Top Employee Onboarding Techniques

Hey there fellow learning and development managers!

I’m here to chat about the joys of onboarding new recruits.

I mean, let’s be real, finding the right talent can be a challenge in itself, but getting them up to speed and invested in the company is a whole other ball game.

Luckily, knowing the ins-and-outs of a great employee onboarding is literally my day job, so I’ve got some tips to make this process smoother and fun. Let’s dive in!

1. Know Your Staff

Now, I know you’ve got their legal name, job title, and years of experience. But what about the rest? It’s time to get personal. Building connections with your employees is key to keeping them around long-term. So, take the time to get to know them as people. When you know what makes them tick, it’s easier to manage and motivate them.

2. Make the Most Out of the First Day

We all know first impressions are everything. So, let’s make sure they leave their first day feeling like they made the right choice. Have a structured plan for the day that includes introductions to all the key players they’ll be working with. Give them a tour of the office or facilities and set up their workstation ahead of time so they can hit the ground running. And don’t forget to explain the company’s core values and how their role fits into achieving them.

3. Get Them Involved Early On

It’s time to throw them into the deep end! Assign them tasks on their first day, set up regular check-ins or shadowing sessions with more experienced staff members. The more immersed they are in the day-to-day workings of the company, the more ownership they’ll feel over their role. And that sense of responsibility is essential to ensuring long-term engagement.

4. Set Clear Expectations

No one likes surprises. So, set clear expectations from the very beginning. Be upfront about what’s expected of them in terms of job duties, workload, deadlines and deliverables. And don’t forget to set expectations around company culture. Clarity on these matters will ensure that everyone is on the same page from day one.

5. Provide Ongoing Training and Development

Onboarding doesn’t end on their first day. It’s an ongoing journey that should continue throughout their time with the company. Invest in ongoing training and development. Assign mentors or offer shadowing opportunities. And don’t forget about e-learning and seminars.

6. Leverage Induction Platforms

Induction platforms are online tools that can be used to streamline the onboarding process. They typically include things like e-learning modules, video content, quizzes and task lists. They can be accessed anytime, anywhere – which means employees can complete them at their own pace, on their own time. This is especially helpful for businesses with remote employees or those who have a high turnover rate. I know I’m biased since I literally work for a company that offers this, but I genuinely believe that these days, it’s a MUST HAVE.

In conclusion, finding, hiring and onboarding new talent has always been a notoriously difficult and time-consuming task. But by following these tips, you can set your new employees up for success from day one. So, let’s make this onboarding process a little more enjoyable, shall we?