When you bring on summer help, the clock starts ticking the moment they walk through the door. You need them productive, not just present—and quickly. Whether it’s a college intern, a temporary assistant, or a seasonal front desk fill-in, getting your summer help up to speed fast is all about preparation, clarity, and smart delegation.
Here’s how to make it happen without draining your own time and energy.
1. Have a First-Day Game Plan
Before your summer hire shows up, get your onboarding ducks in a row. That includes access to systems, email accounts, keys or badges, and a dedicated workspace. Set up a simple “Day One” checklist: where to go, who they’ll meet, what they’ll be doing, and how to get help if they hit a snag. A smooth first day sets the tone and helps reduce the deer-in-headlights effect.
2. Keep It Bite-Sized
You don’t have to (and shouldn’t) teach everything all at once. Instead, break tasks down into small, manageable pieces and prioritize what they need to know right now. Start with the essentials—how to answer the phone, process files, or log into the software—then layer in more complex responsibilities as they gain confidence.
3. Create a Cheat Sheet or Mini Manual
You don’t need a 50-page handbook, just a quick guide with key info: commonly used phone extensions, login instructions, filing protocols, office supplies location, and FAQs. Keep it short and visual where possible. This helps avoid constant interruptions for the same questions and builds independence early on.
4. Pair Them with a Go-To Person
Even if you don’t have time to train them yourself, make sure someone does. Assign a reliable staff member as their “go-to” person for questions, guidance, and feedback. It gives the new hire a point of connection and saves the rest of the team from confusion.
5. Set Expectations Clearly—and Early
Don’t assume your summer help knows how your office operates. Explain what “professional” looks like in your environment: punctuality, dress code, phone etiquette, and what to do when they’re done with a task. Be upfront and kind. Most temp workers or interns want to do well—they just need a clear target.
6. Let Them Practice Before Going Live
Before they take calls, greet clients, or tackle the inbox, give them low-stakes opportunities to practice. Role-play common scenarios or let them shadow someone for a day. It’ll boost their confidence and help avoid embarrassing missteps.
7. Use Templates and Repeatable Tasks
Don’t reinvent the wheel. If your summer helper will be doing data entry, inventory, filing, or confirming appointments, use templates and checklists to guide them. The more predictable the task, the faster they’ll master it—and the less supervision they’ll need.
8. Check In Often—Then Taper Off
Frequent feedback in the first few days is critical. A quick check-in at the end of each shift can catch mistakes early and reinforce what they’re doing right. As they settle in, you can step back and give them more autonomy.
9. Make Them Feel Welcome
A warm welcome can make a big difference in how fast someone integrates. Invite them to team lunches, introduce them around, and treat them as part of the crew—not just a short-term solution. When people feel like they belong, they tend to work harder and ask smarter questions.
The Payoff? A Smoother Summer for Everyone
Summer help isn’t just about filling gaps—it’s about adding value. A little effort up front means less stress for your team and a more successful experience for your temp. And who knows? That summer hire just might become a full-time asset down the road.
Get them up to speed, and you all win.