The onboarding process for employees is a vital time. It is the first step new hires take in their career journey with a specific company, and it has the potential to set the tone for how they will perform in their designated role.
In their webinar, Sue Larkins, P&C Training and Development Leader, and Britton Witter, P&C Training and Development Associate from Hylant discuss their virtual onboarding process, which they developed during the COVID-19 pandemic. They provide five key tips on how to set up new hires for success during their onboarding, whether in-person or virtual.
1. Help New Hires Be Prepared Before Their First Day
Even before their start date, companies can help new employees feel prepared and ready for their first day. Larkins recommends sending out an outline of training plans so new hires can begin to familiarize themselves with what to expect during their onboarding process. Having a welcome kit (logo items, gift card) on their desks, all their equipment such as laptops and monitors set up when they arrive, and taking them to lunch with team members will make new hires feel welcome and comfortable on their first day. If new employees are starting remotely, their equipment and welcome gifts should be shipped to them before their first day.
2. Make the First Week as Stress-Free as Possible
The first week at a new job is an especially important time for new hires. It’s where they’ll get their first impression of the office, company, and their role. It can also be an overwhelming time, so to help make the first week go as smoothly as possible, Larkins recommends arranging office tours so employees will not feel as lost. Additionally, introduce them to other team members to help establish connections and give them a point of contact if they need to ask questions.
3. Ensure Onboarding Courses are Engaging and Effective
New hire groups will have employees who are all assuming different roles, so, depending on their role certain new hires may not need to attend the same onboarding courses as others. According to Larkins, to make sure your new hires will be fully engaged in their courses, don’t require them to attend courses that are not relevant to their role.
Once new hires are in the course, make the learning environment comfortable. Larkins suggests having roundtable discussions about the material where everyone gets a chance to speak, which will help break the ice and create an environment where people aren’t afraid to ask questions.
4. Have a Fun and Celebratory Ending to the Onboarding Process
Completing the onboarding process is an exciting milestone for any new hire. It can give them a boost as their first big accomplishment at their new job. Witter recommends sending email announcements to the company when new hire groups graduate, which will build community and give recognition. Planning fun activities, such as office scavenger hunts and gift card drawings, can also add to the excitement of their achievements.
5. Provide Follow Up Sessions Beyond the First Week
All employees, whether they have been at their company for a week or 10 years, can benefit from taking refresher courses on subjects from time to time. At Hylant, recordings of Proposal Training courses are available on demand and are accessible to all employees at any time, regardless of their experience level. Providing these educational videos fosters learning and allows employees to strengthen areas of skill whenever they need.