For most researchers, the time they spend as a postdoc stands out as one of challenge, but also enormous personal and professional growth. This Words of Advice is intended to guide the choice of postdoctoral position to help make the venture a success and to launch the first chapter of a happy and fulfilling professional life. The time spent as a ‘postdoc’ is challenging but holds enormous potential for personal and professional growth. Fresh from completing a doctorate, the newly minted scientist will spend a few years determining which field of science they will devote their career to. Here, we aim to guide the choice of postdoctoral position to help make the venture a success as the first chapter of a happy and fulfilling research career.