It’s finally happened. You aced the interviews, waited with bated breath for the phone call, and now you have it: that good-paying job with benefits that puts you firmly on a career path. Maybe this is your first “real job” out of college; maybe this is a job you’ve finally managed to snag after months — or years — of unemployment or underemployment.

What do you do now?

1. Update your wardrobe

If your last job required you to wear an apron or a company polo, you probably don’t have the clothes you need to be successful in a better position. Whether your new job is in a casual office or a place that requires a suit and tie, it’s time to go on a shopping spree and update your wardrobe.

Make sure all of your clothing is in style and fits perfectly. After all: if you want that promotion in six months, you have to dress the part. Studies show that the better you present yourself, the more likely you are to advance in your career.

2. Fix your credit

If you just ended a long period of unemployment or underemployment, there’s a fair chance you have bad credit. Even if you’ve paid every credit card bill on time, simply using a large percentage of your available credit can make your credit score plummet. Read this article on fixing bad credit from Lexington Law to learn strategies to dig yourself out of a credit hole and set yourself up for a better-scoring future.

Even if you think you have good credit, Lexington Law notes that your credit report might have errors and mistakes on it that you’ll never know about until you request a credit report and start searching. Now that you have a good job, it’s time to examine your credit and get any problems taken care of.

3. Pamper yourself

After landing your dream job, you definitely deserve a bit of pampering! You have worked so hard, so it’s time to treat yourself. Here are a few ideas you can consider.

You could sign up for a relaxing yoga class to help you unwind. Or, if you’ve been eyeing that designer bag for a while, now might be the perfect time to splurge.

Another great option could be to enjoy a gourmet meal at a fancy restaurant that you couldn’t afford before. And, if you are looking to enhance your glow, why not indulge in a rejuvenating facial at a reputable esthetician clinic? Just search online for terms like “facial near me in Sugar Land, TX“, or elsewhere, to find a top-notch clinic that you prefer and arrange an appointment that fits your timetable.

Whatever you choose, it’s all about celebrating your success and giving yourself the care you deserve!

4. Start saving RIGHT AWAY

Yes, you’re probably tempted to use some of those hard-earned funds to take a vacation, move to a new neighborhood, or tackle some of those life dreams you’ve been long putting off.

Not yet.

First, you have to re-build your emergency fund. After all, if you’ve just fixed your credit, the last thing you want to do is be put in a position where you have to destroy it again.

As much as you probably want to imagine that the good times will last forever, the fact is that the average American will have five different careers over his or her lifetime. As you well know, each career change requires expensive education and sometimes comes with a period of unemployment. This means you need savings.

You also need an emergency fund just in case an actual emergency happens. Your car breaks down, you need a new dishwasher, etc. Having a large chunk of available cash on hand means you don’t have to pay credit card interest or take out a loan to fix your emergency problems.

How much do you need in savings? Ideally, enough to cover all of your day-to-day expenses for six months. Once you have that in the bank, you’re vastly ahead of your peers — 75% of Americans don’t have that kind of financial preparedness.

5. Think retirement

Congratulations, you’re hired! Now think about how you’re going to retire. If you thought 75% of Americans without enough savings was bad enough, consider that 90% percent of Americans — that is, nearly everybody — lack enough money to retire comfortably.

Always contribute the maximum to your 401(k) or retirement fund, especially if your employer gives you a company match. Then open additional retirement funds like a Roth IRA. You can never have too much money saved for retirement.

Take these four steps after getting that good job, and you’ll be well-prepared to tackle both your career and your financial future. Then you can start saving for that long-deserved Caribbean vacation!