How to Successfully Onboard New Employees

June 13, 2023

Onboarding is essential during recruitment. It sets the tone for the employee’s whole experience with the company. A successful onboarding process can help new hires feel welcome and valued, while also setting clear expectations for their role and performance.

A Gallup survey conducted prior to the Covid-19 pandemic found that only 12% of employees thought their employers did a great job of onboarding new hires.

Proper onboarding can lead to better job satisfaction, higher productivity, and overall company success. In this guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about successful onboarding, including:

Understanding the Importance of an Effective Onboarding Process

Onboarding is an opportunity to create a positive first impression and a lasting relationship with the new employee. It sets the tone for their entire tenure with the company, and can be a key factor in whether they decide to stay or leave. Successful onboarding helps new hires feel supported, valued, and engaged from day one. Employee onboarding statistics claim that a good onboarding program increases staff retention by 82% and productivity by 70%!

Pre-Onboarding Preparation

The pre-onboarding phase is just as important as the onboarding itself. Before the new employee starts, make sure you have a plan in place to set them up for success. This could include:

• Sending them an email or welcome package or employee handbook with information about the company culture, mission, and values
• Scheduling a pre-onboarding call to answer any questions they may have
• Setting up their workspace and necessary equipment ahead of time
• Assigning a mentor or buddy to guide them through the employee onboarding process and provide support

Effective Communication

Clear and effective communication is essential during the employee onboarding process.

Make sure the new hire knows what’s expected of them and what they can expect from the company.

Set clear goals and expectations for the new employee and provide regular feedback to ensure they are on the right track.

Follow a clear and concise training program inclusive of a comprehensive guide, onboarding tasks and onboarding checklist.

Ensure your checklist for onboarding includes and meets company expectations, expectations of employees, job perks, workstation, health and safety essentials, their onboarding buddy and learning environment.

Create a Structured Onboarding Program

A structured onboarding program can help ensure that new hires have a consistent and positive experience. Creating seamless experiences throughout the entire process.  This could include:

• An orientation to the company,  corporate culture, its mission statement, vision and company values and company policies
• Introductions to key team members, current employees and departments such as human resources and management team
• Job training and shadowing opportunities
• Regular check-ins with their manager to discuss progress and address any concerns

Manage the Gap Between the Candidate’s Notice and Start Date

The time between a candidate’s notice period and start date is important to manage correctly. It can be an opportunity to make a great first impression. This can help maintain the candidate’s enthusiasm for the new role. Here are a few ways to manage this gap effectively:

• Keep in touch with the new hire and provide regular updates on the onboarding process
• Send them relevant company news or updates to keep them engaged
• Schedule informal meetups or virtual events with the team to help them feel connected
• Provide them with relevant resources or training materials to help them prepare for their new role

Follow-Up and Continuous Support

Onboarding doesn’t end after the first day or week. Follow-up and continuous support can help ensure that new hires feel supported and engaged in their new role. This could include:

• Regular check-ins with their manager to discuss their progress and any concerns
• Opportunities for ongoing training and development
• Providing a supportive work environment and company culture that fosters growth and innovation

In Conclusion

Onboarding is a critical part of the hiring process, and it’s essential to get it right. To ensure new hires have a successful onboarding experience, follow the tips and strategies outlined in this onboarding guide. With the right support and resources, new hires can feel empowered, engaged, and ready to contribute to the company’s success.

It’s important to note that your recruitment partner can play a critical role in ensuring successful onboarding. A good recruitment partner can help manage the transition between a candidate’s previous and new job increasing employee retention rates. They ensure communication is maintained during this period. Additionally, a recruitment partner can act as a third party during the initial onboarding phase, providing external support and opportunities for open and honest communication.

CMD Recruitment takes pride in offering comprehensive support to clients and candidates during the recruitment process. This includes the onboarding phase. Our team of experienced consultants work closely to ensure our new hires feel welcome, supported, and fully integrated into our client’s team. If you’re interested in learning more about how we can support your recruitment needs, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.