Onboarding Guide

Create structured onboarding programs that accelerate new hire productivity through clear milestones, organized resources, and measurable outcomes.

When to Use This Skill

• Designing company onboarding
• Creating role-specific plans
• Building onboarding checklists
• Measuring onboarding effectiveness
• Improving time-to-productivity

Methodology Foundation

Based on Gallup Q12 engagement research and BambooHR onboarding studies, combining:

• 30-60-90 day frameworks
• Milestone-based progression
• Social integration focus
• Measurable competency gates

What Claude Does vs What You Decide

Instructions

Step 1: Define Onboarding Goals

Core Objectives:

Step 2: Design Phase Structure

30-60-90 Framework:

Step 3: Create Milestone Checklists

Checklist Categories:

1. Administrative setup
2. Tools and systems
3. People and relationships
4. Role-specific training
5. Cultural integration

Step 4: Build Resource Library

Resource Organization:

Step 5: Measure Success

Checkpoint Assessments:

Examples

Example 1: Complete 30-60-90 Onboarding Plan

Input:

Create onboarding plan for:
- Role: Marketing Manager
- Team: 3 marketers, reports to VP Marketing
- Key tools: HubSpot, Google Analytics, Figma
- First project: Q2 campaign planning

Output:

## 30-60-90 Onboarding Plan: Marketing Manager

### Role Overview

| Element | Detail |
|---------|--------|
| Title | Marketing Manager |
| Reports To | VP Marketing |
| Team | 3 direct reports |
| Start Date | [Date] |
| Buddy | [Senior Marketing Manager] |

---

## Pre-Start Checklist (Before Day 1)

**IT/Admin:**
- [ ] Email account created
- [ ] Laptop ordered and configured
- [ ] Building access/badge
- [ ] HubSpot seat provisioned
- [ ] Google Analytics access
- [ ] Figma seat added
- [ ] Slack workspace invite

**Manager Prep:**
- [ ] First week calendar blocked
- [ ] Buddy assigned and briefed
- [ ] Welcome message drafted
- [ ] Desk/workspace ready
- [ ] Team notified of start date

---

## Phase 1: ABSORB (Days 1-30)

### Goal
Understand the company, team, and role fundamentals

### Week 1: Orientation

**Day 1 - Welcome**
| Time | Activity | Owner |
|------|----------|-------|
| 9:00 | Welcome from manager | VP Marketing |
| 9:30 | IT setup and security training | IT |
| 10:30 | Office tour | Buddy |
| 11:00 | HR paperwork and benefits | HR |
| 12:00 | Team lunch | Team |
| 1:30 | Company overview presentation | VP Marketing |
| 3:00 | Tool access verification | Self |
| 4:00 | First 1:1 with manager | VP Marketing |

**Day 2-3 - Company Deep Dive**
- [ ] Complete company history module
- [ ] Review brand guidelines
- [ ] Read last 2 quarterly reports
- [ ] Watch CEO all-hands recording
- [ ] Review competitor landscape doc

**Day 4-5 - Marketing Team Orientation**
- [ ] 1:1 with each team member (3 × 30 min)
- [ ] Review team OKRs and metrics
- [ ] Understand current campaigns
- [ ] Access marketing dashboards
- [ ] Review content calendar

### Week 2: Systems and Stakeholders

**Tools Training:**
- [ ] HubSpot certification (8 hours)
- [ ] Google Analytics walkthrough
- [ ] Figma basics tutorial
- [ ] Internal wiki navigation

**Stakeholder Meetings:**
| Person | Role | Purpose |
|--------|------|---------|
| Head of Sales | Revenue partner | Understand MQL handoff |
| Product Manager | Product launches | Align on roadmap |
| Customer Success | Customer voice | Understand retention |
| Finance | Budget partner | Understand process |

### Week 3-4: Role Immersion

**Activities:**
- [ ] Shadow team members on key tasks
- [ ] Review past 6 months of campaigns
- [ ] Analyze top-performing content
- [ ] Understand lead scoring model
- [ ] Map customer journey documentation

**Deliverable:** Present "30-Day Observations" to VP Marketing
- What I've learned
- Questions I have
- Initial opportunities I see

---

### Phase 1 Milestones

| Milestone | Due | Status |
|-----------|-----|--------|
| All system access working | Day 3 | [ ] |
| Completed company training | Day 5 | [ ] |
| Met all key stakeholders | Day 14 | [ ] |
| HubSpot certification | Day 21 | [ ] |
| 30-day presentation | Day 30 | [ ] |

### Phase 1 Success Criteria

| Criterion | Measure | Target |
|-----------|---------|--------|
| System proficiency | Can navigate independently | Yes/No |
| Team relationships | Buddy rating | 4+/5 |
| Company knowledge | Quiz score | 80%+ |
| Engagement | Pulse check | Positive |

---

## Phase 2: ADAPT (Days 31-60)

### Goal
Start contributing and take ownership of initial responsibilities

### Responsibilities Ramp

**Week 5-6: Supporting Role**
- [ ] Co-lead weekly marketing meeting
- [ ] Review and approve team content
- [ ] Begin 1:1s with direct reports
- [ ] Contribute to campaign ideation

**Week 7-8: Primary Ownership**
- [ ] Lead weekly marketing meeting
- [ ] Own content calendar decisions
- [ ] First budget planning input
- [ ] Draft Q2 campaign strategy

### Key Activities

**Campaign Planning:**
- [ ] Analyze Q1 campaign performance
- [ ] Interview Sales on lead quality
- [ ] Research competitor Q2 activities
- [ ] Draft Q2 campaign brief

**Team Management:**
- [ ] Establish 1:1 cadence with reports
- [ ] Complete first performance check-ins
- [ ] Identify team training needs

**Deliverable:** Q2 Campaign Proposal Presentation

---

### Phase 2 Milestones

| Milestone | Due | Status |
|-----------|-----|--------|
| First campaign contribution | Day 35 | [ ] |
| Leading weekly meeting | Day 42 | [ ] |
| Team 1:1 rhythm established | Day 45 | [ ] |
| Q2 campaign proposal | Day 60 | [ ] |

### Phase 2 Success Criteria

| Criterion | Measure | Target |
|-----------|---------|--------|
| Campaign contribution | VP approval | Yes |
| Team feedback | Skip-level pulse | 4+/5 |
| Independence | Manager assessment | 4+/5 |

---

## Phase 3: ACCELERATE (Days 61-90)

### Goal
Operate independently and drive impact

### Full Ownership

**Responsibilities:**
- [ ] Full ownership of Q2 campaign execution
- [ ] Team performance management
- [ ] Budget management ($X/quarter)
- [ ] Cross-functional project leadership
- [ ] Process improvement initiatives

### Key Activities

**Campaign Execution:**
- [ ] Launch Q2 campaign
- [ ] Establish reporting cadence
- [ ] First optimization cycle

**Strategic Contribution:**
- [ ] Participate in H2 planning
- [ ] Identify one process improvement
- [ ] Present results to leadership

**Deliverable:** 90-Day Impact Report
- Campaigns launched/contributed
- Metrics influenced
- Team development actions
- Recommendations for next 90 days

---

### Phase 3 Milestones

| Milestone | Due | Status |
|-----------|-----|--------|
| Q2 campaign launched | Day 70 | [ ] |
| First optimization cycle | Day 80 | [ ] |
| 90-day review completed | Day 90 | [ ] |

### Phase 3 Success Criteria

| Criterion | Measure | Target |
|-----------|---------|--------|
| Campaign performance | KPIs met | 80%+ |
| Team satisfaction | Survey | 4+/5 |
| Manager confidence | Assessment | Ready for full autonomy |

---

## Resources

### Company
- [ ] Employee handbook
- [ ] Org chart
- [ ] Company values document
- [ ] Strategic plan summary

### Marketing
- [ ] Brand guidelines
- [ ] Content style guide
- [ ] Campaign playbooks
- [ ] Competitor analysis

### Tools
- [ ] HubSpot training library
- [ ] GA4 course link
- [ ] Figma tutorials
- [ ] Internal wiki

### People
- [ ] Team bios and backgrounds
- [ ] Stakeholder map
- [ ] Slack channel guide
- [ ] Meeting cadence overview

Example 2: Quick First Week Schedule

Input:

Create a first week schedule for a new software engineer.

Output:

## First Week Schedule: Software Engineer

### Day 1 (Monday) - Welcome & Setup

| Time | Activity | Owner |
|------|----------|-------|
| 9:00 | Welcome, team intro | Manager |
| 9:30 | IT setup, equipment | IT |
| 10:30 | Security training | IT |
| 11:30 | Office tour | Buddy |
| 12:00 | Team lunch | Team |
| 1:00 | HR onboarding | HR |
| 2:30 | Dev environment setup | Buddy |
| 4:00 | End-of-day check-in | Manager |

### Day 2 (Tuesday) - Technical Orientation

| Time | Activity | Notes |
|------|----------|-------|
| 9:00 | Architecture overview | Senior Engineer |
| 10:30 | Codebase walkthrough | Buddy |
| 12:00 | Lunch | Self |
| 1:00 | CI/CD pipeline training | DevOps |
| 3:00 | First PR: Update README | Self + Buddy |
| 4:30 | Questions & wrap-up | Buddy |

### Day 3 (Wednesday) - Deep Dives

| Time | Activity | Notes |
|------|----------|-------|
| 9:00 | Product overview | Product Manager |
| 10:30 | Database schema review | DBA/Senior |
| 12:00 | Lunch with another team | Networking |
| 1:00 | Testing practices | QA Lead |
| 3:00 | Pair programming session | Buddy |
| 4:30 | Check-in | Manager |

### Day 4 (Thursday) - Stakeholders

| Time | Activity | Notes |
|------|----------|-------|
| 9:00 | Design team intro | UX Lead |
| 10:00 | Support team overview | Support Lead |
| 11:00 | Self-study: Documentation | Self |
| 12:00 | Skip-level lunch | Director |
| 1:30 | Pick first bug/ticket | Manager assigns |
| 4:00 | Work on first ticket | Self + Buddy available |

### Day 5 (Friday) - First Contribution

| Time | Activity | Notes |
|------|----------|-------|
| 9:00 | Continue first ticket | Self |
| 11:00 | Team standup | Observe |
| 12:00 | Team lunch (TGIF) | Team tradition |
| 1:30 | Complete first PR | Self |
| 3:00 | Code review feedback | Buddy |
| 4:00 | Week 1 retrospective | Manager |
| 4:30 | Plan for Week 2 | Manager |

### Week 1 Success Checklist

- [ ] All accounts and access working
- [ ] Can build and run locally
- [ ] Completed security training
- [ ] Met all immediate team members
- [ ] First PR merged
- [ ] Understands team processes
- [ ] Calendar has Week 2 blocked

Skill Boundaries

What This Skill Does Well

• Structuring onboarding phases
• Creating comprehensive checklists
• Organizing resources
• Setting success criteria

What This Skill Cannot Do

• Know company-specific systems
• Access internal resources
• Assess individual readiness
• Replace manager judgment

Iteration Guide

Follow-up Prompts:

• “Create the 30-day presentation template”
• “What questions should managers ask at check-ins?”
• “Design an onboarding feedback survey”
• “How should we handle remote onboarding?”

References

• BambooHR Onboarding Statistics
• Gallup Q12 Engagement Framework
• SHRM Onboarding Best Practices
• Google’s Noogler Experience

Related Skills

• resume-screener – Pre-hire assessment
• interview-scheduler – Hiring process
• employee-support – Ongoing support

Skill Metadata

• Domain: HR Operations
• Complexity: Intermediate
• Mode: cyborg
• Time to Value: 2-4 hours per role
• Prerequisites: Role requirements, company context