Great onboarding can make or break a remote hire. Here's the checklist we recommend to every company we work with.
Before Day 1
Tech Setup
Laptop shipped and tracking shared
All accounts created (email, Slack, tools)
Welcome package sent (swag, handbook)
Calendar invites for first week sent
Team Prep
Announce new hire to team
Assign onboarding buddy
Schedule intro meetings with key collaborators
Prepare 30-60-90 day plan
Day 1
Morning
Welcome video call with manager
IT troubleshooting session
Company overview presentation
Org chart walkthrough
Afternoon
Team introduction call
Onboarding buddy coffee chat
First task assignment
End-of-day check-in
Week 1
Complete all compliance training
Shadow key meetings
1:1 with skip-level manager
Document questions and blockers
Friday reflection with manager
Month 1
Complete first meaningful project
Meet with all key stakeholders
Understand team OKRs/goals
Give feedback on onboarding process
30-day formal check-in
Months 2-3
Take ownership of a recurring responsibility
Contribute to team documentation
Attend (or host) a team social event
60-day and 90-day check-ins
Transition from onboarding to normal operation
Pro Tips
1.Overcommunicate early. New hires don't know what they don't know.
2.Make documentation discoverable. A great handbook nobody reads is useless.
3.Celebrate small wins. Remote workers need more explicit recognition.
4.Gather feedback. Improve onboarding continuously.
The first 90 days set the trajectory for the entire employment relationship. Invest accordingly.
Written by
Aaron Klein
Founder & CEO, RealHires
Perspectives on building remote teams and finding the people who move your business forward.
