How do I send a handwritten card to every new hire?

#Option A — from an imported start date

Best if HR exports a joiners list every week or month.

1. Import the joiners

   Import the list with the start date as a column. Because you want a one-off card rather than a yearly one, map it to a custom column rather than to Work anniversary — the column header becomes the field name, so a column called Start date becomes start_date.

2. Create a date-field rule

   Automations → New automation → A date you imported, and name the field exactly as the column was named.

   Turn recurring off, so the rule matches the full date once rather than the month and day every year. A welcome card that arrives on every anniversary of someone's first day is a different product.

3. Set the lead time so it lands in the first week

   Set Days ahead to about 7 relative to the start date. Combined with the seven working days of production, that puts the card on their desk in the first few days rather than before they have an address on file.

   If you would rather it were waiting for them on day one, set it to 14 and let it arrive at their home address before they start.

4. Write a message that does not need much data

   New starters have thin records. Keep the message to {{first_name}} and {{sender_name}} — anything else risks a skip.

   Welcome aboard, {{first_name}}.
   
   We're really glad you said yes. Everyone is looking
   forward to working with you — shout if you need
   anything at all in the first few weeks.
   
   {{sender_name}}

5. Run it by hand, then switch it on

   Run now and read the matches before you trust it.

   You’ll know it worked when The right joiners appear, each with an occurrence date matching their start date.

#Option B — triggered by your HRIS

Best if your HRIS, ATS or onboarding tool can call a webhook, or you already run Zapier or Make. This sends the card the moment the record appears rather than waiting for the next import.

Create an inbound hook under Integrations, give it a message template and a design, and point your tool at the URL. The full recipe, including the JSON your tool needs to send, is in sending cards from Zapier and the inbound hook reference.