Being a Buddy

It can be challenging starting a new job, in a new environment with people you don’t know and trying to make sense of unfamiliar systems and processes.

The Buddy will play a key role to help make the New Employee feel welcomed and supported. They will be informal support system to help connect the dots for the New Employee in between touch points with their manager.

It is recommended that the Buddy connect with the hiring manager at least once a week for the first month to discuss how things are going and identify areas where additional support could be provided. It takes a village to make a community thrive so your participation in this process is greatly appreciated.

There is no one way to be a Buddy. Below are some best practices and recommendations.

1. First day: Meet or schedule time on the New Employee first day to introduce yourself.
2. First 2 weeks: Informally check in with the New Employee at least once a day the first week to say hello and see how they are doing, answer any high-level questions.
3. When opportunities arise, introduce the New Employee to other team members in person on via Zoom.
4. Inquire to see if they have any questions about systems or process. Offer to do high level overviews of the some of the systems and processes to help them absorb things. Highlight best practices and work arounds.
5. Offer to walk them around the office to provide a refresh on where things are.
6. Highlight restaurants or interesting stores or locations on campus that they may be interested in.
7. For onsite employees: Invite them to walk with you if you are going down to campus to help them understand the lay of the land.
8. Help provide background on the team culture.
9. After the first 2 weeks: For the next few weeks after they have settled in, informally check in with the New Employee once a week to say hello and see if you can help with anything.
10. Think about what would have helped you settle in when you first started and pay it forward with the New Employee.