Hiring a new employee to join your team is an exciting time. It means that staff will soon be able to learn from someone completely new. And, it also makes way for lots of fresh ideas to be brought into the team. However, a new starter’s personal experience of the onboarding process is critical to how they interact and engage in their role going forward.
In fact, research has found that a strong onboarding process can improve new hire retention by 82% and productivity by over 70%. And it’s been reported that 92% of new hires feel productive and important during their first month in a new job after effective cultural and operational onboarding. So, it’s clear that the onboarding process can truly be the difference between a successful working relationship and one which is short-lived.
Theoretically, the onboarding process should start from the new hire’s very first day at work. However, WorkBuzz recommend that you start this process as soon as your candidate accepts their offer. This enables them to be set up for a successful new starter experience, as well as keeping them engaged during the interim. In this article, we outline our top 6 tips to successfully do this.
Tip #1 – Maintain communication
It’s important to keep in touch regularly with your new hire. How often you do this though will depend entirely on the length of their notice period. But consistent communication before they even begin their new role will make them feel incredibly valued.
Doing this through regular, informal catchup meetings throughout the pre-onboarding process can be used as an opportunity to share exciting things that are going on in your organisation, as well as in the team they are joining. These meetings are also ideal for finding out more about the new starter. Enabling you to get to know them on a more personal level. Putting in continual effort with a new hire before they’ve made the full transition into your business will enable a positive relationship to be built between themselves and your organisation/hiring manager. It will also make for a much smoother first few months on the job.
Tip #2 – Get the fundamentals in place
Nobody wants to spend the entirety of their first day filling out lots of forms or setting up accounts. Especially if it’s all things that can be done in their own time! So set your new employees up for success ahead of time by sending them over any relevant admin tasks. However, ensure the new hire is aware these admin tasks aren’t mandatory to complete prior to officially starting. Instead, explain that it will be useful to clear the way for an exciting first day.
Tip #3 – Invite them into the office
Getting familiar with their new office environment, where to go, and becoming aware of the different amenities available will help eliminate some of the nerves your new team member will be feeling on their first day. Inviting them to physically attend the office will also be a good opportunity for them to meet a handful of their new colleagues. Dependant on the amount of time they have, you could even get them to sit through a team meeting. Or, you could schedule a lunch out with colleagues they’ll be working closely with.
Tip #4 – Share relevant materials
Joining any new organisation requires a lot of learning. There will be different ways that things are done, different objectives, business goals, and so on. So, provide them with access to key resources like the employee handbook, training materials, or presentations that will help them integrate better into their new role.
Tip #5 – Be clear on the expectations
The last thing any new hire wants is to be playing a guessing game. That’s why it’s important to make their duties and responsibilities clear from the start. Firstly, outline what is expected of them during their first few weeks at your organisation. Do this by emailing over a detailed plan of what they’ll be getting up to each day. This could include independent research, reading, or scheduled team introductions.
Then, you want to set expectations based on long-term and short-term goals. Employees appreciate understanding whether they are on track, so clearly communicating responsibilities beforehand to your new hire will ensure they’re prepared. This will also keep them focused and heading in the right direction when they officially start their role.
Tip #6 – Set them up for success
Just like how some admin tasks can be completed outside of the new hire’s valuable work time, so can some setting up procedures! This includes setting up the new employees’ laptop or computer, their work email address, and making sure that they have the correct set up at home. For example, providing a suitable chair to work on following workplace health and safety regulations.
Getting a good pre-onboarding process in place can make all the difference. And it can make everything else that comes after much smoother. But how do you know if it has been well reciprocated? By listening to your team, you can understand concerns and act on them before you lose out on great talent. And with WorkBuzz Premium, you can issue effective onboarding (and exit!) surveys alongside your other pulse surveys and annual surveys.