number of instances when you could send a message of congratulations for a new role. This includes:

• A colleague getting a promotion
• A new person joining your team 
• A friend making a career change 
• A manager moving into a higher leadership position

Even other work-related achievements like awards and certifications can warrant some kind of professional acknowledgement.  

2. Encouragement and positive reinforcement

Starting a new role or at a new organisation can make anyone feel nervous. When someone starts a new job, wishes of congratulations can help boost their confidence and encourage them while they settle in. 

Offering congratulations can act as a form of positive reinforcement by acknowledging the person’s skills and achievements. If they’re joining your team, you could tell them they’ll be a great addition and that you’re looking forward to working with them. Making a new joiner feel welcome and supported helps them settle into their new environment faster.

Congratulatory messages contribute to a positive work environment, which benefits everyone on the team. Celebrating successes and achievements helps foster a culture of appreciation, where people feel valued and recognised – including you. 

How to write a personalised congratulatory message 

Whether for a new team member or someone moving onto another organisation, a congratulatory message should be personalised. Here are some tips for creating a personalised message to share your best wishes. 

1. Select the right communication channel 

It’s important to send your message through the appropriate channel, whether that be email, text or a handwritten note. Some options to consider include: 

• A card
• An email
• A post or private message on social media 
• A phone call
• A face-to-face conversation

Consider how well you know the recipient and the nature of your relationship before choosing a medium that suits. For example, an email might be the most appropriate option for a professional acquaintance. However, if you know the person well, then you might prefer to send a handwritten card or take them to lunch on your break.

2. Tailor the message to the recipient 

Once you’ve picked your communication channel, it’s time to write a message that resonates with the recipient. 

• Start with a greeting that addresses them by name.
• Share your congratulations. For example, Congratulations on your new job, Best wishes at your new company, Congrats on joining the team!
• Next, mention their accomplishments and congratulate them on their new role. 
• Finish by reiterating your best wishes.
• Optionally, add a friendly closing remark that reflects your relationship with them.

For example:

Dear Ivan, congrats on the new role! You’ve made such a difference here, it was only a matter of time until you got a promotion. You’ll be great in the new position—I hope you’ll still have time to join your old team for lunch sometimes.

Consider the recipient’s professional background, their new role and any personal anecdotes that you could draw on to make your congratulations more sincere. In your message, you could acknowledge specific challenges the recipient overcame or the milestones they achieved to secure their new job. The aim is to write a message that feels personalised and shows genuine investment in their journey.

3. Add warmth and sincerity

Your congratulations message should be warm and sincere, without going overboard. A few sentences is more than enough to express your excitement and congratulate the recipient. You should also be mindful of your language. Saying you’re so lucky to get this role, may sound nice on the surface, but can be taken as an insult. Sometimes it’s best to keep it short and sweet, with something as simple as I heard about the new job—congratulations!

To add warmth, and if you know the person farily well, you can add a personal touch with a fond memory of your time working together, or highlight something you admire in them. 

For example:

Congratulations on the new job! It’s so exciting but I’ll miss your ability to streamline everything—not to mention your positive vibes every day!

3. Balance professionalism with a personal touch

It’s important to strike the right balance between professional yet personal in your congratulatory message. Use your relationship with the recipient to help guide you when writing an appropriate message. 

Regardless of whether you’re sending a casual congratulations to a friend or a more formal congratulatory email to your manager, maintain a level of politeness and respect while expressing genuine enthusiasm and happiness.  

3 ways to say congratulations on your new job

Are you looking for a bit of inspiration to help you create a good luck message for a new job? Here are a few examples you can use to help you write your own message. 

1. Congratulations message for a new team member

Congratulating a new member and welcoming them to the team gives them a great first impression of their new company and colleagues. A short congrats note can go a long way to helping them feel like part of the team. 

For example:

Dear [team member’s name],

Congratulations on the new position, I’m so excited to have you on the team! I look forward to getting to know you and working together. 

2. Congratulations message example for co-worker 

Whether your co-worker has just landed a promotion in the same department or is moving to another organisation, a short congratulations message helps maintain a friendly relationship with them. 

For example:

Dear [co-worker’s name],

Congratulations on your new role! Your hard work has paid off, and I couldn't be happier for you. Wishing you all the best and continued success in this exciting new chapter of your career. Good luck on your new job.

3. Congratulations message example for managers and supervisors 

A manager or supervisor moving to another organisation can be a big change for both them and you. Here’s how to say congratulations: 

Dear [manager’s name],

Congratulations on your new position. Thank you for your support during our time working together. I’ve learnt so much from you as a leader. All the best for your new job.

Tips when writing a congratulatory message

There are a few things you’ll want to keep in mind when creating a congratulations message. Here are some things to do and some things to avoid. 

1. Do respect personal boundaries

When wishing someone congratulations on a new job, it’s important to respect any boundaries and ensure your message doesn’t accidentally offend or overstep. It’s often best to avoid enquiring about personal details regarding their new role, including their salary and benefits, especially if they haven’t shared it publically. 

2. Do personalise your congratulations

When it comes to writing heartfelt congratulations for someone you know, balance clichés and popular expressions with a personal touch. It’s hard to avoid generic messages, but they can make your well wishes seem insincere if you go overboard. Try to tailor your message to the recipient to make it more meaningful and memorable. 

Reflect on the time you’ve spent together and the experiences you’ve shared. By drawing on your experiences together, you’ll be able to include an anecdote or reference that expresses genuine sentiments and speaks from the heart. 

3. Be mindful of tone and context

When writing a congratulatory message, be mindful of the tone of your message. Be sure to adjust your language to fit the specific recipient. This can mean being more formal for colleagues you don’t know well or for a manager moving onto a new organisation. 

4. Avoid comparisons 

When a colleague secures a new position, avoid comparing their new job with your current workplace in your congratulations message. It might negatively affect morale for teammates you still work with and could be shared with management. Instead, express your happiness for their new role and focus on the positives. 

Wishing someone good luck for a new job is a simple gesture that can have a big impact. Acknowledging and celebrating professional milestones plays a role in creating a culture of support and appreciation and is a great way to build or strengthen professional relationships with the people in your network.

FAQ 

How can I personalise a congratulatory message for someone’s new job to make it more meaningful?

There are several approaches you can take to personalise your message to make it more meaningful for the recipient: 

1. Take the time to reflect on their specific achievements and mention them in the message. 
2. Include personal touches, like anecdotes, inside jokes or a shared memory to make the message more meaningful. 
3. Mention their career goals and professional development. 

What are some appropriate and professional ways to congratulate a colleague on a new job?

There are many different professional ways to congratulate a colleague. This includes: 

• Sending a congratulatory email 
• Congratulating your colleague in person
• Giving them a small gift to mark their new role
• Writing in a shared card from the team
• Messaging them on social media

Whichever one you choose, maintain a professional tone while expressing your genuine happiness for their achievement.

Is it suitable to post a congratulatory message on social media for a friend’s new job?

Posting a congratulatory message on social media can be a great way to show your support and celebrate your friend’s success with a wider audience. However, it’s important to keep your message considerate and respectful. In some cases, it can be worth considering if it would be more appropriate to share a private congratulations, by giving them a call, sending them a direct message, or  sending them an email. If they haven’t announced it on social media themselves, they might not want everyone in their network to know. 

What should I consider when choosing a congratulatory gift for someone starting a new job?

When it comes to choosing a congratulatory gift, it's important to pick something thoughtful and appropriate to your level of closeness. You might want to select a gift that will be practical and useful in their new role, like a professional planner. Alternatively, you can choose a gift that’s more celebratory in nature. A box of chocolates or a gift basket are often good choices for celebrating someone’s accomplishments.

Are there any cultural considerations to keep in mind when congratulating someone on their new job?

It’s always a good idea to consider different cultural considerations when congratulating someone on their new job. Different cultures can have different norms and expectations surrounding celebrations and the types of gifts that are appropriate, so it’s important to take these into account.