The offer stage
- Keep the job posting you applied to — it documents the promised role and pay range.
- Save the offer letter and any negotiation emails. If a recruiter promises something by phone, confirm it by email.
- Keep the final signed offer/contract, including bonus, equity, or relocation terms.
First-week paperwork
- Copies of everything you sign: handbook acknowledgement, NDA, non-compete, arbitration agreement, IP assignment.
- Benefits elections and beneficiary designations — and confirmations.
- Your W-4 as filed, and your employee ID / start date in writing.
In the full guide (3 more sections)
- 🔒 Ongoing, every year
- 🔒 If problems develop
- 🔒 Leaving a job
The complete edition — every section, updated as it improves — is in the Records Readiness Library.
Educational content, not legal/tax/medical advice — Service Boundaries.