Onboarding Buddy
At Axelerant, we value creating a supportive and welcoming experience for new team members. The purpose of an onboarding buddy is to offer a friendly, peer-based connection between a new hire and an experienced Axelerant team member. This role ensures that new hires have someone they can reach out to for questions, guidance, and support—whether it's understanding processes or learning how to write a great subject line in an email.
Within a new hire’s onboarding checklist, many of these topics are covered. However, additional questions and nuances often arise, and an onboarding buddy is best positioned to help address them.
👉 Harvard Business Review: Why Every New Team Member Needs an Onboarding Buddy.
Who is an Onboarding Buddy?
An onboarding buddy is a team member—other than the People Care team—who becomes a familiar, approachable first point of contact. They help the new hire feel welcome, supported, and comfortable sharing their questions or concerns.
Typically, a buddy has been with Axelerant for at least 6–8 months and works in a role similar to the new hire (e.g., developers paired with developers, PMs with PMs). Buddies are expected to initiate regular conversations and build a positive relationship that fosters learning and confidence during the onboarding period.
How do we select an Onboarding Buddy?
Experience: The buddy should have spent a minimum of 6–8 months at Axelerant and should be in a comparable role.
Availability & Interest: The buddy must be available during the new hire’s first month (i.e., not on extended leave) and should be invited—not assigned—to take on the role.
Clarity of Role: The onboarding buddy receives a guide that outlines what’s expected. For additional clarity, they can reach out to the Engagement Manager.
Communication: Once confirmed, the People Ops team informs the buddy and introduces them to the new hire via Slack or Zoom.
What are the responsibilities of an “Onboarding Buddy”?
Day 1 Welcome: Reach out to the new hire and introduce yourself.
Regular Check-ins:
Week 1: Daily
Weeks 2–4: Twice a week
Month 2: Weekly
Support & Facilitation:
Help with questions and understanding processes
Encourage networking within the team and organization
Raising Challenges: Escalate concerns or questions to the onboarding manager, if needed
Sharing Feedback: Give timely, constructive feedback to the new hire and the onboarding team. You might consider:
How has it been working with them so far?
Are they enthusiastic and proactive in learning?
Do they demonstrate Axelerant values in their work?
How is their communication?
What are their strengths?
Any concerns or suggestions?
What are some key program tips?
Invite your buddy to observe helpful project meetings.
Share key learnings and practical “shortcuts” from your own experience.
Conversation starters could include:
“What have you been learning during your onboarding?”
“In what areas do you feel confident?”
“Are there any topics you're unsure about?”
“How is your project going?”
What are the responsibilities of the People Operations team?
Consult the Life Coach for buddy recommendations.
Brief the buddy on their responsibilities.
Facilitate introductions via Slack or Zoom.
Check in with both the buddy and new hire periodically to monitor engagement.
Request feedback from the buddy at the end of the onboarding period.
The initial message from People Ops
This message aims to provide a brief about what the Onboarding Buddy role entails, and what is expected from a team member accepting this role. This message should be shared by the People Ops team with the team member, being suggested as Buddy by the Director of respective svc.
Hello @Rajani Havannavar (Unlicensed)
We think that you would be a good onboarding buddy to team up with @Yashashree Bedekar (Unlicensed) as they're still getting their feet wet with Axelerant. @Yashashree Bedekar (Unlicensed) has joined us today as Frontend Developer L1. Till the time they settle down and adjust to Axelerant's culture, working ways, @Yashashree Bedekar (Unlicensed) will inevitably have questions about best practices, workflows, values, culture, communication methods, etc., where you can help them out. People Ops team will always be available for a touchpoint as well!
This role requires your committment to meet your Buddy for a 15-30 mins touchpoint at last twice in a week for the first month (four weeks), and set-up a recurring meeting weekly meeting for the same. Then for the following month, please continue a once-a-week meeting for 15-30 minutes as well. Find a time slot that works for both of you and create a recurring meeting for the following four weeks. Beyond these eight weeks, you are both welcome to continue to meet if you find value and/or fun in doing so!
@Rajani Havannavar (Unlicensed) You can refer to this doc on confluence: Onboarding Buddy to understand this role in-depth, and I’ll wait for your response to know whether you’d like to take this role as an Onboarding Buddy for @Yashashree Bedekar (Unlicensed) .