Starting a job

Step 1 – Take stock

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How long is the gap between starting work and receiving your salary? Obviously this will depend on whether you're going to be paid weekly or monthly, but either way you will probably need to pay for fares, lunches and maybe even a new suit – all expenses you may not have had previously. Use our Budget calculator to help you work out your finances.
If you haven't got enough money to cover these it might be worthwhile checking if your new employer could help by giving you an advance on your salary, or you could arrange a temporary overdraft with your bank to cover you over this period.
If you don't have a bank account, now is a good time to think about opening one. If you're concerned about going overdrawn or don't have a good credit history you could apply to open a basic bank account. For more information see Bank accounts.
Also check whether you're still entitled to any State benefits you're currently getting, or indeed whether you will be entitled to any because you are going to be working, for example tax credits. For more information visit Directgov.
If you have been out of work for a while and have not been paying National Insurance contributions, this may affect your right to a State pension. If this is the case, you may want to consider making extra contributions when you start work. For more information visit Directgov.

Make sure you can cover any expenses you'll incur before you get your first pay cheque.
Open a bank account, if you need one.
Check whether you're still entitled to your current State benefits when you start work.

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