Onboarding · Reference Checklist
The Checklist We Run Between Offer and Day One
Nothing slips between offer acceptance and a new hire’s first day. Worth keeping on hand for every new starter, even if this one is further off.
Confirm the start date in writing with the candidate and their manager.
Prepare equipment, system access, and any accounts needed on day one, ordered with enough lead time.
Assign a buddy or point of contact who isn’t the hiring manager, for informal questions.
Send a short welcome note covering what to expect on day one: time, place or login details, who they’ll meet, dress code if relevant.
Share anything that helps them arrive oriented: team structure, key contacts, first-week agenda if you have one.
Confirm payroll, super, and any compliance paperwork is ready to process from day one, not chased afterwards.
A short check-in at the end of day one and end of week one — informal, just to surface anything unclear early.
Introductions to the wider team, not just the immediate manager.
Clear, achievable first-week goals so the new hire has an early sense of progress.
Keep this one on hand. It earns its place for every new starter, not just this hire.