Once you get through the process of hiring a new employee (which can be pretty exhausting!) the next step is to hand them off for onboarding. Simple, right? Not so fast! When was the last time you updated your onboarding plan?
If it’s been gathering dust for the past few years, or in the event you don’t really have a solid plan in place, it’s time to take a look at how you’re onboarding and how it’s affecting your retention rates! A well-onboarded employee should have all the tools they need to succeed and exceed at your company. Failing to get them off on the right foot could result in more than a few problems down the road.
So, what should go in a great onboarding plan? Let’s take a look at a few must-have’s that should be put into effect.
Details Matter – While you don’t necessarily need an exhaustive list, your new employee should know all of the details pertinent to their new job. This should include company policies, a job description and ideally a rough outline of what they are expected to do every day. If possible, have an experienced and happy employee guide them around as a mentor for a few days. Choose someone with an upbeat attitude who loves your company. No sense in spoiling your new recruit during their formative first week!
Let Everyone Else Know – Send out an email in advance to let the rest of your staff know about the new hire and ask them to be welcoming and friendly. Your first few days on the job can be tough, and it’s even tougher if you’re going into a close-knit environment.
Make Sure They Have Everything They Need – If your company has a security system with ID’s, your new employee should have that the first day (ideally even before that). If necessary, you may want to do a small orientation before their first official day if there is a lot of material you’ll need them to cover.
Individualizing Onboarding – If you regularly hire for new positions, you already know that their positions are not one-size-fits-all, so why should their onboarding be identical? It may take a little extra work to put together different onboarding packets and materials, but it will save you time in the long run.
Onboarding doesn’t have to be stressful – for you or your new employees! Invest a little time now in making sure your processes are in place and you’ll enjoy smooth sailing ahead!
Need help finding the right employees? Look no further than SoloPoint Solutions!