Onboarding Like a Pro: The Ultimate Onboarding Guide for Software Engineers
Onboarding is your chance to make a strong foundation and establish your credibility
The New Year often brings transitions - whether you’re joining a new company or starting with a new team. This is a perfect time to focus on setting a strong foundation for success. A key part of that foundation is making a great first impression - because, let’s face it first impressions really matter.
Here are four actionable strategies to ensure you not only excel during your onboarding process but also position yourself as a credible and valued team member from the start:
1. Proactively Set Up 1:1 Intro Calls
Don’t limit your early conversations to just the Engineering Manager, Team Lead or Product Manager. Go beyond that - schedule 1:1 intro calls with all the engineers and key teammates you’ll be working with.
Why It Matters:
Discussing even non-work-related topics helps establish a personal connection.
When you’ve built even a small bond, it becomes much easier to reach out with questions later.
You’ll gain a broader understanding of the team’s dynamics, strengths, and challenges.
How to Do It:
Keep it casual. A 20-minute chat is often sufficient.
Ask open-ended questions. For example, “What’s one thing I should know about the team?”
2. Contribute as Early as Possible
You don’t need to take on regular team tickets right away; instead, look for small, low-risk ways to contribute. New joiners typically have a buffer period, so use it wisely. Early contributions not only help you learn but also signal your enthusiasm and proactivity.
Why It Matters:
Making even minor changes helps you navigate the project structure and business logic.
Small wins build confidence.
Your initiative will be noticed and appreciated.
How to Do It:
Focus on simple no-risk tasks like commenting code, fixing typos, or addressing minor bugs. But do it often and regularly e.g. one contribution per working day
Use these tasks to ask questions from teammates: “Why is this implemented this way?” or “Could this logic be simplified?”
3. Request Pair Programming Sessions
Ask a teammate to pair-program with you once or twice on a small ticket from start to finish. This hands-on approach provides invaluable insights into how the team operates.
Why It Matters:
Discover how tasks move from start to production.
Gain familiarity with the team’s preferred tools and practices.
You might pick up tips or tools your teammates use to enhance efficiency. For example, during my last onboarding pair programming session, I learned about a tool from my teammate that efficiently splits the screen between applications like the browser, IDE, and documents.
How to Do It:
Identify a small, manageable ticket that can be tackled together with your teammate.
Choose someone to guide you through the process.
Take notes on workflows, tools, and best practices.
4. Align on an Onboarding Plan with Clear Expectations
A structured onboarding plan helps you focus your efforts and track your progress. If your company doesn’t provide one, work with your manager to create it.
Why It Matters:
Clearly defined goals help you understand what’s expected during your first 30/60/90 days.
Regular check-ins ensure you’re on the right track and identify areas for improvement.
Documenting your progress makes it easier to demonstrate your value during a performance review.
How to Do It:
Schedule dedicated meetings with your manager to discuss your onboarding plan. Our managers are usually very busy with other important tasks, but it's important to be assertive.
Proactively request feedback: “Are there additional skills or knowledge I should focus on?”
Revisit the plan periodically to review accomplishments and adjust priorities.
By taking these steps, you’ll not only set yourself up for success but also establish yourself as a proactive, collaborative, and valuable team member. Onboarding is your opportunity to build a strong foundation - use it wisely, and you’ll be well on your way to making a meaningful impact.
Happy onboarding! And don’t forget, if you found this post helpful, please subscribe and share it.