Getting Started
Starting somewhere new is always a mix of excitement and uncertainty. That’s normal. basement has its own way of working, and it may take a bit of time to fully click. No one expects you to have it figured out on day one. This section exists to help you get oriented and make your first days and weeks easier.
Welcome to the basement crew.
You’ve gone through the process, signed the contract, got your basement email account, and you’re officially here.
What your first week will look like
During your first week, you’ll spend time setting up tools, meeting the people you’ll work with, and getting a feel for how work actually moves here. Your manager and your team are here to help, and they’ll be your main points of contact early on. No one expects you to have everything figured out immediately.
You’ll get access to the tools we use to work and communicate, such as Slack and Discord, along with others depending on your role (design, engineering, or production). If something is missing or unclear, say it early. Setup hiccups are normal.
During your first week, your manager will play an active role in helping you ramp up and will schedule a 1:1 with you on day one to:
Help you understand how basement works day to day
Define a list of relevant team members and key collaborators to meet with
Give you an overview of our visual branding process
Give you an overview of our web design and development process
Align clearly on expectations for your role and responsibilities
As part of onboarding, your manager will also coordinate an English assessment meeting so you can be assigned to an English class during your first week, if needed.
Toward the end of the week, you’ll have a short check-in with your manager to talk through how things are going, clear up open questions, and make sure expectations are aligned.
Tasks to complete during your first week
During your first week, focus on the following:
Meet with your manager to review expectations and priorities.
Meet the people lead
Set up recurring 1:1s with your squad and key collaborators.
Meet the finance team to learn how time tracking and logging hours work.
Read the relevant sections of this handbook to build context.
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It’s normal if things feel unfamiliar at first. Everyone here has been through that phase.
Take your time, ask questions, and don’t overthink it. You’ll find your rhythm soon enough.
Your responsibilities and impact will grow as you learn and gain confidence. Most people feel fully up to speed and part of the team in about three months.
Welcome to basement.