Team Introduction Sample: How to Introduce Your Team to New Hires (+ 8 Examples!)
A new job can be strange. Meeting new people, wandering around like a tourist, and figuring out the best ways of doing things:
- Where should you park?
- Is it OK to have lunch at your desk?
- How do you keep track of your expenses?
- Should you take part in the Slack team standup?
It's natural to feel like you're the only one who doesn't know where they're supposed to be or what they're supposed to be doing.
However, a proper introduction alleviates many of these feelings, giving new hires a sense of security and comfort.
Unfortunately, many introductions are brief and lack purpose:
A quick hello, exchange of names, and a wave goodbye!
As a result, new hires often feel disconnected from the team and struggle to contribute effectively. Therefore, introductions should be designed to help new hires feel welcome and promote a sense of belonging.
👋 What are team introductions for new hires?
Introductions are critical for building a cohesive team. A good introduction allows new team members to
- understand the team's culture, values, and goals.
- Plus, it allows existing team members to get to know the new hire.
As part of the pre-boarding or onboarding process, a structured introduction establishes a sense of belonging from the beginning.
These introductions are tailored to the new hire and the team and function to
- make a great first impression
- get to know one another
- ask questions
- and develop relationships.
Introducing new hires to your team is more than simply naming them and explaining their roles.
This may seem small, but it is usually the first step in integrating a new employee into your company.
At its best, a workplace is a community.
People come together to cooperate and complete tasks that wouldn't be possible on our own. But as anyone who's ever been part of a team knows, this cooperation doesn't always come naturally. Ultimately, a new hire represents change, which can be challenging to adjust to.
That's why it's so important to be mindful of the transition period everyone experiences when a new hire comes on board.
A structured introduction, in which the new employee has a chance to meet and get to know each team member, is essential for making everyone feel comfortable working together.
It allows existing team members to learn about the new hire and what they bring to the table.
📚 Types of team introductions
There are several ways to deliver a team introduction, depending on the size and structure of your company. If it makes sense, team introductions may happen across multiple platforms, including in-person, on the company website, or even on social media. Here are a few examples:
Introductory company-wide email
Standard practice is to introduce new hires to the team via email. Used to effectively reach a large audience and ensure everyone receives the same information. (You can opt to use different email templates or even an AI email writer to create a rough draft for intro emails and make tweaks as needed.)
Internal team email
For some organizations or teams, a team-specific email may be more appropriate. Ensure everyone on the team knows the new hire and can build relationships from the beginning.
In-person Introduction
It may make more sense to introduce the new hire in person. This can be especially effective for small teams or companies. It helps the new hire feel more comfortable and fosters a better working relationship with their team.
Social media announcements
For companies with an active social media presence, announcing new hires on social media can be a great way to reach a wider audience. This can also help potential customers or clients feel more connected to the company.
Quarterly newsletter
If your company has a quarterly newsletter, this can be an effective way to reach many people with the news of a new hire. Newsletters are often read by people who may not otherwise be aware of the new employee, so it can help to build excitement and engagement around the company.
Company bulletin board or slack channel
Introducing new hires via slack or an internal bulletin board can help to ensure that everyone in the company is aware of the new addition. This can be especially effective for larger companies or those with multiple locations.
Did you know that Slack has a free workflow builder in which you can do just that?
➡️ Read our actionable guide to onboarding workflows on slack
The most important thing is to make sure that everyone is aware of the new hire and connects with them.
💬 Team introduction samples: Use these templates to introduce new hires
Professional vs personal team introduction samples
This initial introduction sets the tone for the relationship between the new employee and the team. It provides an opportunity for the new employee to get to know the team members as people.
The introduction is more likely to focus on each person's traits in an informal environment, including hobbies and interests. This helps the new employee know the team members better and feel more comfortable working with them.
While in a more formal environment, the introduction is likely to focus more on each person's professional skills and experience to help the new employee know who to turn to for help with specific tasks.
Example of an informal team introduction message
Hi team,
I wanted to introduce you to [NAME]. [NAME] has an extensive background in marketing and sales, and he will bring his experience and skills to our brand-channelling initiatives. He has a passion for the environmental sector and intends to adopt a more sustainable approach to our marketing in the future. When he's not working, he enjoys volunteering at his children's school, travelling, and trivia.
I'm sure you will all work with [NAME] to ensure he has a wonderful experience at [company]!
Cheers,
Example of a formal team introduction message
I wanted to introduce you to Matt. Matt has over 15 years of experience working with Fortune 500 organizations, and he will bring his experience and skills to our brand-channelling initiatives.
He has a passion for the environmental sector and intends to adopt a more sustainable approach to our marketing in the future.
Having worked on international initiatives and brand campaigns, [NAME] will be a fantastic addition.
His start date is __________, and I am sure you will all work with Matt to ensure he has an awesome experience at [company]!
Regards,
Introducing a team member to the entire company
Hi team,
I wanted to introduce you to [NAME]. [NAME] will join our team on __________ as a part of our Manufacturing department. [NAME] has over ten years of experience working in the environmental sector and has been a guest speaker at the Smart Growth for Smart Business Conference.
His start date is _______________, and I am sure you will all work with [NAME] to ensure he has a rewarding experience at [company]!
Regards,
Introduction to the department
Hi team,
Our marketing team just got bigger! It thrilled us to announce [NAME] will join [company] as a part of our Marketing Department. With a strategic marketing and communications background, [NAME] will help lead many of our internal communications and ensure we have a stronger voice externally.
She'll be working with [NAME] on [Project], and it would be good to get her familiar with [Project] to gather feedback.
I hope you all make her feel at home here!
If you have a moment, please stop by to meet [NAME] and welcome her to [company]!
Regards,
Introducing several team members at once
Hi team,
Our marketing team just got bigger! So it thrilled us to announce [NAME] and [NAME] will join [company] as a part of our Marketing Department. With a strategic marketing and communications background, [NAME] and [NAME] will help lead many of our internal communications and ensure we have a stronger voice externally.
Having worked on global initiatives and international brand campaigns, [NAME] and [NAME] will be great members to our team.
They both start on ______________, and I am sure you will all work with [NAME] and [NAME] to give them a good warm [COMPANY] welcome.
Introducing a team member to a department that is not their own
Hi [team],
[NAME] will join [company] on _______________ as a part of our [department]. [NAME] was a part of [other company] and will be bringing his experience and skills to our brand-channel messaging. I'm sending this email because there is a potential synergy between the work [Name] will work on and your work with [Project].
If you have a moment, please stop by to meet [NAME] and welcome him to [Department]!
Regards,
Introducing yourself to a new team
Hi everyone!
My Name is [NAME], and I'm a part of the [Department] at [company].
My background is in sustainable development, and I am looking forward to working with you on everything from new communications to our sustainability program.
I have connected with [MANAGER], and I look forward to learning more about what [company] is doing to make a difference.
I look forward to meeting you all properly with you, and if you have a moment, please stop by so we can get to know each other better.
Regards,
Sample team introduction for a new starter to send
Dear team,
I am looking forward to working with you! My Name is [NAME], and I have been working as a [JOB TITLE] for the last [TIME] years.
I'll be working closely with [DEPARTMENT] on the [PROJECT], and I'm excited to contribute to what looks like incredible work.
You can see my portfolio here: [LINK]
If you see me around, come and say hi. I'd love to learn more about what you do and where you're from. I'll be working from home Monday and Wednesday but will be available for in-person coffee on the other days.
I'm excited about working here, getting to know you all a bit better, and working with you. Thanks,
[NAME]
It allows existing team members to learn about the new hire and what they bring to the table.
❓ How to make a new employee feel welcome
It's always exciting to grow your team by bringing on a new employee. However, once the offer has been accepted and all the paperwork is complete, it's time to start thinking about making the new employee feel welcome.
Once the new hire accepts the offer, make sure they feel like a valued team member.
Regardless of an organization's culture, all employers should follow key principles when introducing new hires. The goal is to help the new hire feel welcome and build meaningful relationships with every team member.
Ensure that they have the knowledge and resources they need to succeed in their role. Create a support network so new hires should have someone to turn to with questions or concerns.
Finally, it is essential to give new hires time to adjust. They should not be expected to hit the ground running on their first day.
👥 Stay in touch
The time between an offer and the start date is fraught with anticipation and excitement.
It can also be a period of uncertainty, so maintaining an open dialogue with new hires is essential.
By staying in touch, you not only show interest and concern, but you have an opportunity to address any questions or concerns before their first day.
This helps cultivate a strong relationship and sets the tone for future interactions. So don't be afraid to pick up the phone or shoot off a quick email - stay in touch with your new hires, and you'll be sure to start off on the right foot.
Tip: Keeping in touch with new hires can be as informal or formal as you like. Depending on organizational setup and convenience, this may happen over email, video call, or in person.
Introducing new team members during the first stage of onboarding provides them with a sense of comfort and accelerates their ability to get up running.
💌 Send information in advance
It can be frustrating to start a new job and feel like you're constantly playing catch-up. You're trying to learn the ropes and get up to speed. It leads to feeling unconfident and lost, which can be tough to shake off.
When given a bunch of new information at once, it's easy to feel overwhelmed. It's much better to receive information in advance to have time to process it and ask any questions you may have.
Potentially employers are concerned about inundating new employees with too much information before starting. However, 81% of new hires want to receive information before starting, and doing so shows you're invested in their success.
It doesn't have to be a lot. Include:
- an overview of information about the company (for example a very brief history and signification behind the company name);
- key facts about the department (e.g. the number of teams);
- key dates, such as the main events of the orientation week;
- a clear idea of what their first day will look like;
- what the job entails.
Having all this information can make a big difference in how smoothly someone settles into a new role.
🛠 Provide early access to systems and products
We've all been there: start a new job, only to find that we don't have access to the systems and products we need to do our work. It's frustrating.
Providing early access to systems and products is one way to help new employees hit the ground running.
Managers should introduce new employees to the tools and systems they'll use and the team they'll work with. This way, they can familiarize themselves with the systems and feel confident knowing the best point of contact for questions.
Tip: For tools that require formal training, providing a training schedule ahead of time with some idea of what will be covered and who will deliver it is beneficial.
Early access to the systems used daily gives them a sense of ownership as they familiarize themselves with the environment.
Common systems to give early access to include:
- Calendar
- Task management system
- Customer Relationship Management (CRM) system
- Content management system (CMS)
- HR systems
👬 The team's role in welcoming the new hire
There is a shift in the status quo when a new person joins a company. Managers must always keep this dynamic in mind and work to reduce the distance between new hires and the rest of the team.
Identify the reasons why the new hire will be a solid addition to your team once they accept their offer.
Existing team members will play a crucial role in welcoming the new employee as part of the onboarding process. Provide a structured introduction and prepare team members to make the new hire feel comfortable in their new role.
Team members offer valuable insight into the company culture and answer any questions that a new hire may have. In addition, existing team members can support a smooth transition by taking an active interest in the new hire's development.
Communicate that adding a new team member brings extra energy, new ideas, and fresh perspectives. This opportunity lays the foundation for a solid start to the new employee's professional career at your company.
Tip: Preboarding software can help you take care of all the above things on autopilot.
➡️ Introduce and onboard with Zavvy
A company's most valuable asset is its employees. That's why it's essential to make a good impression on new hires from their first day.
A strong onboarding program will help new employees feel comfortable and included while also conveying the importance of their role within the company.
➡️ Curious about taking your onboarding experience to the next level? Book a demo and explore our HR onboarding software.
By taking the time to introduce new hires to the team and orient them to the company culture, you can make a lasting impression that will pay dividends for years to come.
🙋 Bonus: How to introduce yourself to new coworkers
Here are a few tips for introducing yourself to new coworkers.
Ideally, your manager will send out a team introduction to the team, so everyone knows who you are, what you'll be doing, and your background. But it's helpful to conduct your introduction too.
Start by asking questions. Find out what people are interested in and what they like to do in their spare time. This will help you find common ground and start a conversation.
Be genuine and friendly. Let your personality shine through and make sure people feel comfortable talking to you.
Don't be afraid to take the lead. If you see someone you'll be working closely with, take the initiative and introduce yourself.
You don't have to be a social butterfly to make an excellent first impression on your coworkers. Take the time to get to know a few people and ask questions. As you get to know your coworkers, hold each other accountable to build strong work relationships to help you get ahead in your career.
This way, you'll be able to get to know your team. Get a bit of background on the person, their current role, and what they do in the office. Be genuinely interested in them.
It kicks off with a positive interaction with your new team. And if you don't get around to doing an introduction at first, drop your new coworkers an email or call them to say hi and introduce yourself.
It's a small thing. But it helps to institute a positive relationship early on. And it's much easier to get to know people when you can see them, so don't worry if you're working from home or your home office.