322. How to Onboard a New Developer the Right Way

Your team just hired a new developer. Your team just hired a new developer. How do you get them up to speed? How do How do you get them up to speed? How do How do you get them up to speed? How do you make sure they become a productive you make sure they become a productive you make sure they become a productive member of the team as quickly as member of the team as quickly as member of the team as quickly as possible? possible? possible? And how do you get them comfortable with And how do you get them comfortable with And how do you get them comfortable with how you do things at a company? how you do things at a company? how you do things at a company? Setting up a new developer for success Setting up a new developer for success Setting up a new developer for success in a new environment can make a big in a new environment can make a big in a new environment can make a big difference when it comes to their difference when it comes to their difference when it comes to their long-term success. long-term success. long-term success. It can also make the team as a whole It can also make the team as a whole It can also make the team as a whole better as well. better as well. better as well. Let's talk about how in today's episode Let's talk about how in today's episode Let's talk about how in today's episode of Dev Questions. Software development is more than just Software development is more than just writing code. So, let's talk about the writing code. So, let's talk about the writing code. So, let's talk about the rest of it. Specifically, let's talk rest of it. Specifically, let's talk rest of it. Specifically, let's talk about how to onboard a new developer the about how to onboard a new developer the about how to onboard a new developer the right way. right way. right way. Now, if you've ever started a new job at Now, if you've ever started a new job at Now, if you've ever started a new job at a new company, you probably remember the a new company, you probably remember the a new company, you probably remember the confusion. You're setting up payroll confusion. You're setting up payroll confusion. You're setting up payroll information, getting your healthcare information, getting your healthcare information, getting your healthcare information ironed out, filling out information ironed out, filling out information ironed out, filling out forms, going through the handbook, and forms, going through the handbook, and forms, going through the handbook, and more before you even get to the actual more before you even get to the actual more before you even get to the actual job. Then you sit down at a brand new job. Then you sit down at a brand new job. Then you sit down at a brand new computer, figure out your login, and computer, figure out your login, and computer, figure out your login, and start on the real work. You have to start on the real work. You have to start on the real work. You have to figure out where the the shared files figure out where the the shared files figure out where the the shared files are, where the documentation is, you are, where the documentation is, you are, where the documentation is, you have to figure out how to actually start have to figure out how to actually start have to figure out how to actually start working on code, where the code is, what working on code, where the code is, what working on code, where the code is, what the process is of getting code in a the process is of getting code in a the process is of getting code in a production, where to find out where the production, where to find out where the production, where to find out where the tickets are, and so many other things.

tickets are, and so many other things. tickets are, and so many other things. There's a lot that gets thrown at you There's a lot that gets thrown at you There's a lot that gets thrown at you right away. And the worst part is that right away. And the worst part is that right away. And the worst part is that you get almost this firehose of you get almost this firehose of you get almost this firehose of information and you miss things. information and you miss things. information and you miss things. And then you feel like And then you feel like And then you feel like you feel bad about having to ask again you feel bad about having to ask again you feel bad about having to ask again and again for these things because you and again for these things because you and again for these things because you forgot. forgot. forgot. Now, on the side of the current Now, on the side of the current Now, on the side of the current developers and management, the process developers and management, the process developers and management, the process is often similar as far as it's a bit of is often similar as far as it's a bit of is often similar as far as it's a bit of confusion where confusion where confusion where they we just hired somebody new. Now, they we just hired somebody new. Now, they we just hired somebody new. Now, what do we do? Oh, we got to remember to what do we do? Oh, we got to remember to what do we do? Oh, we got to remember to get all the documentation put together. get all the documentation put together. get all the documentation put together. And where is the documentation? Do we And where is the documentation? Do we And where is the documentation? Do we have documentation? And oh, you need to have documentation? And oh, you need to have documentation? And oh, you need to get a computer, what should be get a computer, what should be get a computer, what should be installed? And how do we do that again? installed? And how do we do that again? installed? And how do we do that again? Because we haven't done it in years Because we haven't done it in years Because we haven't done it in years because we've had our computers running because we've had our computers running because we've had our computers running forever and so many other things where forever and so many other things where forever and so many other things where it's kind of just ad hoc and as you go. it's kind of just ad hoc and as you go. it's kind of just ad hoc and as you go. Unfortunately, most companies waste a Unfortunately, most companies waste a Unfortunately, most companies waste a whole bunch of time during this process whole bunch of time during this process whole bunch of time during this process while still not doing a very good job. while still not doing a very good job. while still not doing a very good job. So, let's talk about what things you So, let's talk about what things you So, let's talk about what things you should work on before hiring a new team should work on before hiring a new team should work on before hiring a new team member so the process goes much smoother member so the process goes much smoother member so the process goes much smoother and so your team operates better as a and so your team operates better as a and so your team operates better as a whole.

whole. whole. So, number one, let's establish a So, number one, let's establish a So, number one, let's establish a standard work environment that can be standard work environment that can be standard work environment that can be automatically set up. automatically set up. automatically set up. This is if you use Visual Studio, then This is if you use Visual Studio, then This is if you use Visual Studio, then here's Visual Studio and here are all here's Visual Studio and here are all here's Visual Studio and here are all the plugins or extensions we use. And the plugins or extensions we use. And the plugins or extensions we use. And have a list. If you use VS Code, well, have a list. If you use VS Code, well, have a list. If you use VS Code, well, you can even have a VS Code setup that you can even have a VS Code setup that you can even have a VS Code setup that just sets everything up with different just sets everything up with different just sets everything up with different environments for the way you work on environments for the way you work on environments for the way you work on different areas of the code. And if you different areas of the code. And if you different areas of the code. And if you have options, well, that's fine, but have options, well, that's fine, but have options, well, that's fine, but document them. Have an automated process document them. Have an automated process document them. Have an automated process for installing the tools you need. for installing the tools you need. for installing the tools you need. Because usually tools that are, you Because usually tools that are, you Because usually tools that are, you know, maybe you have to install FFmpeg know, maybe you have to install FFmpeg know, maybe you have to install FFmpeg on a machine because you have to make on a machine because you have to make on a machine because you have to make sure you process videos a certain way or sure you process videos a certain way or sure you process videos a certain way or whatever the case may be, have a process whatever the case may be, have a process whatever the case may be, have a process to automate that as much as possible. to automate that as much as possible. to automate that as much as possible. Because here's the thing. First of all, Because here's the thing. First of all, Because here's the thing. First of all, it's going to help a new hire because it's going to help a new hire because it's going to help a new hire because they're going to have the same setup as they're going to have the same setup as they're going to have the same setup as everybody else. Now, yes, we all everybody else. Now, yes, we all everybody else. Now, yes, we all customize things and, you know, change customize things and, you know, change customize things and, you know, change our themes or whatever, but for the most our themes or whatever, but for the most our themes or whatever, but for the most part, you should have a standard base part, you should have a standard base part, you should have a standard base you work off of.

you work off of. you work off of. And that'll help them get up to speed And that'll help them get up to speed And that'll help them get up to speed and when you show them, oh, you're going and when you show them, oh, you're going and when you show them, oh, you're going to do this and go here and go there, to do this and go here and go there, to do this and go here and go there, they're using the same tools, so it they're using the same tools, so it they're using the same tools, so it looks the same. And it's much easier for looks the same. And it's much easier for looks the same. And it's much easier for them to understand and follow along with them to understand and follow along with them to understand and follow along with you. There's less translation about, oh, you. There's less translation about, oh, you. There's less translation about, oh, well, you're using Visual Studio and well, you're using Visual Studio and well, you're using Visual Studio and this is how you do it, where I use VS this is how you do it, where I use VS this is how you do it, where I use VS Code, or we use JetBrains, or whatever Code, or we use JetBrains, or whatever Code, or we use JetBrains, or whatever the case may be. the case may be. the case may be. But, also, But, also, But, also, if your computer crashes, which does if your computer crashes, which does if your computer crashes, which does happen, I have lost a few machines in my happen, I have lost a few machines in my happen, I have lost a few machines in my day, where the machine fries, the hard day, where the machine fries, the hard day, where the machine fries, the hard drive fries, something goes wrong, and drive fries, something goes wrong, and drive fries, something goes wrong, and you need a new machine. Well, you need a new machine. Well, you need a new machine. Well, you don't want to spend the whole day you don't want to spend the whole day you don't want to spend the whole day setting everything back up, installing setting everything back up, installing setting everything back up, installing everything. Again, this is where Docker everything. Again, this is where Docker everything. Again, this is where Docker really helps, too, because if you're really helps, too, because if you're really helps, too, because if you're using like SQL and, you know, or using like SQL and, you know, or using like SQL and, you know, or DB and RavenDB and all these other, you DB and RavenDB and all these other, you DB and RavenDB and all these other, you know, database environments, that can be know, database environments, that can be know, database environments, that can be very quick to set back up. But, if you very quick to set back up. But, if you very quick to set back up. But, if you have a standard work environment with have a standard work environment with have a standard work environment with configuration for how to install it configuration for how to install it configuration for how to install it automatically, well, automatically, well, automatically, well, you can do that, too. So, you can get you can do that, too. So, you can get you can do that, too. So, you can get back up to speed very quickly when your back up to speed very quickly when your back up to speed very quickly when your computer dies.

computer dies. computer dies. That's number one. Number two, That's number one. Number two, That's number one. Number two, keep documentation of your systems and keep documentation of your systems and keep documentation of your systems and processes, and keep them up-to-date. processes, and keep them up-to-date. processes, and keep them up-to-date. This is where the the central storage This is where the the central storage This is where the the central storage is, where the ticketing system is, and is, where the ticketing system is, and is, where the ticketing system is, and how to get to it, and what the logins how to get to it, and what the logins how to get to it, and what the logins are, and how to who to ask for logins, are, and how to who to ask for logins, are, and how to who to ask for logins, who's in charge of these different who's in charge of these different who's in charge of these different systems, so if there's a problem, you systems, so if there's a problem, you systems, so if there's a problem, you know who to go to, and all these various know who to go to, and all these various know who to go to, and all these various things, keep them and keep them things, keep them and keep them things, keep them and keep them up-to-date. up-to-date. up-to-date. Document your process. Document your process. Document your process. This is where This is where This is where maybe AI can help a bit. I'd be very maybe AI can help a bit. I'd be very maybe AI can help a bit. I'd be very careful, though, because, yes, people careful, though, because, yes, people careful, though, because, yes, people will then say, "Well, AI can do the will then say, "Well, AI can do the will then say, "Well, AI can do the grunt work of just documenting." grunt work of just documenting." grunt work of just documenting." Yes, but what happens instead is it Yes, but what happens instead is it Yes, but what happens instead is it creates some verbosity there that makes creates some verbosity there that makes creates some verbosity there that makes it really difficult to understand where it really difficult to understand where it really difficult to understand where things are because of so much content. things are because of so much content. things are because of so much content. And what you really want to have is as And what you really want to have is as And what you really want to have is as small as possible documentation. You small as possible documentation. You small as possible documentation. You want that to be, you know, a little bit want that to be, you know, a little bit want that to be, you know, a little bit of information, not paragraphs and pages of information, not paragraphs and pages of information, not paragraphs and pages of information. So, and the other thing of information. So, and the other thing of information. So, and the other thing is, you don't want to give AI any kind is, you don't want to give AI any kind is, you don't want to give AI any kind of of of login information or of of of login information or of of of login information or or any kind of keys or anything else.

or any kind of keys or anything else. or any kind of keys or anything else. So, be careful there, but this is where So, be careful there, but this is where So, be careful there, but this is where you document your system and your you document your system and your you document your system and your processes. processes. processes. So, So, So, number three, this kind of goes along number three, this kind of goes along number three, this kind of goes along with this, but document every step to with this, but document every step to with this, but document every step to fix a bug and deploy it. fix a bug and deploy it. fix a bug and deploy it. Every step. Every step. Every step. So, this comes from where do you get the So, this comes from where do you get the So, this comes from where do you get the ticket for that? How do you know it's ticket for that? How do you know it's ticket for that? How do you know it's assigned to you? How do you filter just assigned to you? How do you filter just assigned to you? How do you filter just the ones that are assigned to you? How the ones that are assigned to you? How the ones that are assigned to you? How do you prioritize? All these things do you prioritize? All these things do you prioritize? All these things until you get to the point of okay, we until you get to the point of okay, we until you get to the point of okay, we have a bug now. Let's walk through the have a bug now. Let's walk through the have a bug now. Let's walk through the process step by step with pictures on process step by step with pictures on process step by step with pictures on how to fix that bug. how to fix that bug. how to fix that bug. The reason you do this is because this The reason you do this is because this The reason you do this is because this is probably one of the most common is probably one of the most common is probably one of the most common processes you do. Now, if you have a processes you do. Now, if you have a processes you do. Now, if you have a different common process, document that. different common process, document that. different common process, document that. But, this is a a very common process and But, this is a a very common process and But, this is a a very common process and a very common thing you'll give a new a very common thing you'll give a new a very common thing you'll give a new hire to as the first task. You say, hire to as the first task. You say, hire to as the first task. You say, "Okay, here's a bug. Go fix it. It's a "Okay, here's a bug. Go fix it. It's a "Okay, here's a bug. Go fix it. It's a simple bug, but that'll get you through simple bug, but that'll get you through simple bug, but that'll get you through the process of understanding how we, you the process of understanding how we, you the process of understanding how we, you know, submit code for review, know, submit code for review, know, submit code for review, understanding how you push the code into understanding how you push the code into understanding how you push the code into production, understanding how we deal production, understanding how we deal production, understanding how we deal with our ticketing system, and so many with our ticketing system, and so many with our ticketing system, and so many other things." So, document that entire other things." So, document that entire other things." So, document that entire process.

process. process. That means that your team members aren't That means that your team members aren't That means that your team members aren't being asked over and over by a new hire, being asked over and over by a new hire, being asked over and over by a new hire, "Hey, how do I do this now? How do I "Hey, how do I do this now? How do I "Hey, how do I do this now? How do I find my tickets? How do I, find my tickets? How do I, find my tickets? How do I, you know, mark the ticket as done? When you know, mark the ticket as done? When you know, mark the ticket as done? When do I mark it as done? Who reviews this?" do I mark it as done? Who reviews this?" do I mark it as done? Who reviews this?" All this stuff can be in documentation. All this stuff can be in documentation. All this stuff can be in documentation. This is not that you don't want people This is not that you don't want people This is not that you don't want people to talk to the new hire, the new hire to to talk to the new hire, the new hire to to talk to the new hire, the new hire to talk to people, but you want to give talk to people, but you want to give talk to people, but you want to give them as much autonomy as quickly as them as much autonomy as quickly as them as much autonomy as quickly as possible, so they can feel like they're possible, so they can feel like they're possible, so they can feel like they're making a contribution. making a contribution. making a contribution. And they can get up to speed very, very And they can get up to speed very, very And they can get up to speed very, very quickly. quickly. quickly. With this, number four, With this, number four, With this, number four, document every step to add a feature and document every step to add a feature and document every step to add a feature and deploy, because this may be a bit deploy, because this may be a bit deploy, because this may be a bit different. So, features are different different. So, features are different different. So, features are different bugs because of the fact that you're bugs because of the fact that you're bugs because of the fact that you're adding something new. and how do you add adding something new. and how do you add adding something new. and how do you add something new? How do you, you know, something new? How do you, you know, something new? How do you, you know, figure out what to add and where the figure out what to add and where the figure out what to add and where the libraries are for the different things libraries are for the different things libraries are for the different things we've already done, and how do you make we've already done, and how do you make we've already done, and how do you make sure that we're not, you know, repeating sure that we're not, you know, repeating sure that we're not, you know, repeating ourselves in in a way we shouldn't, and ourselves in in a way we shouldn't, and ourselves in in a way we shouldn't, and so many other things. Document that step so many other things. Document that step so many other things. Document that step by step with pictures.

by step with pictures. by step with pictures. Again, Again, Again, this is the next big step for a new this is the next big step for a new this is the next big step for a new employee where they're going to add employee where they're going to add employee where they're going to add something new. And so, you want to be something new. And so, you want to be something new. And so, you want to be able to walk them through and give them able to walk them through and give them able to walk them through and give them as much confidence as possible in the as much confidence as possible in the as much confidence as possible in the process process process so they can just focus on the code. so they can just focus on the code. so they can just focus on the code. All right, that's number four. Number All right, that's number four. Number All right, that's number four. Number five, five, five, give them time to absorb everything. You give them time to absorb everything. You give them time to absorb everything. You do not want to just have a fire hose. do not want to just have a fire hose. do not want to just have a fire hose. Give them time to absorb things, give Give them time to absorb things, give Give them time to absorb things, give them space to kind of understand what's them space to kind of understand what's them space to kind of understand what's going on. This is where that going on. This is where that going on. This is where that documentation helps, too, because you documentation helps, too, because you documentation helps, too, because you can say, "Hey, you know what? Once your can say, "Hey, you know what? Once your can say, "Hey, you know what? Once your your computer's installed and set up and your computer's installed and set up and your computer's installed and set up and all the rest, and once you kind of poked all the rest, and once you kind of poked all the rest, and once you kind of poked around a little bit, here's a bug. around a little bit, here's a bug. around a little bit, here's a bug. Here's the documentation for how to fix Here's the documentation for how to fix Here's the documentation for how to fix that bug. that bug. that bug. Take your time, get to it, and walk Take your time, get to it, and walk Take your time, get to it, and walk through the process, and and then come through the process, and and then come through the process, and and then come back to us when you're done. Not a back to us when you're done. Not a back to us when you're done. Not a rush." rush." rush." That gives them the opportunity to kind That gives them the opportunity to kind That gives them the opportunity to kind of calm down, let things, you know, of calm down, let things, you know, of calm down, let things, you know, filter into their brain, let them come filter into their brain, let them come filter into their brain, let them come up with questions they might have, make up with questions they might have, make up with questions they might have, make sure you give them time to absorb sure you give them time to absorb sure you give them time to absorb everything.

everything. everything. You don't want to just overwhelm a You don't want to just overwhelm a You don't want to just overwhelm a person. person. person. You want to allow them to absorb what You want to allow them to absorb what You want to allow them to absorb what they've they've been presented with so they've they've been presented with so they've they've been presented with so they actually learn things. they actually learn things. they actually learn things. Because if it's important enough for you Because if it's important enough for you Because if it's important enough for you to tell them, it's really important to tell them, it's really important to tell them, it's really important enough for you to give them time to enough for you to give them time to enough for you to give them time to actually remember it. actually remember it. actually remember it. Number six, Number six, Number six, pair them with an experienced developer pair them with an experienced developer pair them with an experienced developer for their first task. Now, this may be for their first task. Now, this may be for their first task. Now, this may be after the bug. This may be after that after the bug. This may be after that after the bug. This may be after that that first bug fix or two since they had that first bug fix or two since they had that first bug fix or two since they had that that paperwork, that documentation. that that paperwork, that documentation. that that paperwork, that documentation. But, at some point in the near future, But, at some point in the near future, But, at some point in the near future, pair them with an experienced developer pair them with an experienced developer pair them with an experienced developer for their first task. for their first task. for their first task. And let them drive. And let them drive. And let them drive. And say, "Okay, let's let's walk through And say, "Okay, let's let's walk through And say, "Okay, let's let's walk through this this thing we're going to do." this this thing we're going to do." this this thing we're going to do." And just watch them do it, talk them And just watch them do it, talk them And just watch them do it, talk them with them on the process, with them on the process, with them on the process, and make sure they are confident and and make sure they are confident and and make sure they are confident and comfortable doing the process. comfortable doing the process. comfortable doing the process. And this is not Make sure it's not a a And this is not Make sure it's not a a And this is not Make sure it's not a a person just telling them what to do step person just telling them what to do step person just telling them what to do step by step. Make sure that you let them by step. Make sure that you let them by step. Make sure that you let them drive so that they can drive so that they can drive so that they can understand what they're doing and and understand what they're doing and and understand what they're doing and and kind of make false starts and make, you kind of make false starts and make, you kind of make false starts and make, you know, and then walk them through it. Go, know, and then walk them through it. Go, know, and then walk them through it. Go, "Oh, no. Here's where you find that "Oh, no. Here's where you find that "Oh, no. Here's where you find that information. Here's how it You know, and information. Here's how it You know, and information. Here's how it You know, and that will reveal some things they may that will reveal some things they may that will reveal some things they may have missed." You can help fill in those have missed." You can help fill in those have missed." You can help fill in those gaps with them.

gaps with them. gaps with them. And this kind of feels comes to next And this kind of feels comes to next And this kind of feels comes to next number seven, which is encourage them to number seven, which is encourage them to number seven, which is encourage them to say, "I don't know." That phrase is so important for people That phrase is so important for people to be able to say. to be able to say. to be able to say. So, tell them, So, tell them, So, tell them, "You need to be able to say, I don't "You need to be able to say, I don't "You need to be able to say, I don't know." know." know." And say, "You know what? You're not And say, "You know what? You're not And say, "You know what? You're not going to know most of the stuff, and going to know most of the stuff, and going to know most of the stuff, and that's okay. But, we want to know what that's okay. But, we want to know what that's okay. But, we want to know what you don't know because we can't fill in you don't know because we can't fill in you don't know because we can't fill in those gaps if we don't know you don't those gaps if we don't know you don't those gaps if we don't know you don't know." know." know." So, and this also can be something where So, and this also can be something where So, and this also can be something where you lead by example. They ask you a you lead by example. They ask you a you lead by example. They ask you a question and you say, question and you say, question and you say, "I don't know. Let's go find that." "I don't know. Let's go find that." "I don't know. Let's go find that." And so, make sure they know it's a okay And so, make sure they know it's a okay And so, make sure they know it's a okay phrase to phrase to say. In fact, it's phrase to phrase to say. In fact, it's phrase to phrase to say. In fact, it's encouraged phrase to say. encouraged phrase to say. encouraged phrase to say. And then, make sure they know who to ask And then, make sure they know who to ask And then, make sure they know who to ask for help. This is where knowing who's in for help. This is where knowing who's in for help. This is where knowing who's in charge of different things in that charge of different things in that charge of different things in that documentation earlier, where you say, documentation earlier, where you say, documentation earlier, where you say, "You know, Bob's in charge of the SQL "You know, Bob's in charge of the SQL "You know, Bob's in charge of the SQL server, and you know, Mary's in charge server, and you know, Mary's in charge server, and you know, Mary's in charge of the ticketing system." And and so of the ticketing system." And and so of the ticketing system." And and so they know who to go to when they have a they know who to go to when they have a they know who to go to when they have a problem with one of those things.

problem with one of those things. problem with one of those things. So, encourage them to say, "I don't So, encourage them to say, "I don't So, encourage them to say, "I don't And then let them know who to go to for And then let them know who to go to for And then let them know who to go to for help. help. help. Number eight, have written expectations Number eight, have written expectations Number eight, have written expectations of how they'll be evaluated. This comes of how they'll be evaluated. This comes of how they'll be evaluated. This comes on a manager's shoulders, on a manager's shoulders, on a manager's shoulders, especially not just the team, but let especially not just the team, but let especially not just the team, but let them know what you're looking for. Some them know what you're looking for. Some them know what you're looking for. Some organizations say, you know, "We're organizations say, you know, "We're organizations say, you know, "We're going to evaluate you based upon how going to evaluate you based upon how going to evaluate you based upon how many tickets you complete." many tickets you complete." many tickets you complete." Okay? They should know that up front. It Okay? They should know that up front. It Okay? They should know that up front. It should not be a guessing game. should not be a guessing game. should not be a guessing game. If you say, "We're going to do lines of If you say, "We're going to do lines of If you say, "We're going to do lines of code." These are horrible ways of code." These are horrible ways of code." These are horrible ways of evaluating developers, but let them know evaluating developers, but let them know evaluating developers, but let them know what your way is of evaluating them what your way is of evaluating them what your way is of evaluating them because they shouldn't have to guess, because they shouldn't have to guess, because they shouldn't have to guess, "Am I doing okay?" "Am I doing okay?" "Am I doing okay?" They should be able to be the first line They should be able to be the first line They should be able to be the first line of evaluation on themselves on how of evaluation on themselves on how of evaluation on themselves on how they'll be evaluated. they'll be evaluated. they'll be evaluated. But they can only do that if they're But they can only do that if they're But they can only do that if they're evaluating the same way their boss will evaluating the same way their boss will evaluating the same way their boss will be. be. be. So, have it written down, "Here's how we So, have it written down, "Here's how we So, have it written down, "Here's how we evaluate you." evaluate you." evaluate you." This also encourages management to This also encourages management to This also encourages management to actually know actually know actually know because some places just don't know.

because some places just don't know. because some places just don't know. They're just kind of guessing at how They're just kind of guessing at how They're just kind of guessing at how they're evaluating. So, "I feel like they're evaluating. So, "I feel like they're evaluating. So, "I feel like you're doing a good job." you're doing a good job." you're doing a good job." That's not a great evaluation, right? That's not a great evaluation, right? That's not a great evaluation, right? So, you need to have a way to say, "This So, you need to have a way to say, "This So, you need to have a way to say, "This is what we're expecting from you." And is what we're expecting from you." And is what we're expecting from you." And then then then "This is how you can evaluate yourself "This is how you can evaluate yourself "This is how you can evaluate yourself to know if you're meeting our to know if you're meeting our to know if you're meeting our expectations before we do." expectations before we do." expectations before we do." Number nine, Number nine, Number nine, ask them to document anywhere they had ask them to document anywhere they had ask them to document anywhere they had issues in the onboarding process. issues in the onboarding process. issues in the onboarding process. And then fix those issues. And then fix those issues. And then fix those issues. So, this helps you make the onboarding So, this helps you make the onboarding So, this helps you make the onboarding process better and it also reveals to process better and it also reveals to process better and it also reveals to you any things where you any things where you any things where you kind of skip over things, where you kind of skip over things, where you kind of skip over things, where you, you know, just kind of hand wave you, you know, just kind of hand wave you, you know, just kind of hand wave past certain areas because you've done past certain areas because you've done past certain areas because you've done it for so long and you miss, "Oh, yeah, it for so long and you miss, "Oh, yeah, it for so long and you miss, "Oh, yeah, we do it that way." And when you figure we do it that way." And when you figure we do it that way." And when you figure out those gaps, you might also to out, out those gaps, you might also to out, out those gaps, you might also to out, "Hey, we shouldn't be doing it that way. "Hey, we shouldn't be doing it that way. "Hey, we shouldn't be doing it that way. Right? And so you figure out, hey, you Right? And so you figure out, hey, you Right? And so you figure out, hey, you know what? We should probably think know what? We should probably think know what? We should probably think about what we're doing. Sometimes you about what we're doing. Sometimes you about what we're doing. Sometimes you get so in the groove of doing something get so in the groove of doing something get so in the groove of doing something that you don't think about it that you don't think about it that you don't think about it consciously. But when a new hire comes consciously. But when a new hire comes consciously. But when a new hire comes in in in they kind of reveal these things. And if they kind of reveal these things. And if they kind of reveal these things. And if you have them documenting you have them documenting you have them documenting any place where they had an issue or any place where they had an issue or any place where they had an issue or they're they're missing documentation or they're they're missing documentation or they're they're missing documentation or whether where they're confused on whether where they're confused on whether where they're confused on something something something when they document those things, then when they document those things, then when they document those things, then you figure out, oh, we're we're missing you figure out, oh, we're we're missing you figure out, oh, we're we're missing this. We have this gap that we didn't this. We have this gap that we didn't this. We have this gap that we didn't see.

see. see. It's a great opportunity for the It's a great opportunity for the It's a great opportunity for the organization. organization. organization. Number 10, I think this is really Number 10, I think this is really Number 10, I think this is really important, not just for the new hire important, not just for the new hire important, not just for the new hire but for the team in general. but for the team in general. but for the team in general. Number 10 is schedule a celebration Number 10 is schedule a celebration Number 10 is schedule a celebration for two to three weeks after the new for two to three weeks after the new for two to three weeks after the new hire starts. hire starts. hire starts. Not right away, not the same day. And a Not right away, not the same day. And a Not right away, not the same day. And a celebration, it could be a lunch. celebration, it could be a lunch. celebration, it could be a lunch. But I personally, I like to have a let's But I personally, I like to have a let's But I personally, I like to have a let's take the team out for lunch and and kind take the team out for lunch and and kind take the team out for lunch and and kind of celebrate. But of celebrate. But of celebrate. But if your company's not big on that or if your company's not big on that or if your company's not big on that or they they're not going to give you the they they're not going to give you the they they're not going to give you the time to do that, well, bring in donuts time to do that, well, bring in donuts time to do that, well, bring in donuts or you know, have some kind of or you know, have some kind of or you know, have some kind of celebration at work with with, you know celebration at work with with, you know celebration at work with with, you know muffins or whatever. But take the time muffins or whatever. But take the time muffins or whatever. But take the time to celebrate. to celebrate. to celebrate. When that new person has gotten past the When that new person has gotten past the When that new person has gotten past the oh, I'm still dealing with HR. Like oh, I'm still dealing with HR. Like oh, I'm still dealing with HR. Like because you want to get to the point because you want to get to the point because you want to get to the point where they are in the job, they have where they are in the job, they have where they are in the job, they have done a few things so that when you hang done a few things so that when you hang done a few things so that when you hang out and you're talking to them and out and you're talking to them and out and you're talking to them and you're saying, hey, how's your your you're saying, hey, how's your your you're saying, hey, how's your your onboarding going? It's not just, oh, onboarding going? It's not just, oh, onboarding going? It's not just, oh, I've got my insurance set up now, great.

I've got my insurance set up now, great. I've got my insurance set up now, great. Like that's that's not what you want to Like that's that's not what you want to Like that's that's not what you want to have a conversations about. You want to have a conversations about. You want to have a conversations about. You want to have the conversations about hey, I have the conversations about hey, I have the conversations about hey, I first ticket out. Hey, I I made my first first ticket out. Hey, I I made my first first ticket out. Hey, I I made my first mistake. Like like have those mistake. Like like have those mistake. Like like have those conversations because it's more conversations because it's more conversations because it's more realistic of what a developer goes realistic of what a developer goes realistic of what a developer goes through and it's a better bonding through and it's a better bonding through and it's a better bonding experience because, and this is experience because, and this is experience because, and this is important, that new hire, you need to important, that new hire, you need to important, that new hire, you need to work on bonding them with the rest of work on bonding them with the rest of work on bonding them with the rest of the team. the team. the team. Because if they don't bond well, Because if they don't bond well, Because if they don't bond well, you're going to have a hard time as a you're going to have a hard time as a you're going to have a hard time as a team. team. team. Whereas if you can get them to see each Whereas if you can get them to see each Whereas if you can get them to see each other and and you know, have a a casual other and and you know, have a a casual other and and you know, have a a casual environment they can talk and they can environment they can talk and they can environment they can talk and they can talk about hey, what's your you know, talk about hey, what's your you know, talk about hey, what's your you know, your your hobbies or whatever or talk your your hobbies or whatever or talk your your hobbies or whatever or talk about the you know, the first things about the you know, the first things about the you know, the first things that you that you learn on a job and that you that you learn on a job and that you that you learn on a job and then you can talk about how yeah, my then you can talk about how yeah, my then you can talk about how yeah, my first week I deleted the SQL database first week I deleted the SQL database first week I deleted the SQL database and have those funny conversations. That and have those funny conversations. That and have those funny conversations. That starts to build camaraderie. And it starts to build camaraderie. And it starts to build camaraderie. And it starts to build a bit of trust between starts to build a bit of trust between starts to build a bit of trust between team members. And you got to be careful team members. And you got to be careful team members. And you got to be careful because you don't want to put the person because you don't want to put the person because you don't want to put the person on the spot. Don't put them in the front on the spot. Don't put them in the front on the spot. Don't put them in the front of the room and make them give a of the room and make them give a of the room and make them give a prepared speech. That's going to terrify prepared speech. That's going to terrify prepared speech. That's going to terrify some people. That's not it. But you some people. That's not it. But you some people. That's not it. But you know, a celebration where you're having know, a celebration where you're having know, a celebration where you're having muffins or going out to lunch and you muffins or going out to lunch and you muffins or going out to lunch and you know, eating pizza.

know, eating pizza. know, eating pizza. Those things can really change the team Those things can really change the team Those things can really change the team dynamic. dynamic. dynamic. So, So, So, preparing to onboard a new developer is preparing to onboard a new developer is preparing to onboard a new developer is a great opportunity for your team to a great opportunity for your team to a great opportunity for your team to formalize your process formalize your process formalize your process and to get your entire team on the same and to get your entire team on the same and to get your entire team on the same page. page. page. And then when a developer does join, And then when a developer does join, And then when a developer does join, it's a great opportunity to identify the it's a great opportunity to identify the it's a great opportunity to identify the gaps in your process and fix them. It's gaps in your process and fix them. It's gaps in your process and fix them. It's also a great opportunity to further also a great opportunity to further also a great opportunity to further build team cohesiveness and morale. build team cohesiveness and morale. build team cohesiveness and morale. Don't let the opportunity pass you by. Don't let the opportunity pass you by. Don't let the opportunity pass you by. All right. Thanks for watching and as All right. Thanks for watching and as All right. Thanks for watching and as always, I am Tim Corey.