Four Tips for a Successful Onboarding
Starting a new job is a nerve-wracking prospect for almost anyone; there’s a lot to learn, and so much to do within the first few weeks and months. A good onboarding process can make the difference between an employee who is comfortable and productive straight away, and one who never fully settles into their new role.
Indeed, one study revealed that companies with a structured onboarding process enjoy significantly greater revenue per full-time employee than those without. Onboarding aligns employees with company culture, makes them feel at home, and gives them the confidence to do their job. With that in mind, here are some tips for a smooth, stress-free onboarding process.
1. Share the news
New hires shouldn’t be kept secret. Managers should let existing employees know well in advance that someone new will be joining the team. Knowing when a new colleague is due to arrive, as well as how they fit into the existing structure of the company, will help people connect with the new hire. Having relevant people drop by and say hello is a much better experience for a new employee than having to go and hunt down contacts and introduce themselves.
2. Make information available beforehand
Managers don’t need to wait until a new employee’s first day to begin the onboarding process. In fact, most new hires will be keen to learn as much as they can about the culture and operations of their new company before they set foot in the building.
Making handbooks, contracts, and other paperwork available to a new hire before they arrive cuts down on paperwork on the first day and allows them to get a feel for their place within the company.
3. Provide a point of contact
Any new hire is bound to have lots of questions, but when unfamiliar with a company, it can be difficult to know who to direct them to. These may be simple things, like door codes or the location of the cafeteria, or more complex, like how to deal with IT issues. Providing a designated mentor or buddy gives a new hire a specific point of contact whom they can be confident about speaking to. Plus it’s a great way to help them establish connections within the company.
4. Gather feedback
Every time a company onboards an employee, they have the opportunity to improve the process. What did they like? What did they dislike? What did they wish they had known before starting? By constantly refining the onboarding process in this way companies can ensure that future new hires will have an even better time. Plus, if for any reason an employee did have a bad experience, being asked for feedback will reassure them that the company does actually care about their well-being.
Organizing Onboarding
There’s a lot to consider when it comes to welcoming a new employee — indeed, some large companies have an onboarding process in place which lasts as long as two years.
If it seems like a lot to stay on top of, or when bringing on a lot of new employees, it’s often worth making use of employee management software with specific onboarding capabilities. This can take the hassle out of onboarding, and make sure nothing vital is neglected. Remember, beginnings count for a lot — managers should strive to ensure the best possible start for each and every new hire.
