A Complete Guide to the Employee Onboarding Process

Onboarding new hires may sound like a transactional activity, but it is actually a time-consuming and essential aspect of any organization’s human resources strategy.

An effective onboarding process cannot be overstated. As per the study by Brandon Hall Group, it is found that companies with a structured onboarding process increase new hire retention by 80% and henceforth the productivity to 70%. Conversely, poor onboarding of candidates can lead to high attrition in the initial year of their being hired. 

Apart from setting the tone for employees’ entire company experience, it helps them understand their role and how it contributes to the organization’s success. It is essential to make onboarding fun, engaging, and, most importantly, effective.

Employee Pre-boarding Process 

Gifts and souvenirs are an easy win. On top of being excited to onboard, gifts are a cue to the new hires that you’re serious about building something special with them and for them. Also, to show them that you care, you have a better option to start their journey with. Tech giants, while hiring talents, send welcome kits that include branded pens, notebooks, mugs, tote bags, water bottles, etc. Alternatively, to create the first impression, you can select more creative schwag (like slinkies, granola, enamel pins, potted plants, etc. to narrate a better story about your company’s identity and values. 

– Preparing, communicating new hire, and gathering required documentation

Employee onboarding process steps 

Introduction to Company Culture – 

A new hire orientation is part of the overall HR onboarding process designed not only to give new employees a warm welcome but also to help them know the company’s work culture, including its history, goal, and structure. An informal introduction to the company’s culture will make it seamless and hassle-free for new hires.

Overview of Job Responsibilities and Expectations-

Outline the expectations for new candidates and take them through the roadmap of the company’s success. It will help them to understand their role better and pave the way toward meeting the mission, vision, goals, and objectives of the company. Setting up goals in the very beginning can prevent misunderstandings and will keep everyone on the same page. Additionally, it is important to ensure that new hires feel like they are part of the company by sharing the company’s mission, values, and culture with them. Providing regular feedback and check-ins pointers can help them stay on track and help them make improvements when required, ultimately leading to their success and the company’s success.

Tour of the Physical Workplace for onsite employees-

Show candidates where they will work and the equipment they will use to complete their work. Take candidates to the full view of the kitchen area and common area. Slowly guide them through the office. Give them a chance to look around and let them ask questions so that they know you have nothing to hide. Introduce them to everyone you pass when you take them through the organization’s floors and departments.

Assigning a Mentor or a team lead-

One of the most challenging parts of being a new hire is walking into unfamiliar territory filled with unfamiliar people. The HR manager should take the lead to introduce new hires to the concerned departments and teams. It will make it easy for them to not feel left out and isolated. Assigning a mentor to these newcomers can help ease the smooth transition and will be helpful for them to get a support system when it is required. Additionally, frequent interactions with these mentors during onboarding procedures can help the newest team members learn the desired outcomes of the company, and its ins and outs faster and become more comfortable in their new roles.

Introductions to Coworkers and Team-

Bringing a new employee on board is like adding a new member to the family. It is important to make them feel welcome when they join a new company. Introduce them to everyone in the company. One of the simple and effective ways to do this is by sending an introduction email to the newest member and a list of documents that they need to carry while joining the new team. Introducing them to the newest team members and adding some information about their personality in a witty way including their designation, previous experience, hobby, or guilty pleasure snacks details. 

Training and Development for freshers

One of the most important things about onboarding an employee is to understand how much training they may need in accordance with their departments. It also helps them to determine what training they require to get through the day-to-day processes. Things like understanding timesheets or even when to deliver their work need to be understood quickly and as soon as they join the company. Training helps candidates to know about the company and know what the company is expecting from them. 

Benefits of a Successful Onboarding Process

What is a successful onboarding process?

Onboarding employees is definitely not a fast-paced process. When companies rush to close positions, employees do not feel welcomed. Here is the step-by-step process of a successful onboarding – 

• Launching the job requirements
• Assessing/ evaluating candidates
• Conducting interviews
• Scrutinizing who to onboard
• Making a job offer

Conclusion

Successful onboarding programs can ease the recruitment process through automation. A successful onboarding process can make the candidate feel more involved and welcomed. It is important for companies to make candidates feel more welcome by introducing them to the company’s culture and policies. If you want to set up your own successful onboarding process, contact us and we will help you establish the process for new hires. 

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