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7 Onboarding Templates To Create Before Your First Hire

(to onboard properly and, scale without slowing down) 

Hiring isn’t the fix, it’s the test 

Hiring mistakes kill scaling momentum faster than anything else.

If you don’t prep your internal systems before new hires land, you’re setting everyone up for frustration, slow ramp-up, and costly setbacks.

Most people think hiring will solve their workload problem. But hiring without structure only makes things worse. Work gets dropped. Expectations go vague. Momentum stalls.

The solution isn’t to hold off hiring. It’s to prep your systems first.

These 7 templates give you the clarity, structure, and delegation tools you need to bring someone in without slowing down.

 


1. Project Brief 

Use this to answer: What work are we actually hiring for? 

This template helps you break down a role or project into deliverables, timelines, and ownership — so you’re not hiring based on guesswork. 

Why it matters:

  • Turns vague needs into defined outcomes 
  • Helps clarify what you’re handing off
  • Sets clear expectations for the hire 

Included in Core Pack 1: Business Essentials.

 


2. Task Tracker and Delegation Sheet 

Use this to answer: Who owns what, and how do we keep it moving? 

This system helps you manage task status, ownership, and follow-up in one view. 

Why it matters: 

  • Prevents “I thought you had that” confusion
  • Makes responsibilities visible without overengineering it
  • Builds accountability from day one
  • You stop being the single point of follow-up

Included in Core Pack 1: Business Essentials.

 


3. Mini SOP Template 

Use this to answer: How is this work actually done? 

Simple, one-page process docs for recurring tasks. Doesn't need to be perfect — just clear, short, and usable. 

Why it matters:

  • Stops you from being the knowledge bottleneck
  • Gives your new hire a way to get started without constant check-ins
  • Creates a repeatable structure 

4. Organisational Structure Chart 

Use this to answer: Where does this new role fit? 

A visual chart that lays out your team, responsibilities, and open gaps. 

Why it matters:

  • Clarifies reporting lines and team structure
  • Helps you avoid role overlap
  • Gets everyone aligned on where this hire fits in 

5. New Hire Checklist 

Use this to answer: What does someone need access to on day one? 

A clean list of tools, logins, resources, and must-haves for getting started. 

Why it matters:

  • Reduces onboarding friction
  • Gets them productive faster
  • Shows you’ve actually prepared

6. 30-Day New Employee Onboarding Plan 

Use this to answer: What should their first month look like? 

A week-by-week plan with tasks, checkpoints, and learning goals. 

Why it matters:

  • Builds early momentum
  • Aligns expectations
  • Makes onboarding repeatable 

Included in Mini Pack 1: Business Kickstart.

 


7. 90-Day Onboarding Plan 

Use this to answer: How do we guide their first three months? 

A full onboarding arc that stretches from week 1 to month 3. 

Why it matters:

  • Provides structure as the role deepens
  • Reduces micromanagement
  • Builds trust through clarity

Hiring is hard. Structure makes it easier.

These 7 templates give you the foundation to delegate with confidence, and bring someone new into your business without slowing everything down. 

Don’t just hire someone. Equip them. And yourself. 

 

FAQs About Hiring Systems

Should I build all 7 templates before I hire?

Ideally yes, but even 3 or 4 will give you a huge head start. Start with the ones tied to planning and delegation, then layer in onboarding. 

All our templates are Word-based. Simple, editable, and easy to customise for your team.

Not at all. You can roll these out with your current team to clean up confusion and tighten responsibilities.

We recommend a shared folder, pinned links in your team chat, or embedded in an internal doc library.

Start with the Project Brief. If you don’t know what you’re hiring for, everything downstream gets harder. 

Absolutely. Every team is different. Start with our version, and edit the templates to build the best suited system for you.

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