A great onboarding experience sets the tone for an employee's entire tenure. A poor one can lead to early turnover. Here's how to get it right.
Before Day One
- Send welcome communications
- Complete paperwork digitally
- Set up accounts and equipment
- Inform the team about the new hire
- Assign a buddy or mentor
Week One
- Warm welcome from manager and team
- Office tour (or virtual equivalent)
- IT setup and system access
- Company overview and culture introduction
- Role expectations and initial goals
First 30 Days
- Regular check-ins with manager
- Meetings with key stakeholders
- Product/service training
- First small wins and projects
- Feedback collection
Common Onboarding Mistakes
- Information overload on day one
- No clear 30/60/90 day plan
- Leaving new hires to figure things out alone
- Skipping culture and values
- Not asking for feedback
Measuring Success
Track new hire satisfaction, time to productivity, and first-year retention to evaluate and improve your onboarding program.