By Chris Hillman, Recruiting Professional
SearchPath of Chicago, Inc.
searchpathofchicago.com
The recruiting process for any candidate is their first glimpse into the company – the people, goals, mission, roles, culture and more. However, it’s no secret that recruiting is essentially a sales process and everyone is putting their best foot forward during the recruiting process. But where to candidates see the real company first? During onboarding.
Employee onboarding is the key to ensuring that the relationship starts off on the right foot and sets everyone up for success. How someone gets onboarded and brought into your company is crucial for their job satisfaction and ultimately their retention with your company. Here are some tips to keep in mind when thinking about employee onboarding:
Onboarding isn’t just an activity, it’s an experience
Everybody has seen the ‘Onboarding’ meeting on calendars but onboarding just isn’t one or two meetings and trainings, it’s an entire experience. It’s not a snapshot of time that defines the onboarding but everything involved from introductions to meetings to lunches and setting up their office space. All of it should be reflective of the culture and team and be seen as an ongoing process and not just one thing.
It’s more than just a week or a few weeks
Yes, onboarding schedules tend to be structured and last 3-4 weeks until someone is trained or “set off on their own” but truly being incorporated into the company takes months. It can take employees 6 months to become truly proficient in their role, and only then can you assume that an employee is truly onboarded.
Be prepared well in advance
Ensuring that everything is ready for an employee prior to them starting creates positive energy and signifies to the new employee that everything is running smoothly. If everything is in order, they can start without a hitch instead of waiting for things to be organized and scheduled.
Promote connections within the company
The best way for new employees to get to know the company is for them to get to know the people. Encourage coffee and lunch breaks with other employees. Setup support chats for easy questions and answers. Maybe even “buddy” them up with another employee so they have someone they can reach out to anytime.
Ultimately, how you onboard a new employee will set them up for success at your company. You decided they were a great fit for your company and made them an hire and they accepted, don’t let the first real impression they gain of your organization to fall short. Ensure they feel welcome, are trained well, have clear communication and understand their impact and the company’s culture from the beginning in order to drive job satisfaction and retention.
For additional information, please email Chris Hillman or call (815) 261-4403 x 100