Starting out as a new employee is exciting, but can also be nerve-wracking. Strong onboarding programs include orientations that help to maintain employee excitement and reduce the unknown by providing specific information that is critical to the employee’s success and experience learning and navigating a new position and organization. There are five key elements that must be considered in the onboarding of a new employee: orientation, human resource overview, employer expectations and employee evaluation, organizational mission, and training.
Organization
Deliver an orientation that includes an overview of the organization, its organizational structure and communication pathways. It is vital to provide new employees with an orientation. The orientation can be provided face to face, online or by giving a document to the employee. Regardless of the format, it is important to provide a warm welcome to a new employee and provide an overview of what to expect over the course of the next days, weeks and months as a new employee. Some companies provide a full day training while others send out a document over email providing an overview of what to expect. The medium of the orientation can be chosen to best meet the needs of the organization and/or new employees. The most important aspect of this orientation is providing an overview of the organization, its structure and how to work, communicate, and problem-solve within its structure.
Streamline the Process
Provide key information regarding human resources including contractual information, hiring paperwork and benefits. Organizations need to outline and provide a clear hiring process. By providing an overview of what to expect in the hiring process, communication is enhanced and will promote a streamlined process. If there is paperwork involved, or contracts to be signed, it will be important to outline this process as well. This will help ensure that all documents are completed and submitted according to expectations and timelines.
Set Expectations
Outline expectations for the position along with vital information about any performance assessments or end of year reviews. New employees need to understand the scope of their work and how their success will be measured and by whom. It is helpful to provide this information up front to the new employee. This will enable to new employee to have a clear understanding of the expectations, performance requirements and tasks that lie ahead. This will enable the employee to start the position strong and with a clear goal.
Company Culture
Provide the overall organizational mission and vision, how the hired employee and their position fits within it. Part of understanding a new position is understanding how it fits into the larger mission or goals of an organization. Providing an opportunity to learn about this, and also to meet other key employees across the organization, will help to situate a new employee squarely in the new post. It will also help to create a culture of belonging which is important for many new employees.
Provide Efficient Training
Schedule and provide training or technology support related to the position or legal requirements of employees in the organization. Many employees will have specialized tools and technologies needed to fulfill job responsibilities. Providing information regarding new email logins and protocols, computers and printers, as well as specialized applications or programs, will be important. A hiring manager will be able to have specific training for all of the different aspects of their company. You may have a group go through an online training platform for restaurants and another do an in-depth training on sales. Providing specialized training during onboarding will give your new employee the needed tools to excel in the position.
These key elements will help ensure a successful onboarding for new employees. New employees will be able to begin their positions with a solid understanding of their roles, how to navigate in the new organization and where to turn for additional support when needed.