It’s Monday morning. You’re sipping a coffee, scrolling through LinkedIn or checking your email as you prepare to start your day. Suddenly, you see it: one of your colleagues shared a new job or promotion announcement with the office.
Your reaction to this news will vary. You might be proud of your colleague’s achievement, disappointed you didn’t get the promotion, or relieved to have one less difficult coworker in the office. Regardless of your personal feelings, your next step is to say, “Congratulations on your new job.”
Naturally, though, your peer will likely receive an influx of identical-sounding sentiments. So, how do you get your message to stand out? Let’s explore how to recognize your coworker’s success warmly and professionally.
Why congratulate your coworkers on new jobs?
You’re not expressly obligated to congratulate someone on a promotion or new job. But offering your colleague a simple commendation is a nice thing to do — and it can benefit you and your company.
Saying “congrats” is a great way to strengthen and maintain your workplace relationships. Telling a colleague you’re excited for them and wishing them luck in their new chapter creates a positive and memorable impression — which can come in handy when networking in the future. And these kinds of connections are incredibly valuable: up to 80% of jobs are filled through networking.
In the same vein, congratulating an outgoing coworker can boost employee morale. Like those holiday messages and birthday wishes you share around the office each year, a celebratory note goes a long way toward creating a positive atmosphere — other team members will notice. Since a positive work environment can increase productivity and creativity, it’s wise to wish your outgoing coworkers “good luck” for the new journey ahead.
When might you congratulate your coworkers?
You should congratulate your peers on any career development, from a new role to a professional anniversary. This rule goes double for managers and team leaders, as offering congratulations is a great way to recognize your employees’ hard work, which will, in turn, inspire and motivate them.
Be sure to offer sincere congratulations when anyone in your office:
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Reaches a work anniversary
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Moves to a new department
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Earns a promotion
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Starts a new job with a new company
How to congratulate someone on a new job
Let’s say someone on your team is moving to a new workplace. You want to congratulate them before they leave, but are unsure how to go about it.
Extend your congratulations in a way that’s comfortable for you and your coworker. Try one of the following methods:
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A greeting card: If a coworker is moving jobs (or even switching departments), you might pick up a “Congratulations on your new job” card for you and your colleagues to sign. You can share your excitement and admiration through your written message — just remember to leave some signing space for everyone else.
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LinkedIn comments or messages: When someone lands their dream job, they’ll likely update their LinkedIn profile to reflect the upcoming transition. The resulting post is a great place to extend your well wishes. You could also message your colleague directly if you’d like to share a private congratulations on the platform.
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Email: Your coworker may email the team to alert everyone of their promotion. Reply to the goodbye email with your congratulatory message — just ensure you follow proper email etiquette and think twice before hitting “reply all.”
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Face-to-face: Sometimes, the best way to congratulate a colleague is to do it in person. Face-to-face communication is vital to office life — and, more broadly, the human experience — so don’t discredit the power of saying “congrats” in the break room or at an office party.
40 messages that say, “Congratulations on your new job”
Figuring out how to congratulate someone on a new job is all about finding the right words and tone. Your message should be upbeat and celebratory, but it should also be professional. Here are a few messages you can use to inspire your next congratulations:
Good luck messages
One of the most thoughtful congratulatory messages you can share with a coworker is a simple “Good luck” for the future. Here are a few of our favorite good luck messages for your colleague, manager, or office bestie:
For a friend:
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With skills like yours, you don’t need luck — but good luck in your new job, anyway!
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Congratulations on the new job! You deserve it, and I know you’ll excel in your new role from the very first day.
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You’re amazing. I’ve always admired your work ethic and I know you’ll do incredible stuff at [new company]. Good luck!
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I know you’ll be successful wherever you go. Best wishes for this new career opportunity.
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Congratulations on this next step in your career. I can’t wait to celebrate with you and hear all about it!
For a colleague:
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Congrats on this new phase in your career and all the opportunities that come with it. Good luck!
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You’re a great fit for this new position. Congratulations, and good luck with this exciting chapter.
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Wishing you all the best on your new job journey!
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I know you’ll do just as wonderfully in your new role as you have on our team. Congrats!
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Working beside you these past years has been wonderful. Good luck with your new adventure!
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Congratulations on taking the next big step in your career. Best wishes for your time at [new company] — they’re lucky to have you.
For a manager:
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Thank you for being such a great leader for our team, and congratulations on your success. Here’s to you!
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Good luck in your new position. I know your new team is going to love you.
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Best wishes for this exciting new job! We’ll always remember you as a great boss.
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It’s exciting and inspiring to see you achieve your goals — good luck!
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Congratulations on this new opportunity, and thank you for your leadership and guidance these past years. Wishing you all the best!
Funny messages
They say laughter is the best medicine, so why not share a little humor when your favorite coworker changes jobs?
If you want your colleague to leave in stitches, we have a few funny congratulations messages you can use. (We don’t recommend these messages for your boss, though — keep it 100% professional there.)
For a friend:
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Congratulations — fancy new job, fancy new parking spot! Here’s to you.
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Glad to see that resume of yours get some new life! In all seriousness, you are so deserving of this new opportunity. Congrats.
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Hope the new office has great coffee — I know you need a strong cup to kick off your day. Congrats on your new position!
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Finally, a new deskmate. Just kidding — and congrats! I’ll miss you loads.
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Don’t let your new job be an excuse for missing our lunch dates. Congratulations!
For a colleague:
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Congrats on the new job! Hope your new colleagues are as cool (and quirky) as us.
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Congratulations on your promotion! Next stop: CEO.
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Your new company has no idea they won the lottery by hiring you. Congratulations!
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Crossing my fingers that this new role comes with better coffee! Cheers to you and your success.
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So, who gets dibs on your desk? Just kidding! Seriously, congratulations — you deserve it.
Inspirational quotes
If you’re unsure how to say “congrats” in your own words, using an inspirational saying is a nice touch. Try adding one of these quotes to your message:
For a friend:
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“There are many things in life that will catch your eye, but only a few will catch your heart. Pursue these.” — Michael Nolan
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“Go confidently in the direction of your dreams!” — Henry David Thoreau
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“Find a job you like, and you add five days to every week.” — H. Jackson Brown, Jr.
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“The best time for new beginnings is now.” — Unknown
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“Find out what you like doing best, and get someone to pay you for doing it.”— Katharine Whitehorn
For a colleague:
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“Your talent determines what you can do. Your motivation determines how much you are willing to do. Your attitude determines how well you do it.” — Lou Holtz
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“The only way to do great work is to love what you do.” — Steve Jobs
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“A new job is like a blank book, and you are the author.” — Unknown
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“To find joy in work is to discover the fountain of youth.” — Pearl S. Buck
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“It’s simple arithmetic: your income can grow only to the extent that you do.” — T. Harv Eke
For a manager:
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“When we strive to be better than we are, everything around us becomes better too.” — Paulo Coelho
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“Far and away, the best prize that life has to offer is the chance to work hard at work worth doing.” — Theodore Roosevelt
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“Celebrate endings, for they precede new beginnings.” — Johnathan Lockwood Huie
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“A new job is not a new beginning. It is a path to create a new ending.” — Unknown
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“Opportunities don't happen, you create them.” — Chris Grosser
Final tips for a memorable farewell
Telling a coworker, “Congratulations on your new job,” can be bittersweet, but it’s an essential part of office life.
Remember to be kind, cheerful, and authentic in your farewell message. Your colleague will remember this meaningful interaction — and you always want to leave someone with a positive memory of you.
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