While many new hires are excited to start a new job, the experience is also daunting for many. This is particularly true for remote workers. When working remotely, incoming employees don’t get the benefit of being physically near experienced workers, making it hard to ask quick questions while learning their duties.
Since that’s the case, companies need to have an exceptional virtual onboarding experience. Ultimately, the onboarding process that will lay the foundation for the new hire. If you want to make sure your approach puts them on the path toward success, here are some tips for creating an excellent virtual onboarding experience.
Begin Onboarding Before Day One
With a typical onboarding process – virtual or in-person – the first day usually involves a lot of paperwork. Employees have to fill out payroll forms, sign off on technology policies, and otherwise navigate a mountain of documents before they can get started with their duties. Often, this makes the onboarding process incredibly dull.
If you have the chance, see if your new hire can start the onboarding process before their first official day. By having them tackle the paperwork in advance, you can ensure their initial time on the job isn’t bogged down by tedium. Plus, it may make it easier to secure them the equipment and access they need before they begin in the role, ensuring they aren’t left with nothing to do simply because critical new hire paperwork is still being processed.
Set Up Video Meet and Greets
In many cases, a significant part of the in-person onboarding process is meeting team members and other key personnel that work for the company. While there may have been some initial email introductions once the new hire stepped into the role, setting up video meet and greets with all of the critical players is a smart move.
When new hires can put faces to names, it helps them feel more connected. Plus, video meet and greets can encourage some light conversation and spontaneous questions, making it easier for the new hire to develop a rapport.
Ideally, you want to have the teammate video call as soon as possible. Then, find times during the first week for the new hire to meet other colleagues. If possible, schedule a video meet in greet with the head of the company or your department, as having a chance to engage with a company leader can help your company make a great impression.
Have a Formal Itinerary (and Expectations)
With remote onboarding, structure and clear expectations are critical. They let the new hire know how their first weeks on the job will unfold and what they’ll need to accomplish, eliminating a significant amount of ambiguity that would otherwise impact the process.
Ideally, the itinerary will introduce the new hire to various workplace traditions. For example, if you have daily standups, make sure that’s on the new hire’s calendar. That will help them acclimate to common tasks, ensuring they feel included.
Bottom Line
Today, onboarding is as important as ever, ensuring new hires have what they need to get settled and ultimately thrive. By using the right approaches – including those outlined above – you can improve your virtual onboarding experience dramatically, ensuring your remote and hybrid team members reach full productivity and achieve job satisfaction as quickly as possible.
If you don’t know where to begin, Essium’s technology can help, allowing you to streamline your hiring and onboarding processes. Contact us to learn more about how our systems can benefit your staffing agency.
