Joining a remote team is exciting, but joining a multinational remote team? That’s a whole different level.

When I started at Top Position, I knew I’d be working with colleagues from all over the world. So, sometimes our Slack feels like an international airport. But what I didn’t expect was how crucial onboarding would be in helping me feel at home in this global mix.

Why onboarding hits different when your team’s worldwide?

In a co-located office, you can pick things up just by listening, observing, or tapping someone on the shoulder. In a remote, multicultural team, you don’t have that option. Onboarding becomes the bridge, not just to your job, but to the people behind the screens.

Here’s what I observed and am still observing:

 1. Clarity builds confidence (especially across cultures)

In a multinational team, people bring different expectations about communication, deadlines, and decision-making. A good onboarding doesn’t just say “here’s your task” but it explains how we work together. At Top Position, I got early access to playbooks, async norms, and even Slack etiquette (yes, we do love emojis and small talks, but we don’t ping after hours).

2. “Casual” culture doesn’t mean invisible culture

Remote-first companies often say they have a chill vibe. But when you’re joining from another culture, “casual” can be hard to read. Onboarding helped decode it. I wasn’t just told what our values are, I saw them in how people introduced themselves, the way feedback was shared, and how no question was ever “too basic.” And my loveliest part, welcome book where I got every single answer to my questions. 

3. Small connections make a big impact

Every day before we start our daily meeting, those early birds start just chatting)  Doesn't matter the subject: weekends, pets, the weather in our countries. It sounds simple, but those moments helped me feel like part of the team faster than any onboarding document ever could. For me, especially in a global setup, these check-ins remind you that you’re not just working with profiles but you’re working with real people who have hobbies, mutual interests, etc.

4.  Without good onboarding, people drift

The truth is, without intentional onboarding in a multinational team, it’s easy to feel lost. You might do your tasks, sure, but feel like a guest, not part of the team.That’s why I think onboarding should be treated like product design: it should guide, reassure, and delight.

At Top Position, onboarding wasn’t just a phase but it was a warm welcome. And that welcome set the tone for everything that came next.

Open call to all international companies) If your team spans countries, cultures, and time zones, don’t underestimate those first few weeks.