Starting a new role can be very exciting, but also very stressful. New hires need to adjust to so much and to take in so much information in a very short period of time. Just ask anyone who has recently started a new role – it can be exhausting and overwhelming! Help reduce some of the stress and ambiguity for your new hire by being very mindful of the orientation process. Here are 5 ways to make sure your new hire feels welcome:
Provide Information in Advance
One week before new hires start, you can send them a quick guide to help orient them to their new organization. This can include tips on where to park, an organizational chart, and a list of restaurants & coffee shops near the office. You can also provide some general company information like the previous year’s annual report or links to any articles about the organization.
Set-Up
Sort out the employee’s technology before she starts. Make sure the employee has an email account and is added to any group lists she should be on. Have instructions for setting up voicemail, creating an e-mail signature and accessing shared drives on her desk. Be sure the new employee’s work space is ready. This includes cleaning out the drawers (this is often overlooked) and making sure she has office supplies.
Training
Whether it’s formal or informal, be sure to have your new hire’s training needs determined and arranged in advance of their first day. Make sure the learning goals are clear so the new employee knows what is expected.
The Lingo
If your industry and organization utilize a lot of technical terms and acronyms, then it’s helpful to create a list of those terms for the new hire. Also, keep those terms in mind during conversations and meetings the first few weeks so you can offer explanations as they arise.
Introductions
Be sure to give the new employee a tour and to introduce him to as many employees as possible, particularly the ones he’ll be working with. Ideally, the new employee will have lunch with the team and/or his boss the first day. If it’s appropriate and consistent with your company’s culture, then you can have a mentor or buddy for the new employee.
One best practice for continually enhancing your orientation process is to ask recent hires what they felt was helpful or perhaps lacking and then use that feedback to improve in the future. An effective orientation can help ensure that the new hire is ready to do their job and add value as quickly as possible.
What are some ways you help new hires to feel welcome?
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