Starting a new job can be an exciting yet anxiety-inducing experience, especially for new hires. It’s essential for leaders to make sure that their new team members feel welcomed and supported from day one to ensure a successful start.
Here are some onboarding strategies shared by the members of the Young Entrepreneur Council to help leaders make new employees feel welcome:
1. Host an office get-together: Organize a social gathering where new hires can interact with their colleagues and feel comfortable being themselves.
2. Do something active together: Engage new hires in a fun activity like a bike ride, and ask them questions that help them share their life experiences, growth aspirations, and contribution to the world.
3. Offer guidance: Onboard new team members with warmth by introducing them to HR, directors, and team members in their respective departments. Provide a personal touch by giving them access to the company president, who can offer support and guidance.
4. Onboard before the first day: Have a well-structured onboarding process in place to get important HR tasks done before the new hire’s first day, allowing them to hit the ground running and avoid any confusion.
5. Provide thorough information: Share a detailed onboarding process with new hires that covers their role, expectations, and company culture. Schedule regular check-ins to ensure they’re comfortable and have their questions answered.
6. Design a comprehensive onboarding schedule: Develop an orientation schedule that covers practical and emotional aspects of the transition. Assign a mentor and provide access to relevant resources to help new hires feel supported and prepared.
7. Pair new hires with seasoned coworkers: Assign a work buddy or mentor to help new hires get acclimated to the company culture, ask questions, and feel at home.
8. Use Slack to give a shout-out: Welcome new hires in your company chat and encourage your team to send warm messages, making them feel welcomed and comfortable.
9. Design a coworker reference sheet: Create an organization chart with pictures and links to bios of team members, then introduce the new hire to the team during a daily huddle.
10. Call a team meeting: Introduce new employees at the first team meeting and encourage them to share interesting facts about themselves.
11. Host a welcome event outside the office: Celebrate a new hire with a coffee break or a team lunch. Ensure they feel wanted, needed and appreciated right from
the start.
12. Send a small care package: Send a box of branded goodies to new hires between their hire date and first day to make them feel like a valuable part of the team even before their first week.
These onboarding strategies can go a long way in making new hires feel welcomed, supported, and motivated to succeed in their new roles.