Although hiring has slowed down for many organizations, now is the ideal time to look internally and ensure your company is ready to make that first impression again (you don’t get a second chance!). Nearly 25% of new hires leave a job within the first year because their expectations about an organization aren’t met.
Providing only an employee handbook and stacks of paperwork is no longer sufficient. You must invest the energy, time and commitment to ensure each new hire feels welcomed, valued and prepared for what lies ahead. Time to get onboard!
- Plan. Programs often fail due to lack of planning and commitment. Think about what your onboarding program needs to accomplish, the kind of impression you want to make, what information new hires need to become productive quickly and what will help them feel welcome. Be sure to solicit feedback from recent hires and collaborate across teams for valuable opinions and insight.
- Organize. Internal communication and organization are fundamental to ensuring things run smoothly on day one.
- Get your team ready — Fill them in about his or her start date, seat location and role; block off time in Outlook for them to sync up; schedule a welcome lunch
- Get your environment ready — Stock their work area with necessities and something special, such as a t-shirt; send a welcome email to the entire staff
- Get your new hire ready — Send out an agenda outlining key meetings and the subjects to review; provide a tour of your facility, complete with introductions; assign a mentor
- Improve. Continue to touch base with new hires. This will help you improve your program and anticipate future new hire questions. Communicate with those participating in the program to ensure they have what they need to fulfill their commitment. Don’t be afraid to start small and expand as you obtain feedback. And be creative. Implement things that help support your culture. Consider rotating between multiple participants during rapid hiring phases to avoid burnout.
Effective onboarding programs can help new hires reach productivity quickly, setting reasonable expectations on both sides and, ultimately, decreasing your turnover rate. It’s an investment in employee retention, morale and productivity! Are you onboard?