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

Claude Does	You Decide
Structures onboarding phases	Timeline flexibility
Creates milestone checklists	Resource availability
Suggests activities	Buddy assignments
Identifies success metrics	Performance standards
Drafts welcome materials	Cultural elements

Instructions

Step 1: Define Onboarding Goals

Core Objectives:

Objective	Measure	Target
Productivity	Time to first contribution	30 days
Engagement	Pulse survey score	4+/5
Retention	90-day retention	95%+
Culture	Manager satisfaction	4+/5
Compliance	Training completion	100%

Step 2: Design Phase Structure

30-60-90 Framework:

Phase	Days	Focus	Outcome
Absorb	1-30	Learn, observe, connect	Understands role
Adapt	31-60	Apply, contribute, ask	Making contributions
Accelerate	61-90	Own, improve, lead	Fully productive

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:

Category	Contents
Company	Vision, values, org chart
Role	JD, expectations, success criteria
Tools	System access, tutorials
People	Team bios, stakeholder map
Culture	Norms, rituals, communication

Step 5: Measure Success

Checkpoint Assessments:

Day	Assessment	Owner
7	First week check-in	Manager
14	Buddy feedback	Buddy
30	30-day review	Manager
60	Progress assessment	Manager
90	Performance review	Manager + HR

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