Top 10 Free Onboarding Checklist Templates

Having an Onboarding Checklist is crucial for ensuring a smooth transition for new hires or when taking on new roles. It helps to organize all necessary steps, from administrative tasks to social integration, ensuring nothing is overlooked. An Onboarding Checklist template in Notion can streamline this process, providing a clear roadmap for both the organization and the new member.

Before you dive into creating your own Onboarding Checklist, take a look at these Notion templates below to simplify the process and ensure you cover all bases.

What Should Onboarding Checklist Templates Include?

Choosing the right Onboarding Checklist Template in Notion can streamline the process of integrating new team members effectively. Here are key components to look for in a template:

Comprehensive Task List: The template should include a detailed list of tasks that cover all necessary steps from day one to full integration.
Role-Specific Customization: It should offer options to customize tasks based on the role of the new hire, ensuring relevance and efficiency.
Progress Tracking: Features that allow both the new employee and management to track completion of tasks are essential for transparency and accountability.
Resource Links: Direct links to necessary documents, tools, and other resources should be embedded to facilitate easy access.

Selecting a template with these elements will help ensure a smooth and thorough onboarding experience for both the new employee and the organization.

What Should Onboarding Checklist Templates Avoid?

Choosing the right onboarding checklist template in Notion can streamline the process of integrating new team members. However, some features may complicate rather than simplify. Here are key elements to steer clear of:

Overly Complex Steps: Templates should not include convoluted processes that can confuse new hires. Simplicity is key to a smooth onboarding.
Irrelevant Information: Avoid templates cluttered with unnecessary details that are not directly related to your company’s onboarding procedures.
Fixed, Non-Customizable Sections: Onboarding varies by role and department. Templates should allow easy modifications to address specific needs.

Remember, the best templates are those that provide clear, concise, and relevant information to ensure a welcoming and efficient onboarding experience.

1Onboarding New Employees SOP

The "Onboarding New Employees SOP" template ensures a welcoming and efficient onboarding process for new hires across all departments. It details everything from workspace preparation and technology setup to first day activities and regular check-ins, promoting a smooth transition into the company. This template supports HR and department heads in providing new employees with the necessary tools, information, and connections for a successful start.

A template preview for Onboarding New Employees SOP

2Visual onboarding with diagrams

A good onboarding process makes new hires fit in with existing teams and productively contribute faster. Instead of overwhelming new colleagues with pages of text, diagrams clarify complex topics at a glance.

A template preview for Visual onboarding with diagrams

3Rapid Onboarding Guide

I created this template when starting a contract role at a major tech organization. I needed to onboard fast and this template was a life saver. It utilizes structured learning to help individuals absorb information quickly and is tailored onboarding on a high performing team.

A template preview for Rapid Onboarding Guide

4New Hire Onboarding

A template preview for New Hire Onboarding

5New Hire Welcome

It can be overwhelming joining a new company, but Loom’s New Hire Welcome template makes it much easier. Build in resources, documentation, and a plan for the first 90 days.

6Pitch’s onboarding checklist

Set new hires, contractors, and recently promoted colleagues up for success with proper onboarding. Update this page and share it with the recipient so they can hit the ground running.

A template preview for Pitch’s onboarding checklist

7New Hire Onboarding

Keep track of new joiners, assign them a buddy and make sure they have a smooth transition into their role. You can even share this with the rest of the company to celebrate new joiners!

8Manager README

- Effectively convey your leadership style to prevent misunderstandings and foster early alignment
- Share your README when on-boarding direct reports and use it for expectation setting in a new work environment
- Reflect on your personality and leadership style to promote transparency and collaboration among your colleagues

9New hire onboarding

Onboarding checklists help new hires get settled at your company. Click any card to see onboarding tasks and notes for that person.

10Team Onboarding

Our template provides individuals, teams, and companies with a structured and organized approach to onboarding new team members, resulting in several benefits. It ensures that essential information and resources are easily accessible, minimizing confusion and reducing the learning curve for new hires. The template facilitates effective task assignment and tracking, enabling smoother collaboration among team members. Additionally, it promotes open communication and encourages a welcoming environment, fostering a sense of belonging and accelerating the integration process for new team members.

Closing Thoughts

Utilizing these templates streamlines the onboarding process, ensuring new hires are quickly integrated and productive. This efficiency not only saves time but also significantly reduces the potential for errors.

By adopting these tools, you can enhance team cohesion and ensure consistent training standards. Don't hesitate to implement them into your workflow to see immediate improvements in your onboarding procedures.

What is Employee Onboarding?

Employee onboarding is the process of integrating a new employee with a company and its culture, as well as getting them the tools and information needed to become a productive member of the team.

What is a Buddy System?

A buddy system in onboarding involves assigning a new employee a current staff member who can provide guidance, insight, and support as they navigate their new work environment.

What is Role-Specific Training?

Role-specific training is a tailored process that equips the new employee with the necessary skills and knowledge that are essential for their specific position within the company.