What’s your take on onboarding new employees?
A: It gives new hires an excuse to slack on the job for the first few days.
B: It creates a lot of extra work and stress for management.
C: It’s something we just don’t have time for – we’re too busy!
D: It’s a nice idea, but can just as easily be accomplished with a good employee handbook.
E: It’s a business imperative.
If you answered anything other than “E,” today’s post is for you.
Why is effective onboarding so critical?
A thoughtful, structured onboarding process creates a cascade of benefits for your new employee and the entire organization:
- When you put sufficient time and effort into onboarding a new employee, you set a positive tone for your entire employment relationship.
- The more positive an individual’s initial experiences are with your company, the more welcomed and prepared they will feel to do their job.
- When a new employee has the confidence, work relationships and resources to do their job well, they can quickly begin making a positive impact within your organization. (Which is the reason you hired them in the first place!)
Need help making your onboarding program more effective?
Use these best practices from Corps Team to get onboarding right:
- Pre-orient your team. Explain to your existing staff why you made the hire and the role they will play. Lay out your expectations for the role each team member will play in getting your new employee up-to-speed, including: preparing their work space (i.e., desk, supplies, technology, etc.), and carrying out orientation, job training, shadowing and mentoring.
- Accomplish as much “busywork” as you can before their first day. The fewer administrative details they have to handle, the more your new hire can focus on work once they arrive. Send a friendly welcome letter or email to your new employee well in advance of their start date. Include:
- An outline of their first day’s schedule, including to whom they should report
- Tips for parking and getting around your location
- A high-level review of your onboarding process, so they know what to expect
- New-hire paperwork (or links to it) which can be completed in advance
- Provide as much information as you can in writing. To eliminate confusion and clarify expectations, detail the new hire’s job responsibilities and objectives. Explain where and how they can acquire the resources and tools they needs to do their job.
- Make the first day personal. If possible, give the new employee your undivided attention on their first day, so you can focus exclusively on training and orienting them. Prioritize the development of key work relationships as soon as they start, by making the appropriate introductions. And be sure to welcome them as a whole person (and not just a set of skills), so they build the interpersonal bonds needed to increase engagement, foster loyalty and boost performance.
Whether it’s for fractional, project-based or direct-hire positions, Corps Team works to make new employee transitions as successful and simple as possible. Our stringent screening process ensures that the professionals we refer have the skills, experience and traits necessary to integrate seamlessly with your core team. Contact your Corps Team office to learn more about our flexible professional staffing and search options.
