There’s nothing like making a great first impression. When you walk into a new job on the first day, you want your coworkers—and most importantly, your boss—to know just how friendly and enthusiastic you are.
You probably already showed off these qualities during your interviews and when you accepted the job, but you can also communicate these sentiments in an email to your new boss right before you start the job.
You’re probably writing goodbye emails to your previous coworkers, planning your first-day outfit, researching your commute, and doing all the night-before things on this checklist, so add this quick email to your to-dos as you transition from one job to another.
Taking a few minutes to send a simple email to your future boss will ensure you’re prepared and help cement a great impression as a proactive go-getter before you even walk through the door.
“It’s a chance to reestablish your commitment and excitement and reaffirm that you made the right choice,” says Muse career coach Leto Papadopoulos. You’re telling them, “I can’t wait to be there, and this is the job I want.”
What should your email actually say? It should express your gratitude, show your excitement, confirm your start date, find out what you can do to prepare for a successful first day, and ask any lingering questions. Try something like this:
Sample emails to send your new boss before you start
Sample email No. 1:
Hi [Boss’s Name],
I’m so excited to be joining [Company] in [Number of Weeks/Days] and can’t wait to start working with you and the team. Is there anything I can read or do ahead of time that would help me hit the ground running?
Have a great rest of the week and see you on the [Date]!
[Your Name]
Sample email No. 2:
Hi [Boss’s Name]:
I’m looking forward to joining the [Company] team on [Date]! I can’t wait to meet the whole team and dive into my role.
I appreciate you sending me some background information about the company’s history. It provided helpful insight into understanding your mission. Is there anything else I should be reading to help me prepare for my new role?
I was also wondering where I should park on the first day. It looks like there’s a parking garage across the street. Is it OK to park there?
Thank you and have a great rest of the week. See you soon!
[Your Name]
Sample email No. 3:
Hi [Boss’s Name]:
I’m so excited to meet the team and get started in my role as [Role]. Just to confirm, my first day is [Date], and I should be there by [Time].
I know the first day will be focused on getting acquainted with the company and my new coworkers. Is there anything I can do beforehand to prepare? Are there specific documents or other information that I should bring to streamline the onboarding process?
Thanks again for this opportunity! See you on [Date], and I hope you have a great day.
[Your Name]
Sample email No. 4:
Hi [Boss’s Name]:
I’m looking forward to starting at [Company] on [Date]. I’ve always wanted to work for an organization with such a strong sustainability mission, and I can’t wait to contribute to the impact you make.
I’ve completed the new employee checklist and onboarding paperwork that you sent me, and I will bring that on the first day. Is there anything else that I can do to prepare in advance?
Thanks again for this exciting opportunity. I hope you have a great day—and, see you soon!
[Your Name]
If there’s a skill or program you know will be a major part of the job—and you don’t have much prior experience with it—Papadopoulos says you can mention it in your email and ask your new boss if there’s a website or other resource they’d recommend you review to get acquainted or brush up.
The bottom line
You can of course tweak these templates to sound more like you, or to fit with the company’s culture and level of formality. In general, you should use the same excited and friendly tone you did when you accepted the offer, while keeping it professional, according to Tanaz Mody, Head of People Operations for venture capital firm Lerer Hippeau.
“The timing of this email is also key to setting the tone,” Mody says. In other words, don't send this email on a Friday afternoon before a Monday start date. She says that would be even worse than not sending an email at all, “setting the stage that you don’t plan in advance.”
Mody and Papadopoulos both agree on the biggest catch: If you send this email and your soon-to-be boss replies with something for you to read or do, make sure you follow through! That means keeping an eye on your inbox, responding if needed, and reading or doing whatever they suggest. Otherwise “You’re just going to look like a joke,” Papadopoulos says.
And while you don’t have to send a note like this—Papadopoulos adds that it matters more what you do when you actually show up—it is a great way to demonstrate initiative and that you’re excited about your new role and what you can contribute.
Erica Sweeney contributed to the updated version of this article.