They say the first impression is the last impression.  If this is the case, why do so many organizations ignore the opportunity to make the first impression of their company a great one for their new employees?  Organizations spend a great deal of time and resources recruiting top talent and yet many ignore their new staff once they come onboard.  Did you know that most people decide within the first six months of employment if they are planning to stay with an organization?

Although creating a rich new hire orientation program may be time consuming, the good news is that once the process is implemented, it becomes part of the company culture and quickly becomes effective and cost efficient.  Onboarding, which is the process of helping a new hire quickly and confidently acclimate to a new organization, should be a priority for all firms.

Why?  The reasons are simple.

  • Increased job satisfaction
  • Increased performance
  • Reduce turnover

The key components to an effective onboarding program are basic:

  1. Forms management –  collecting, managing and tracking all new hire related forms
  2. Task management – ensuring that all tasks, such as computer setup, phone and voicemail, desk supplies are complete
  3. Socialization – The process of engaging new hires into the company culture

Most companies are good at components #1 and #2, but are missing the greatest opportunity with #3.  The faster a new hire feels welcome and prepared to do their job, the faster he/she will begin to successfully and effectively contribute in the workplace.

Companies should start focusing on their new employees even before they sit down at their desks on their first day.  Managers and HR should begin the onboarding process immediately after the candidate accepts the offer of employment.  The first two components of the onboarding process can be accomplished before the new hire walks through the front door.  These small details will provide the employee with a sense of confidence in the organization and help them feel prepared to get started.  Some ideas include:

  • Hiring managers should reach out to their new hires by phone or email to welcome them and solicit questions before their first day.
  • Consider forwarding forms to the new hire prior to the first day employment so he/she doesn’t have to spend time on paperwork.
  • Ensure that all systems are properly set up and functioning prior to the new employee’s first day.
  • Make the first day special!

Component #3 takes more time and thought, however once firms get the hang of it, new hires will naturally feel welcomed and energized to work.  Some ideas to help socialize new hires include:

  • Managers should meet with their new hires within the first week to discuss the detailed job description, organizational charts and assigned projects.
  • Managers should plan to meet with their new hires at least once a month to review how things are going.  These conversations should not be limited to workload and progress, but also to give the new hire an opportunity to freely ask questions and voice opinions or concerns.
  • Immediately create a schedule for different staff members across the organization to meet informally with the new hire.  The tenured employees should share their current projects, firm and/or personal goals and even personal interests.
  • Assign a “buddy” to the new hire for the first month of employment.  The buddy should be someone who is a peer of the new hire but could be in a different part of the organization.  The buddy can introduce the new hire to his/her friends in the office, share projects that are going on in different departments, and even tell the new hire about good lunch spots near the office.

With the high cost of recruiting and the extensive efforts many firms make with regards to branding, companies can’t afford to ignore the onboarding process.  Effective onboarding will engage the new hires quickly, prepare them to be productive and mission oriented, and will build a foundation for them to want to continue working with your firm.  Roll out the welcome mat and start paying attention to your new hires!

Additional Reading:

SHRM Research Report: Onboarding Employees: Maximizing Success  http://bit.ly/sSjOlE