As we fast approach the end of the year (the next few weeks will go by in a flash!), it’s a time when many people think about a change. “New year, new me” and all that. And no matter how seasoned we are in our careers, starting over is daunting, even for the most confident among us.

As a company, it’s of paramount importance that you ease your new starter in gently; you’ll have worked hard to build a company culture, and you’ll want to ensure your new employee can find their own place within it and fit right in.

One of the most important things for a new starter is your employee onboarding experience, so read on for our top tips for onboarding like a pro.

Checklist

Create a checklist of things that they’ll need to do upon starting – don’t bombard them with too much (less paperwork, more personal) but see those first few weeks or so as a chance to meet key team members, get a feel for your environment, and settle themselves in. A checklist gives a solid structure to what can often seem like a daunting start and will make sure you’ve got everything covered.

Good: Structured checklists, spread out over a few days.

Bad: Leaving them to their own devices.

Ugly: Forgetting your new starter is starting! (and getting their name wrong. Yes, that’s happened!)

Ready, Set, Go!

Before your new starters’ first day, ask one of your team to take responsibility for making sure they have everything they need. There’s nothing worse than a new employee arriving with no desk, the wrong equipment or your IT department not setting them up so they can’t even access their computer. We’ve even heard stories of people needing to assemble their chairs before they can sit down to work. Talk about pressure!

Good: Plan ahead

Bad: Not notifying IT

Ugly: Making them build their own chair!

Buddy Up

It’s always nice to make a new friend or two on the first day so ask if someone within your team is willing to show them around. They may seem simple, but showing your new starter where the restrooms are and where the tea and coffee facilities are hiding can often go overlooked. Also, remember to discuss your company’s policy on lunchtime, parking, and even how to access the building. (Seriously, we’ve heard so many horror stories)! Again, it might all sound relatively simple, but it’s the little things that help a new member of your team to feel more at ease and encourage them to return the next day (yep, that’s a thing, too!). In fact, according to HCI, buddy programs boost new hire efficiency by a staggering 87%, yet less than 47% of companies include them.

Good: Buddy them up.

Bad: Forgetting to show them where the toilet is.

Ugly: Leaving them to eat lunch alone!

Go That Extra Mile

Whilst a week might sound like a long enough time to onboard a new starter, in truth, it really isn’t! Did you know that great onboarding can improve employee retention by up to 82%?! A week simply isn’t long enough for your new starter to get to grips with their team, the culture, processes and policies, as well as getting stuck into their jobs.

Good: Onboard for longer than a week.

Bad: Onboard for a day or so.

Ugly: Saying hi on the first day and leaving them to it.

Ahead Of The Pack

Whether you send it ahead of their first day or have it waiting for them on their desk, a new starter Swagpack™ goes a long way and not only arms them with everything they need; it acts as a warm welcome too. Little things like a mug, a flask, a notebook, a pen, a lanyard, and even a sweet treat!

Good: Sending them a Swagpack™.

Bad: Forgetting to show them where the coffee machine is.

Ugly: Making a cuppa for yourself and not them!

Team Effort

Get everyone involved, plan a team lunch on the first day (remember that first day of school feeling!), and remind them that it takes time to settle in. It’s also a good idea to ask your current employees and colleagues what they think makes a good onboarding experience and what they wish they knew when they first started.

Good:  Get the whole team on board.

Bad: Leaving them to figure it out themselves.

Ugly: Not inviting them to lunch!

Don’t Forget: Feeling At Home

With a rise in people working from home, your employee onboarding may take place from a distance! Remote onboarding is nothing new, but it’s essential to create a structure that works well virtually. We have an entire blog post that focuses on the virtual world of employee onboarding – to help you onboard like a pro!

Good, no, great onboarding counts for so much and could be the make or break for your new starter. Don’t forget to tick all the boxes.