Starting a new job is a big deal. Most people get one generic "congrats on the new role!" card from a colleague and nothing else. If you want yours to stand out - because it's your partner, your sibling, your best friend, someone who earned this - you need something that actually names what they've pulled off.
Why the shop card falls flat
"Congratulations on your new job" is the blandest sentence in the English language. It gives no credit to the graft. New jobs aren't lottery wins - they come after months of interviews, rejected applications, nervous energy and usually a few humiliating LinkedIn moments. A card that says "congrats" is a card that says "I didn't notice any of that."
Messages that actually celebrate it
For someone who's changed careers
"It's one thing to climb the ladder you're already on. It's another to pick a new ladder entirely. Proud of you."
For someone promoted
"They figured out what the rest of us have known for years. Well earned."
For a first job
"Your first real wage is about to hit your account. Please don't spend it all on Ubers. Proud of you."
For someone leaving a job they hated
"You endured that place longer than anyone should have. The next one is going to be lucky."
For a big-deal move
"A year ago you were in your kitchen rewriting your CV for the tenth time. Look at you now."
For someone moving to your industry
"Welcome. It's mostly nonsense but the people are good."
What to skip
- "You'll smash it!" - sounds nice, lands flat.
- "Onwards and upwards" - please, no.
- Anything about "not letting them down" - they're already anxious, don't add to it.
- Too much about pay. Even close friends don't always want the salary referenced.
Card ideas for a new job
1. The "first day" card
A stylised scene of them walking into the new office, or logging on for day one. "[Photo] walking into a modern office, cinematic morning light, storybook style." Feels cinematic, looks framed.
2. The "imposter syndrome antidote" card
A storybook image of them as confidently themselves - lab coat, briefcase, toolbelt, whatever fits the job. "[Photo] as a [new role], confident pose, watercolour." Hang it on the fridge for the first tough week.
3. The leaving-job card
If they're moving on from a team, a personalised AI card signed by everyone is miles better than the supermarket leaving card. Photo of the team reworked as an illustration, written messages from each person.
4. The video card from the family
A short video card from partners, kids, parents - whoever couldn't be there. Plays on a phone at lunch on day one. Cheesy, effective, always kept.
5. The "future self" card
A picture of them 5 years into the new role, at the next promotion, or at the thing this job unlocks. Funny way of naming a real ambition.
What to write when it's a senior role
Senior promotions deserve weight, not jokes. Keep it clean: name the quality that got them here (resilience, judgement, care), thank them for something specific you learned from them, wish them well. Short and real.
How to make the card
Upload a photo, describe a scene, pick a style. Image cards from £0.99, video cards from £2.49. Works on any phone, no account needed from the recipient. Two minutes, job done, better than the office card.
One more thing
If the person reading this is you - congratulations. Not for the card you're writing, but for noticing that the moment deserved something better than a supermarket one. That matters.