Onboarding is a critical component of the hiring process. An effective onboarding process enables new talent to acclimatize to your culture and acquire the necessary resources to succeed. Onboarding strategies help retain employees and optimize productivity. Applying the five best onboarding practices can help in implementing a successful strategy.
Effective Onboarding Strategies
Use our five recommended onboarding practices to fully integrate new hires and give them the necessary tools and resources for the job.
1. Preboard New Hires
Preboarding includes all activities from signing on to clocking in on the first day of employment. The practice is vital to engage the employee and allay any anxiety.
Send a welcome kit with a congratulatory card, laptop, branded items for team spirit and a frequently asked questions guide. An introductory email and onboarding checklist will help familiarize the new hire with what to expect.
Additionally, request that the new hire complete administrative tasks, like filling out payroll forms.
2. Emphasize Company Culture
Your talent acquisition team should highlight company culture continually. Emphasizing company culture helps employees transition into their roles and supports your organization’s goals. Consider using engaging training materials, narratives and videos rather than providing the new hire with a list of values.
3. Allow Learning in the Flow
When employees learn in the flow, they get answers as questions arise. The quicker responses are provided, the faster they learn and the more they retain. Use microlearning courses to cover specific topics. Housing these in a collaborative repository is helpful, as training material in a centralized location is a valuable resource for all employees.
4. Arrange Frequent Check-Ins
Onboarding continues beyond initial training. New hires should have weekly meetings and ongoing check-ins monthly and quarterly.
Meetings should be a space where employees are comfortable sharing their experiences and requesting additional training and support. These opportunities are also a platform for you to thank them for their contributions. Regular meetings keep employees engaged and productive.
5. Revisit Your Onboarding Process
Request feedback and revisit your onboarding process. Surveys or conversations help you enhance and evolve the process to meet your employees’ needs. Ask for feedback during their first and third month or during other time intervals that work for your business.
Learn More About Employee Onboarding Best Practices
At The Center for Leadership Studies (CLS), we have been a frontrunner in leadership training for over 50 years across 35 countries. We have deployed our innovative Situational Leadership® methodology in more than 70% of Fortune 500 Companies, and our training helps leaders build trust and lead effectively. Learn how to take new hires from onboarding to leadership with our solutions.
Contact us to learn more about onboarding best practices for your organization.
