Creating a stand-out onboarding experience

Did you know?

20% of new employees leave a job within the first 45 days after a bad onboarding experience.

Human Capital Institute

What is Employee Onboarding?

  • A way of welcoming new employees to a company
  • A way of preparing employees for their new roles
  • A way of introducing them to the workplace culture, mission, vision and goals and norms
  • A way to make a great first impression

Onboarding Process

When planning for a new employee to start, there are four areas to consider

  1. Before they commence
  2. The first day
  3. The first week
  4. The first month

Tips to consider prior to day one

Tip 1: Attend to the formalities prior to start date

Tip 2: Introduce to key team members

Tip 3: Have 2IC phone the day before they start to welcome

Tip 4: Prepare a welcome pack with items such as: marketing pen, hat, T-shirt, umbrella, keep cup, badge

Tip 5: Organise to add a hand written note and a welcome morning tea

Tip 6: Order equipment and arrange logins

Tip 7: Arrange keys and access

Tip 8: Complete Questionnaire “Getting to know your team”

Day One Welcome

  • Meet greet the team.
  • More unofficial meeting – issue gifts with a genuine welcome
  • Have a coffee delivered  
  • Explain lunch or any other rosters
  • Explain how day one will ideally flow – onboarding checklist/induction
  • Office tour, amenities, security, work place safety.
  • Send a warm welcome group email with a bio 
  • Take a photo of meet greet for social media
  • Paperwork shouldn’t be the priority
  • Don’t overload them

The First Weeks

  • Add them to website asap with bio and photo
  • Have a end of week welcome drinks 
  • Extend warm welcome at team meetings
  • Introduce the new team member newsletter to clients
  • Organise a lunch for week 2 – ask for feedback
  • Track training often/check-in frequently
  • Create an “open door” approachable, environment.
  • Organise a week 4 progress settle in meeting with supervisor present

10 Common Onboarding Mistakes

  • Not following up before the start day to ensure your new  recruit is  at ease
  • Not being prepared and set up
  • Overloading your new starter with too much information
  • Too much focus on paperwork
  • Not introducing them
  • Assuming the new starter knows the lingo
  • Not assigning a buddy
  • Responsibilities are not clear
  • Not checking in
  • Not asking for feedback