The new starter checklist every marketing manager needs

There’s no better feeling than welcoming a new starter into the fold and watching them handle the role like a pro. Whether they’re a marketing intern, digital marketing executive or data analyst, getting your team member off to a good start is the key to a long and successful career at the company. And a new starter checklist is just what you need.

You want to make sure your new starter steps into their new marketing job full of confidence and ready to make an impact. Our checklist covers all the essential steps, from the moment they verbally accept your job offer to the final day of their onboarding journey.

To make the process as slick as possible, we’ve broken it down into four stages:

• Before they join
• The first week
• The first month
• Final onboarding tasks

Now let’s break it down into mini tasks and get ready for some practical tips.

Before they join

1. Send them your congratulations

You’ve found the perfect marketing candidate. Now it’s time to celebrate their decision to join your team! And take this opportunity to check if they need to send any documents before their first day. Don’t forget to include the start date, time and location. If available, send them the employee handbook to familiarize them with company policies, dress codes, and working hours.

2. Plan their induction calls

You’ll want to spread this over several weeks so they’re not overwhelmed with names and faces. Start by introducing them to the marketing team and consider assigning them a buddy so they instantly feel they have someone they can go to with questions.

3. Tech set-up

Whether you’re onboarding your new starter remotely or welcoming them into the office, getting them set up on the right systems and ensuring they’ve got the access they need is key. Let IT know so they can generate a company email. Consider what logins you’ll need to share with them. Get the right tech devices and equipment ready for their first day. And think about whether they’ll need a pass to get into the office.

4. 30/60/90 day plan

A clear plan sets the path for your new marketer. Use a 30/60/90 day plan to define measurable targets and milestones to prioritize tasks and monitor progress. Trust us, you’ll thank yourself for putting this overview together before your new starter joins and you’re more occupied with the day-to-day activities.

The first week

1. Welcome them to the team

Give your new team member a warm welcome and maybe even send a company-wide email to introduce them and encourage others to connect with them.

2. Explain the company structure

Navigating through a sea of unfamiliar faces and job titles can be confusing. Help them connect the dots by providing a company org chart or, at the very least, offer an overview of each team and their roles.

3. Highlight responsibilities and expectations

During their first week, focus on providing them with the necessary information. Put yourself in their shoes and reflect on your own experience when you started as a marketing executive.

4. Give them their first task

Your new starter will be eager to get the ball rolling. Getting them started on a marketing campaign allows them to contribute to the team's objectives and initiatives right from the beginning.

The first month

1. Set up 121s

Embrace the power of one-on-one meetings for open communication. Regular catch-ups reveal their challenge, enabling you to provide much-needed support. It's also the perfect moment to discover their future career goals. Will they delve into a marketing niche or explore new marketing functions?

2. Schedule cross-functional team meetings

Immerse them in cross-functional meetings to offer them a broader understanding of the company. By seeing how departments interact and collaborate, they’ll get the bigger picture and how they can contribute to the overarching goals.

3. Introduce to key stakeholders

Timing is key when introducing your new starter to senior managers, clients, and external partners. The earlier, the better. By connecting them with these key individuals, they can swiftly build relationships and feel fully integrated into the company fabric.

4. Team processes

Rather than piecing together information over time, give your new marketer a comprehensive overview of how things work within the team from the get-go. Introduce them to the tools, and explain how you collaborate on marketing campaigns and the KPIs you use to measure success.

5. Discuss their objectives

You’ll have covered this a bit in the first week. Now it’s time to go through how their performance will be measured in more detail. Your new starter will be eager to know what they need to do to pass their probation and what will earn them a well done.

Final onboarding tasks

1. Get onboarding feedback

Ask them how they found the onboarding process and get those golden nuggets of information. If you’re feeling fancy, create a questionnaire with statements like 'I understand my role expectations' and rating options (1-5). You’ll uncover valuable feedback to enhance the onboarding process for future hires.

2. Continuous support

Continuous support signals your investment in their success and well-being, enabling them to perform at their best. So keep the regular catch-ups in place and remind them your door is always open, so to speak.

Start the search for your next marketing professional

With our new starter checklist, you've got everything you need to create a streamlined onboarding process for your next marketing professional. Now, it's time to find that dream team member, and we're here to help. With almost three decades of experience matching marketing managers with top talent, we know how to spot a standout candidate.

Head to our marketing hub and connect with our team to get the search started. Or, download our Salary & Market Trend Guide for 2023/24 to get the latest hiring insights around candidate attraction, retention and salary benchmarking.