Onboarding new hires is a critical process that sets the stage for their success within your organization. Slack offers a ton of features that can make this process seamless and engaging, from setting up dedicated channels to leveraging automated tools for introductions and training.
1. Create a Home Base in Slack
Start with a dedicated channel like #new-hires, #onboarding, or #start-here. This space gives new teammates a place to ask questions, get updates, and access what they need — without pinging five people first.
Tips:
- Pin the essentials: Include links to documents, schedules, tools, and key contacts.
- Add structure with Tracks: Use Doozy Tracks to drip-feed onboarding content directly into Slack — so new hires don’t get overwhelmed with everything on day one.
- Include a “what’s next” guide: A short message or Track module that outlines the first few days helps reduce uncertainty from the start.
2. Help People Meet People
Relationships matter more than paperwork in the first week. Slack can make connecting with others low-pressure and even fun.
Tips:
- Use intro threads: Prompt new hires to introduce themselves with a few suggested questions.
- Automate meet-and-greets: Use Doozy Introductions to schedule casual chats with teammates across departments.
- Make it interactive: Intro chats don’t have to be awkward — with Doozy’s built-in icebreakers, you can add a little structure to make meetings feel less like blind dates.
3. Share the Right Info at the Right Time
The best onboarding doesn’t feel like an info dump. It’s well-timed, snackable, and reinforces what matters most.
Tips:
- Split content into phases: Instead of a one-time doc, use Doozy Tracks to space out onboarding topics (e.g., culture on day 1, product on day 3).
- Quiz to reinforce: Use quizzes to recap key info — like company values or how your teams work together. These can integrate right in Slack and feel like quick interactions, not tests.
- Create a persistent resource space: A channel like #onboarding-resources with pinned how-tos, links, and recorded sessions gives new hires a place to find answers on their own.
4. Keep Feedback and Support Flowing
Once the first few days pass, it’s easy for new hires to feel untethered. Build check-ins into your process early and often.
Tips:
- Automate early check-ins: Schedule a Slack Poll using a tool such as Doozy or Polly to go out a week in asking, “How’s it going?” or build it into a Doozy Track so no one has to remember.
- Use light-touch surveys: Tools like Polly (or even a Slack emoji reaction) can give you a pulse on how onboarding is landing.
- Assign a buddy: Pair new hires with a teammate who can help navigate the unwritten rules. If you’re using Doozy Tracks, include a module that introduces the buddy system and encourages a first chat.
5. Celebrate Milestones and Build Belonging
Feeling seen and appreciated is as important as knowing where the company wiki lives.
Tips:
- Day-one welcomes: Post a quick welcome message in #general, and encourage teammates to say hi. You can automate this with Doozy Tracks, or set a reminder in your calendar!
- Celebrate early wins: A shoutout when a new hire finishes their onboarding Track or hits their first project milestone can go a long way. Automatically send a reminder to the new hires manager, so they remember to do it.
- Surface milestones automatically: With Doozy’s celebrations feature, birthdays and work anniversaries get posted automatically in Slack — reinforcing team culture without someone on People Ops needing to remember every date.
Wrapping Up
Onboarding isn’t just about information — it’s about making new hires feel confident, connected, and supported. Slack can help you deliver that experience at scale, especially when combined with tools like Doozy that handle structure, scheduling, and connection behind the scenes.
Whether it’s guided Tracks, auto-intros, or lightweight quizzes, you can build an onboarding experience that feels human — and actually works.
