Key Points:
- When you recruit a new employee, it is important that you allow them to review your website and job description before the interview.
- It is normal for an employee to receive important documentation days before their new position begins.
- A creative onboarding plan can be just as effective if done correctly, so it is important to understand what the majority of employees really look for in this process.
An employee onboarding plan refers to the process in which new hires are integrated into an organization. This process is comprehensive, involving management and other employees, and can last up to a year. Employee onboarding plans include activities and information that will educate new hires and set them up for success.
Typical Onboarding Setup
The new employee onboarding process is systematic and purposeful, aiming to transform new hires with great potential into top-performing employees. A bad onboarding experience can lead to high employee turnover. The following are the most typical and common steps in an employee onboarding plan:
1. Recruitment
Recruitment is considered the earliest stage of onboarding. When you recruit a new employee, it is important that you allow them to review your website and job description before their initial interview. Interviews are commonly set up in multiple stages, and in one of these stages the employee is often given a quiz or task to complete in order to test their abilities related to the job description.
During this part of the process, be transparent about your company policies and culture. Inform recruits about scheduling policies, benefits, PTO, sick time, and remote work opportunities. If hired, include an in-depth offer letter as well as an initial offer phone call. Allow the employee the opportunity to ask questions and negotiate the offer if needed.
2. Early Onboarding
It is normal for an employee to receive important documentation days before their new position begins. The information that they are provided with during early onboarding is usually an itinerary for their first day, checklists of things they must complete, and a full welcome email restating the offer and job position. This documentation can be discussed on their first day if needed, but should be given to them with enough time to review before that day comes.
3. First Day
Prepare accordingly for your employee’s first day. Have their desk set up with a welcome gift and all the tools that they will need to successfully complete their job tasks. The first 30 minutes of their day should be spent with their direct manager or their specific department team. A new employee’s first day is typically when they go through orientation. Note that onboarding and orientation are not the same.
Orientation occurs within the onboarding process, and it is when multiple employees and department managers meet with new hires and answer any questions that may come up. They will be presented with important information on benefits, schedule, job requirements, company history, etc.
4. Ongoing Onboarding
Onboarding can continue anywhere from two weeks to one year. Throughout this time, it is important to establish regular tasks and goals for your new hire. The best place to start is with their first project of assignment, and then go from there.
What Do New Employees Want in an Onboarding Plan?
The typical layout for new employee onboarding is similar across most companies. But, recently there has been talk about adjusting the process to be more entertaining for new hires. A creative onboarding plan can be just as effective if done correctly, so it is important to understand what the majority of employees really look for in this process.
According to a LinkedIn study, 72% of new hires say they want 1-on-1 time with the direct manager, and 67% want an outline of performance goals. Studying this information, we can see that new hires are more interested in learning and being prepared for their new position. This doesn’t dismiss the fact that it could be more engaging and memorable for a new employee to have a more interactive onboarding plan. But, that plan must consist of meaningful information regarding their new job role.
Onboarding with SentricHR
Onboarding is an important process for your new hire. It is their first impression of your company and the employees in it. SentricHR makes your onboarding plan simple with automated, paperless documentation that you can provide to new hires before their first day.
