Onboarding & Probation
First Week Check-In
A first week check-in is a short conversation, usually at the end of the first week, to find out how a new hire is actually settling in. At this stage the questions are practical and human: do you have your equipment and access, do you know who is who, do you know what to do on Monday. Catching small blockers now prevents them from turning into disengagement later.
16 questions
When to use this template
- At the end of the first week, or on the last working day of it, once the new hire has met the team.
- When the onboarding plan is already running and you want to check that it matches what the person experiences.
- For every new hire, including experienced ones, because even seniors can be blocked by missing access.
Questions to ask
How the week went
- 01How would you describe your first week in a few words?
- 02What was the best moment of your week?
- 03Was anything in the week different from what you expected?
Practical set-up
- 04Do you have the equipment and accounts you need to work?
- 05Is there any access or tool that you are still waiting for?
- 06Do you know where to find the information you need day to day?
- 07Was the welcome on your first day what you hoped for?
People and team
- 08Which colleagues have you met so far, and who would you like to meet next?
- 09Do you know who to ask when you have a question about each topic?
- 10How did you feel in your first team interactions?
Understanding the role
- 11Do you have a clear idea of what you are expected to do next week?
- 12Which part of your role is still unclear to you?
- 13What would help you feel more confident in the coming days?
Closing
- 14Is there anything you would like me to do differently as your manager?
- 15What is one thing we should fix for the next person who joins us?
- 16Is there anything you would like to tell me that I have not asked about?
Tips for a useful conversation
- Keep it short and informal: fifteen to twenty minutes is enough at this stage.
- Ask about practical things first; they are easier to answer than feelings and show you care.
- Fix something visible straight away, such as an access or a missing tool, and tell the person it is done.
- Note every small remark: a confusing process mentioned by one new hire is probably confusing for all.
- Do not judge performance this early; focus on settling in.
Mistakes to avoid
- Skipping the check-in because the week was busy.
- Asking only yes or no questions such as “is everything fine?”, which invite a polite yes.
- Starting to discuss results or objectives before the person has a place and tools.
- Hearing a problem and not acting on it before the next meeting.
Let Passisto People hold these conversations
The AI agent holds structured voice conversations with your employees and gives managers a clear report. People decide what happens next.