Being intentional about making them feel part of your team from the get-go sets the tone for a successful working relationship. Consider the following ideas:
1. Give Them Access to Your Internal Wiki
Before welcoming your recruit on their first day, it is vital that you set up their virtual workspace so that they can easily access all the information they need.
Following your welcome email, you can send them a link to your company’s internal wiki, which will contain all the resources they need, including company policies, how-to tutorials for internal software, technical notes, and training and onboarding documents. You can also add all their login information to the necessary applications they will be using and help them create their profiles.
Doing all these before they officially start will help them hit the ground running and feel more comfortable in their new role.
2. Introduce Them to the Team
Now that they have logged in and familiarized themselves with the company’s systems and policies, it is time to introduce them to the rest of the pack.
You can start by leveraging your dedicated welcome Microsoft Teams or Slack channel to introduce the recruit to the team and allow everyone to say hello.
If you use video conferencing tools, consider setting up a welcome meeting for the entire team to attend. Although a video call does not replicate an in-person interaction, it will help the new hire see everyone’s faces and better understand the company culture. You can start with members of the team or department they will be working with most closely to have a less intimidating first interaction.
In addition, try to make the interaction as warm and casual as possible. Utilize fun team-building platforms to break the ice and make everyone feel more comfortable.
3. Leverage Employee Onboarding Software
If you are looking for a more straightforward and efficient way to onboard new employees, consider using employee onboarding software.
These tools help both managers and recruits by streamlining the entire process and making it more organized and less time-consuming. With most of these platforms, you can personalize your onboarding plan to match your company’s needs, culture, and values.
Additionally, some of these software solutions come with a knowledge base feature, which can be very helpful in getting recruits up to speed quickly. Lastly, these tools can help you avoid missing essential compliance steps during the onboarding process.
4. Assign an Onboarding Buddy
Joining an unfamiliar environment can be intimidating. A great way to make your newcomer feel less anxious is to assign a friendly onboarding buddy.
This is an experienced team member who will be their go-to person for all things related to their job and who can help them navigate the ins and outs of your company culture. They can answer any questions the new hire may have and provide support as they settle in.
Designate someone who is not a direct supervisor, as the new hire may feel uncomfortable asking questions or seeking help from their boss. Assign a patient and friendly peer knowledgeable about your company’s processes.
Alternatively, you can use a Slack app called Donut to automate this process.
5. Schedule Regular Check-Ins
In a remote setting, you are not just going to randomly run into your new employee in the break room and chat about how their weekend was. You need to be proactive in maintaining communication with your team.
You can schedule regular check-ins, for example, every two weeks. This will allow you to monitor their progress and know if they are hitting any snags.
Furthermore, you can make it fun and boost rapport within your team with frequent virtual coffee breaks. You can play team-building games like two truths and a lie, or would you rather. These activities help everyone get to know each other better and make working together more enjoyable.
Lastly, invite them to your virtual water cooler channels, where people can have more informal conversations about any topic that help them feel like they are part of the team.
6. Schedule a Meeting With IT
Considering that cyberattacks are on the rise, it is essential to ensure that your new hire is well-versed in your company’s IT security protocols. Schedule a meeting with your IT team (or department) to introduce the new hire to the company’s cybersecurity measures. This will help them understand what they need to do to access relevant servers and tools, and keep company data safe.
They can also use this opportunity to develop a list of potential technical issues they may have and prepare for them in advance. This can include anything from having a backup plan for their internet connection to learning how to enable remote assistance on their computer to allow IT to quickly resolve any issues they may have.
7. Encourage Them to Join Employee Resource Groups
Employee resource groups (ERGs) are voluntary organizations of employees who share a common interest, identity, or experience. These groups can include but are not limited to ethnicity, gender, lifestyle, and religious affiliation, and they are a valuable resource to promote inclusion and diversity in the workplace.
Joining an employee resource group provides newcomers with an excellent opportunity to get to know people within the company who share similar backgrounds and experiences. Additionally, it can help them feel at ease and connected to the company culture.
8. Offer Constructive Feedback
It is essential to give positive and constructive feedback once they start working on projects. This will help them understand what you expect of them and provide them with the opportunity to improve their skills.
Moreover, it shows that you are invested in their development and committed to helping them grow within the company.
Elevate Your Onboarding Plan for Better Employee Retention and Productivity
The first few weeks are crucial for a new employee’s integration into the company. By taking the time to onboard them properly, you can set them up for success and ensure that they stick around for long.
Improving your onboarding plan will make your new hires feel comfortable and confident in their new role, which leads to better employee retention rates and increased productivity.
