Starting a new job should be exciting.
But for many new employees, the first day involves sitting around waiting for someone to create an email account, find a laptop charger, or work out why they can’t access the systems they need.
It doesn’t create the best first impression.
A smooth first day helps new starters settle in quickly, become productive faster, and feel confident they’ve joined an organised company. The good news is that most first-day IT issues are completely preventable.
Here’s a simple checklist to make sure you’re ready before your new starter arrives.
The Hardware Check
Let’s start with the obvious one.
Does your new starter actually have the equipment they need?
A surprising number of businesses leave this until the last minute.
Before Monday arrives, make sure you have:
- A laptop or desktop ready to go
- A charger and any required cables
- A monitor, keyboard and mouse if needed
- A headset for Teams or Zoom calls
- Any specialist equipment required for their role
Don’t forget to turn the device on and test it beforehand. Discovering Windows updates are half a year behind at 8:55 on Monday morning isn’t ideal.
Create Their Accounts In Advance
Few things are more frustrating than starting a new role and being unable to access anything.
Before they arrive, create:
- Email account
- Microsoft 365 account
- Teams access
- Shared drive access
- Business software logins
- Printer access if required
Test everything.
It’s easy to assume an account has been created correctly, only to discover something important has been missed.
Think About Security
New starters need access to systems.
They don’t need access to everything.
Apply the principle of least privilege. Give people access to what they need for their role and nothing more.
This is also the perfect opportunity to make sure:
- Multi-factor authentication (MFA) is enabled
- Password policies are applied
- Security awareness training is scheduled
- Company security policies have been shared
Good habits are much easier to establish on day one than six months later.
Prepare Their Workspace
Whether they’re based in the office or working remotely, make sure their workspace is ready.
For office workers:
- Desk allocated
- Equipment installed
- Network connection tested
- Phone setup completed if needed
For remote workers:
- Equipment delivered
- Login instructions provided
- Video conferencing tools tested
- Support contact details shared
The less time spent troubleshooting, the more time they can spend learning their new role.
Don’t Forget The Small Things
Often it’s the little details that get forgotten.
Things like:
- Email signature
- Distribution lists
- Shared mailboxes
- Calendar permissions
- Access to meeting rooms
- Wi-Fi credentials
None of these are major issues individually, but multiple small problems can quickly make a new starter feel overlooked.
Have A Support Plan
Even the best preparation won’t prevent every issue.
Make sure your new employee knows:
- How to contact IT support
- How to report problems
- Where to find help guides
- Who to ask if they’re unsure
People are far more likely to settle in if they know help is available when they need it.
The Benefits Of Getting It Right
A well-prepared onboarding process benefits everyone.
Your new starter feels welcome and productive from day one.
Managers spend less time fixing avoidable problems.
IT teams deal with fewer urgent requests.
And your business creates a professional first impression from the moment someone walks through the door.
A Simple Rule
If your new starter arrives tomorrow, ask yourself one question:
Could they sit down and start working within the first fifteen minutes?
If the answer is no, you’ve got some preparation to do.
Why not book a 15 minute chat with Nick:
