Written by the team behind Puzzlify. Puzzlify is our product, so weigh what follows with that in mind. We've tried to make this useful even if you never use it.
The first week in a new job is strange. You don't know where anything is, you've met twenty people whose names blur together, and on a remote team you might go days without hearing anyone laugh. Most of what makes a new colleague feel welcome is unglamorous: a laptop that works on day one, a buddy who answers the "silly" questions, a manager who blocks out time. No gift replaces any of that.
But a small, personal gesture from the team can still help, especially when people are spread across offices or time zones. This post is about one low-key idea: taking a team photo and turning it into a short digital jigsaw the new person opens from a link, with a welcome note from everyone that appears when the last piece clicks in. It's not the only good idea, and there's a list of others further down, most of which cost nothing.
Why a puzzle works for a welcome
A jigsaw is a gentle icebreaker. It takes a few minutes, there's no right answer to get wrong, and it gives the new person a reason to look closely at the faces they'll be working with. If you share the same puzzle with the whole team and switch on the leaderboard, it becomes a light first conversation: "You beat my time on your first day?" That's often easier than a forced round of fun facts on a video call.
It also travels well. Nobody has to post anything, it works on a phone or laptop, and the recipient doesn't need an account or an app.
Choosing the photo
Pick something that says "this is us" without putting anyone on the spot:
- The team photo from the last offsite or team day. Ideally one where people look relaxed rather than lined up.
- The office, the view or the corner they'll sit in. Useful for a hybrid team, so the place feels familiar before they arrive.
- The team's unofficial mascot. The office dog, the plant everyone keeps alive, the slightly ridiculous trophy on the shelf.
- A screenshot of a cheerful video call, saved as a JPG, for a fully remote team.
- Your town or city, if they're relocating for the job. A well-known local view is a nice "welcome to the area" as well as to the team.
A few practical points. Ask colleagues before using a photo with their faces in it; some people would rather not appear, and that's fine. Check the background for anything confidential: whiteboards, screens, client names, ID badges, addresses. Use the original JPG rather than a compressed copy from a chat app, because sharper photos make clearer pieces. You can add an optional PIN if you'd like the link to stay private.
How many pieces
For a welcome, shorter is kinder. Nobody wants a two-hour task in their first week.
| Pieces | Roughly | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| 24 | 2–5 minutes | A quick hello on day one |
| 48 | 5–10 minutes | A coffee-break puzzle in week one |
| 80 | 10–20 minutes | A team leaderboard challenge |
| 130 | 20–35 minutes | A team that already loves puzzles |
| 252 | 40+ minutes | Probably too long for a welcome |
24 or 48 pieces is the sweet spot for most teams.
Writing the note at the end
The note is what they'll remember. Keep it short and specific, and if several people sign it, keep each line brief. Some examples:
- "Welcome to the team, Sam. We're really glad you're here. Ask us anything, nothing is a silly question."
- "You've just met most of us in pieces. The real versions are nicer. Coffee chat with your buddy Priya is on Thursday."
- "From the whole support team: welcome! The person in the green jumper is the one who knows where the good biscuits are."
- "Welcome aboard. Your first month is for learning, not for being perfect."
Avoid in-jokes that the new person can't understand yet, and avoid anything that hints at pressure ("hope you can fix the backlog!").
When and how to send it
- On the morning of day one, in the welcome email or chat message, alongside the practical information.
- At the end of week one, as a "you made it" moment, which can land better than on a busy first day.
- Before they start, if your company sends a welcome pack. A QR code on a printed card in the pack works well.
- Keep it optional. Not everyone likes games, and some people will just look at the photo and read the note. That's completely fine.
- Mind the time zone. If they're hours ahead or behind, send it at the start of their day, not yours.
What it costs
You can build and preview the puzzle in the browser for free, so you can check the photo and piece count before deciding anything. You only pay when you publish the link to send it: one credit is EUR 3.99, three credits are EUR 8.99, and Plus is EUR 14.99 a year for 10 credits, which suits a manager or HR team welcoming several new starters. The person receiving it doesn't need an account. If you want to try it, the Puzzlify puzzle maker is where to start.
To be clear about what it isn't: Puzzlify is digital only. Nothing is printed or posted. If you'd rather give a physical jigsaw for their desk, a printed photo-puzzle service is the better choice, and it's worth ordering a couple of weeks ahead. Puzzlify is also not puzzlify.io (a chess site), and it isn't Puzzlit, Puzzly or Puzzify, which are separate products.
A simple plan
- Ask the team for a photo they're happy to share and a one-line welcome each.
- Build it and solve it yourself to check the faces are clear at that piece count.
- Send the link with the practical welcome info, not instead of it.
- Follow up in person or on a call, so the gesture turns into an actual conversation.
Other ways to welcome a new colleague that don't involve us
A jigsaw is one small option. These matter more, and most cost nothing:
- Everything working on day one. Laptop, logins, access, a desk or a delivered headset. This is the most welcoming thing a team can do.
- A named buddy who isn't their manager and who checks in daily for the first two weeks.
- A short "who to ask for what" page. It saves dozens of awkward questions.
- A team lunch or a virtual coffee in the first week, with no agenda.
- A handwritten card signed by the team, posted to their home if they're remote.
- A proper introduction in the team channel, with one easy question others can reply to.
- A small local treat, if they've moved city for the job: the best bakery nearby, or a list of the team's favourite places.
Whatever you choose, the point is the same: helping someone feel that the team noticed they arrived. If a photo jigsaw fits your team, you can try it free on the Puzzlify puzzle maker and only pay if you send it.