humanmap.fr
Onboarding Buddy Matching Checklist
A step-by-step guide to creating buddy matches that actually work. Print and use for each new hire cohort.
1. Before the Match: Gather Data
For each new hire AND each potential buddy, collect the following:
- Name, role, department, location/timezone
- Start date (or tenure, for buddies)
- 3-5 personal interests or hobbiesThis is the secret ingredient. Match on shared passions, not just role similarity.
- Communication style preference (Slack, video call, in-person)
- Preferred meeting time (morning/afternoon)
Pro Tip: If you have an org chart with interests/passions fields (like HumanMap), you can pull this data automatically instead of sending surveys.
2. Matching Criteria (Priority Order)
Match buddies in this order of priority:
- Shared personal interest (highest priority)Two people who both love trail running will bond faster than two people in the same department.
- Different department (preferred)Cross-team buddies build broader networks and reduce silos from day one.
- Same location or timezone (if remote/hybrid)Makes scheduling informal chats easier.
- Similar tenure bracket (6-18 months ideal for buddies)Recent enough to remember the onboarding experience, tenured enough to know the ropes.
- Complementary personality (if known)Pair an introvert with someone welcoming but not overwhelming.
3. Matching Template
| New Hire |
Buddy |
Shared Interest |
First Meeting Date |
| Alex Rivera (Eng) | Sam Okoye (Design) | Trail running | Mon Jan 6 |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
4. Buddy Program Setup
- Send buddy introduction email 3 days before new hire startsInclude shared interest as a conversation starter: "You both love cycling!"
- Schedule first buddy lunch/coffee for Day 1
- Set up weekly 30-min buddy check-ins for first month
- Create a #buddies Slack channel for the cohort
- Share the org chart link so new hires can explore independently
- Provide buddies with a list of "common first-week questions" to proactively answer
5. Follow-Up Timeline
- Day 1: First buddy meeting (lunch or coffee)
- Day 3: Quick check-in: "How's the first week going?"
- Week 2: Buddy introduces new hire to 2-3 people outside their team
- Day 30: Pulse survey: "Do you feel you know who to go to for help?"
- Day 60: Buddy relationship transitions from structured to organic
- Day 90: Final check-in and buddy program feedback
6. Success Metrics
- New hire has 3+ cross-team connections by Day 30
- New hire can navigate the org chart independently by Week 2
- Buddy satisfaction score above 8/10
- 90-day retention rate improvement (track cohort over cohort)