New Job — First Week Checklist: 23 Items
A first-week checklist for settling into a new job, understanding tools, people, responsibilities, and practical workplace details.
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📌 Before day one
Notes: Ask about practical dress or equipment expectations.
Ask about practical dress or equipment expectations.
Notes: Request joining instructions if not already provided.
Request joining instructions if not already provided.
💻 Access & setup
Notes: Set up approved multifactor authentication if required.
Set up approved multifactor authentication if required.
Notes: Record approved channels for access or device problems.
Record approved channels for access or device problems.
Notes: Learn relevant emergency exits and job-specific safety rules.
Learn relevant emergency exits and job-specific safety rules.
👥 People & role
Notes: Identify colleagues you will work with most often.
Identify colleagues you will work with most often.
Notes: Clarify what good early progress looks like.
Clarify what good early progress looks like.
Notes: Find out who signs off routine tasks or decisions.
Find out who signs off routine tasks or decisions.
✅ End of week
Notes: Ask what to adjust during the next few weeks.
Ask what to adjust during the next few weeks.
Notes: Note the tools, processes or skills that need more practice.
Note the tools, processes or skills that need more practice.
Complete Guide
Get day-one details confirmed
Confirm when and where to arrive, whom to contact, and what identification or equipment is required. For remote work, verify secure onboarding and delivery instructions.
Complete access and security setup
Use the employer’s approved account setup steps. Enable required security controls and report unexpected login or device problems through the right support channel.
Learn the team’s workflow
Identify your manager, close collaborators, communication tools, meeting cadence, and preferred way to ask questions.
Clarify early success measures
Ask which tasks are urgent, which skills are expected immediately, and what will be reviewed at the end of the first month.
Understand policies and safety
Find relevant workplace procedures, emergency guidance, privacy rules, and the boundaries of tasks that need approval or training.
Keep onboarding notes organized
Store helpful terms, approved resources, common processes, and unanswered questions in one place without copying confidential company data into personal accounts.
Ask for feedback early
A short check-in can reveal misunderstandings before they grow. Focus on practical adjustments rather than trying to master the whole role in five days.
Plan the second week
Summarize what you learned and identify one or two areas needing more practice. Confirm upcoming goals with your manager.
Frequently asked questions
What should I prepare before my first day?
Confirm start instructions, contact person, required documents, commute or remote setup, and any equipment to bring. Use verified employer communications.
What should I ask my manager in week one?
Ask about current priorities, expected outcomes, communication norms, approval routes and what you should learn during the next few weeks.
How do I learn company processes quickly?
Take organized notes on approved workflows, ask focused questions and confirm understanding instead of improvising sensitive procedures.
What should I avoid putting in a personal checklist?
Do not place passwords, personal identification numbers or confidential company data in an unsecured personal checklist.
When should I ask for feedback?
A short check-in near the end of the first week is useful, followed by regular conversations as agreed with your manager.
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