If your idea of Onboarding a new team member is handing them a laptop and setting up an email, you are in big trouble.
In todays rapidly changing job market, it is essential to have a solid onboarding program for new employees. You’ve given your new employee a comfortable candidate experience, continue that with a good onboarding program, it helps to ensure that new hires are set up for success and feel valued by their new employer.
First impressions matter
Day 1 can make or break you in the eyes of the new recruit. Make them feel welcome! Introduce them to the team, make sure they are all set up with the tools needed to perform their job and fit them out with any cool swag you might have to make them feel part of the team. There is nothing worse than starting a new job and day 1 you feel awkward because your laptop didn’t show up or you are not able to get into the system or your manager or teammates weren’t expecting you. The first few days and weeks of a new job can be overwhelming. They are likely to be nervous, unsure of their new surroundings, and may not know what is expected of them. A good onboarding program can help ease these fears and make new employees feel welcome and supported. The las thing you want them to feel is regret and a poor executed or non-existent onboarding program opens the door to that feeling.
A well-planned onboarding program should start before the employee’s first day on the job. This can include sending them a welcome email or package (I suggest this comes from their manager or the person that hired them), introducing them to their team members, and providing them with any necessary information about their new role. Also, give them a heads up on the expectations around working hours and dress code, you don’t want someone showing up at 8am with a shirt and tie if the rest of the team rolls in at 9:30 in shorts and a tee. By doing this, employees will feel like they are a part of the team before they even set foot in the office.
Training and development
A solid onboarding program should also include training and development opportunities. This can be in the form of in-person training sessions, online courses, or shadowing more experienced team members. By providing new employees with the tools and resources they need to succeed in their new role, they will feel confident and capable in their work.
Training and development opportunities also show new employees that their employer is invested in their success. This can lead to increased motivation and job satisfaction, as well as higher retention rates. Employees who feel like their employer cares about their development are more likely to stay with the company long-term.
Company culture
A good onboarding program should also include information about the company culture. This can include the company’s values, mission statement, and expectations for behavior in the workplace. By understanding the company culture, new employees can better understand their role within the organization and how they can contribute to the company’s overall goals.
Understanding company culture is also important for building relationships with coworkers. By understanding the company’s values and expectations, new employees can better understand their coworkers’ motivations and behaviors. This can lead to better communication, collaboration, and overall job satisfaction.
Retention
A solid onboarding program can also lead to higher retention rates. When new employees feel valued and supported, they are more likely to stay with the company long-term. According to a study by the Society for Human Resource Management, organizations with a strong onboarding process improve new hire retention by 82% and productivity by over 70%.
Retention is important for your companies because turnover can be costly, tens of thousands of dollars in recruiting fees and downtime to start. It can lead to decreased productivity, decreased morale, and increased costs associated with recruiting and training new employees. By investing in a solid onboarding program, companies can save money in the long run by retaining employees and reducing turnover. Remember, potential candidates will be checking out your company reviews and if they see high turnover rates or negative feedback around the hiring process that can really hurt your chances of landing quality recruits.
Overall job satisfaction
Overall job satisfaction is important for employees because it can lead to better physical and mental health, as well as a better work-life balance. When employees are happy in their job, they are more likely to have positive relationships with coworkers, take less time off and to be more productive in their work.
Having a solid onboarding program is crucial to employee success regardless of the size of your organization. Whether you are welcoming in employee number 2 or 200, do it right!
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