How to get onboarding exactly right
For most young companies, HR isn’t a top priority — growth and revenue are often deemed more important.
But when you’re spending lots of resources recruiting great people, you might want them to stay with the company for a while. And according to research, new employees who go through well-structured onboarding are 58% more likely to still be with the company after three years.
So when you’ve finally secured a great hire, it’s all about first impressions. The first day on the job can be terribly scary, and it’s your responsibility to make your new employee feel right at home. These tips can help.
No riding solo
Having someone by your side to get through the first day can make a stressful first day a lot more enjoyable. It could be their manager, an HR employee or other co-worker, as long as they can take a few hours off to show the newbie the ropes.
If possible, ask the mentor to stay available throughout the first weeks of employment — having a dedicated person to ask questions can make things a lot easier.
The right gear
You’re expecting your employees to do their best work, so you should give them the best tools for the task. Let employees pick their own computer from a set budget, or give them a used company laptop that fits their needs.
Sure, budgetary restrictions might mean some people have to bring their own stuff. But when you’re able to offer the right tools it’s a win for both parties — employees feel valued and their work won’t be slowed down by dated equipment.
Little things go a long way
In addition to giving new employees access to essential tools, why not surprise them with a small gift? It makes them feel appreciated, and it doesn’t have to break the bank — a relevant book or a couple of branded company t-shirts, stickers and other merchandise can be a great gesture.
Intro time
Some people naturally mingle with their co-workers, but others have a harder time making an initial connection. To make sure your new hires don’t have to sit alone at lunch, walk them by their co-workers’ desks for a quick introduction.
When your team is too big or spread over multiple locations, it might be impossible to take them on a physical tour. In that case, an introductory group email or Slack message can be a good alternative.
A proper set-up
Nobody wants to be asking around for account logins two weeks after they’ve started a new job. Make sure that during their first day, new employees get access to all passwords, shared folders and other documents to be able to do their job. Set them up with an email address, connect their laptop to Wi-Fi and activate their employee badge.
This is also a great time to go through company-specific protocol. Explain how to request days off, give them the lowdown on your payrolling system and show how to report an HR violation. It’ll save you the headache of having to explain it later.
Clear goals
When you’re starting a new job, it’s good to know where you’re headed for the first couple of weeks. By setting clear, achievable goals for new employees they know what you want them to achieve.
After a few weeks, schedule a meeting to run through their progress and ask if they’re struggling with anything — you’ll probably be able to help. This won’t just solve their issues—it’s also great feedback, offering an opportunity to look at your company through fresh eyes.
Part of the crew, part of the ship
It’s not unusual for people to feel like they’re just coming in to work to make money, but it doesn’t have to be that way.
Explaining the company’s mission, vision and strategy is key. Show how their role fits into the bigger picture, and how their skills are a valuable asset in reaching these goals. Understanding the impact their work has can have a positive effect on how they experience working for your company.
There you go — six tips to help you perfect your employee onboarding. Every company has different needs, however, and can profit from custom adjustments. How do you take care of new employees? Let us know in the comments.
