Strategic Hiring and Onboarding for Design and Research Roles
Role: Product Design Manager
Organization: Corpay (Fintech), Loblaws (Retail)
Business Model: B2B
Overview
Hiring and onboarding are some of the most meaningful parts of my role as a design leader. It’s not just about growing the team; it’s about creating the right environment for people to feel welcome, confident, and excited to contribute.
How I Approach Hiring
Clear roles
​I always start by writing honest, well scoped job descriptions that reflect what the team actually needs, not generic templates.
Structured, fair interviews
​I create a consistent process that gives every candidate a fair chance. This usually includes a portfolio review, a design challenge, and a conversation to see how we work together.
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Kind and respectful experience
I try to make the process feel human, whether someone gets the job or not, they should walk away feeling respected.
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Team involvement
I bring in a mix of voices from the team and cross-functional partners to make hiring more inclusive and balanced.
How I Onboard New Designers/Researchers
Everything ready before Day 1
Logins, tools, intro emails, done. No one should spend their first day chasing access.
Warm welcome
I introduce them to the team, pair them with a buddy, and create space for casual chats and early connections.
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Clear 30/60/90 day plans
​I give them a simple roadmap so they know what to focus on and when; not everything all at once.
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Design rituals
I ease them into our design process, team rituals, and where to find things; like our design system and documentation.
What Happened as a Result
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Designers felt more confident and settled in quickly
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It took less time for designers to feel confident and contribute
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The team felt more connected; even while working on different projects
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Other teams understood the value of design more and started collaborating earlier
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Designers felt respected, included, and part of something bigger
What I believe
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The hiring process should reflect the team culture
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A good start builds trust and confidence that lasts
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People don’t need to know everything on Day 1; they just need to feel like they belong