Startup Onboarding: How to Set New Hires Up for Success

# Startup Onboarding: How to Set New Hires Up for Success

You've worked hard to hire great people. Now don't lose them in the first 90 days due to poor onboarding. Great onboarding accelerates productivity and dramatically improves retention.

Why Onboarding Matters

### The Stakes - 20% of turnover happens in the first 45 days - New hires with good onboarding are 58% more likely to stay 3+ years - Time to productivity varies 2-3x based on onboarding quality

### The Startup Challenge - Less process and documentation - Everyone is busy building - Roles are often undefined - Culture is still forming

Before Day One

### Administrative Prep - Equipment ordered and configured - Accounts and access ready - Workspace prepared (if in-office) - Welcome materials sent

### Team Prep - Manager has a 90-day plan ready - Onboarding buddy assigned - First week meetings scheduled - Team informed about new hire

The First Day

### Goals - Feel welcomed and expected - Basic setup complete - Meet immediate team - Understand first week plan

### Agenda - Welcome from founder or manager - HR basics (if applicable) - Tech setup and access - Lunch with team - First 1:1 with manager - Light reading or orientation materials

The First Week

### Goals - Understand the company and product - Meet key people - Start contributing (even small things) - Know where to get help

### Activities - Product deep dive - Customer overview - Cross-functional intros - Shadow customer calls or sales meetings - First small project or task

The First Month

### Goals - Meaningful contribution - Regular feedback - Cultural integration - Clear 60/90-day objectives

### Cadence - Daily standup (if team does this) - Weekly 1:1 with manager - Bi-weekly skip-level or founder check-in - Monthly all-hands context

The First 90 Days

### Goals - Full productivity - Independent execution - Cultural embodiment - Mutual commitment confirmed

### Milestones - Completed a significant project - Built key relationships - Received and incorporated feedback - Clear on path forward

Onboarding Checklist

### Week 1 - All accounts and tools accessible - Met immediate team - Understood core product - First task assigned - 1:1 with manager completed

### Month 1 - Met cross-functional partners - Completed first meaningful project - Received initial feedback - 30-day check-in completed - Questions answered

### Month 3 - Fully productive in role - 90-day review completed - Growth areas identified - Commitment confirmed both ways

The Bottom Line

Great onboarding isn't complicated—it just requires intention and follow-through. Invest a few hours per hire in preparation and structured check-ins, and you'll see dramatically better outcomes.