Checklist for hiring new employees

What a new employee hiring checklist covers

A new employee hiring checklist is a thorough guide for managers to onboard new staff. It ensures each essential step is completed so the new hire can be successfully integrated into the organisation.

A robust checklist makes recruitment and onboarding systematic and efficient, helping both employer and new hire begin productively.

Below is a detailed checklist covering the primary stages of hiring a new employee.

Your checklist for hiring a new employee

Pre-hiring phase

• Identify hiring needsAssess and confirm the requirement for an additional team member.

• Develop job descriptionPrepare a comprehensive job description outlining responsibilities, required qualifications, skills and experience. Remote offers job description templates that you can adapt to your requirements.

• Obtain approval to hireSecure required authorisation from senior management or the relevant department before proceeding with the hire.

• Assemble a hiring teamBring together colleagues to support the recruitment effort. If a dedicated hiring team does not exist, assign internal roles such as interviewer, hiring manager and HR coordinator.

• Select recruitment channelsChoose suitable platforms to advertise the vacancy, for example online job boards, professional networks and social media. If hiring for a remote position, Remote Talent helps you attract top global talent and position your company as a preferred remote employer.

Recruitment phase

• Publish job advertisementsPublish the vacancy on the selected platforms.

• Collect and sort applicationsOrganise incoming applications and screen for minimum qualifications. Using an applicant tracking system can simplify shortlisting.

• Assessment tests

• Administer skill assessments or psychometric tests where appropriate.

• Schedule interviewsArrange and carry out comprehensive interviews with shortlisted candidates

• Background and reference checksVerify candidate details via background checks and by contacting references where relevant.

Hiring phase

• Select candidateChoose the candidate best suited to the role based on gathered evidence and team feedback.

• Job offerOffer the role verbally, followed by a formal written offer.

• Negotiate termsDiscuss and finalise employment terms including salary, benefits and start date.

• Offer acceptanceObtain written confirmation of acceptance from the candidate.

• Inform unsuccessful candidatesNotify candidates who were not selected in a courteous manner.

Onboarding phase

• Prepare for arrivalPrepare the new hire’s workspace, equipment and access credentials. For remote hires, ensure they have an appropriate workspace and that necessary software functions correctly.

• Onboarding documentationPrepare and collect employment documents such as tax forms, contracts and benefit enrolment paperwork.

Ensure the new employee’s personal and employment details are captured in your system. A global HR Management system such as Remote helps consolidate this information in a single secure platform before the new hire joins your team.

• First day agendaPlan the first day to include orientation, team introductions and an office tour for on-site roles.

• Training scheduleCreate a training schedule tailored to the new hire’s responsibilities.

• Assign a mentor or buddyPair the new hire with a mentor to provide guidance and support.

Settling in and follow-up

• Regular check-insSchedule regular meetings to provide feedback and answer questions.

• AppraisalsBook dates for initial appraisals to review expectations and performance.

• Feedback on onboarding processRequest feedback from the new employee about their onboarding experience to improve the process for subsequent hires.

Fast and compliant hiring with Remote HR Management

A global HR Management platform such as Remote reduces the burden of managing hiring checklists. Whether you operate a small team or a global enterprise, Remote HR Management centralises employee data across hiring to offboarding.

Hire top global talent using Remote Talent and oversee your international team from one platform your staff will appreciate. Remote HR Management enables employees to self-serve and upload their details before onboarding, ensuring your hiring checklist is complete.

To gain the flexibility to scale internationally at your own speed, create a free account with Remote HR Management today.