One-on-one questions for new employees (first 90 days)

Week one to two

• How has your first week compared with what you expected?Copy
• Do you have everything you need: access, equipment, information?Copy
• Who have you met so far, and who else should you meet?Copy
• What has been confusing that nobody has explained yet?Copy

Month one

• What is clearer now than it was on day one?Copy
• What would have made your first month easier?Copy
• Do you know what success looks like for you at three months?Copy
• Is the job what you thought it would be?Copy
• Who has been most helpful so far?Copy

Month two to three

• What do you feel confident doing on your own now?Copy
• What are you still unsure about?Copy
• With fresh eyes, what do we do that seems strange or slow?Copy
• What would you change about how we onboard people?Copy
• How are you finding working with the team?Copy
• What would you like to take on next?Copy

How to run it

• Meet weekly for the first three months, even if it is short.
• Write down their "fresh eyes" observations. They disappear after month three.
• Agree a 30-60-90 day plan in the first week so both of you know what good looks like.

What to avoid

• Overloading them with information in week one.
• Asking "any questions?" and moving on. Ask specific ones.
• Waiting until the probation review to give feedback.