Pre-boarding is a simple way to stay connected with new employees before their first day. An individual learning journey makes that communication easy to reuse and time correctly — each person gets it relative to their own start date.
If you'd rather start with the mechanics, see How to create individual learning journeys.
Why pre-boarding is a good fit
You stay in touch between contract signing and day one.
The new employee gets a warmer welcome and a clearer picture of what to expect.
You reduce uncertainty by sharing practical details before the first day.
What to include
A welcome from the company or team
A simple overview of the first day or first week
Information about equipment, tools, or systems
Introductions to colleagues, culture, or ways of working
Tips for a good pre-boarding journey
Keep the tone warm, brief, and positive.
Assume much of the content will be read on a phone.
Use short text, images, or video rather than long blocks of information.
Focus on what helps the person feel prepared, included, and less nervous before day one.