When you’re bringing new hires into your workplace, onboarding is a critical step to ensure their success. Often, employers understand the need to handle specific new hire-related actions, such as collecting essential paperwork. However, many may not realize precisely how onboarding, in a broader sense, can fit into the overall hiring process. As a result, they struggle to identify an optimal point for it to take place.
Like many parts of the hiring process, onboarding is usually multiphasic. Additionally, it should typically begin far earlier than many companies expect. If you’re trying to figure out how to fit onboarding into your process to ensure the maximum benefit, here’s an overview.
Pre-First Day Onboarding
Often, companies have lengthy lists of requirements that come along with securing a new hire. They need to handle any payroll requirements and ensure they’ll have access to critical systems and tools, as well as ensure that the incoming employee has access to the information in the employee handbook.
While some companies wait until the new hire starts their first day to handle the tasks above, that’s often less than ideal. It can make an incoming employee’s initial days on the job tedious. As a result, it’s typically best to complete these tasks in advance.
By providing the new hire with access to an onboarding platform or digital versions of any required documents, they can complete them during the weeks leading up to their first day. With that approach, the incoming employee’s first day can focus on other areas, which can boost engagement.
Additionally, by not requiring steps at this phase that can create points of friction – such as the creation of a login – you’re simplifying the journey for the incoming employee. Then, you can handle access rights between the completion of the documents and the first day, leading to a streamlined experience.
First Day Onboarding
Once your new hire arrives on the first day, the goal should be culture introduction and familiarization. While you may need to have them participate in certain mandatory training – such as safety-oriented courses – ensuring that they’re given the opportunity to meet with their manager and colleagues, tour areas of the workplace they’ll need, and take similar steps increases their comfort level.
Introducing a simple aspect of the job on day one can also get the incoming employee into a productivity mindset quickly. Beginning with a single task gets the ball rolling. Just make sure that the new hire is assigned a buddy or another point of contact to ensure they can get questions answered fast.
Ongoing Onboarding
After the employee’s first day, it’s time for any ongoing onboarding. Ideally, they should meet with their manager to discuss a long-term plan, including the steps they’ll take along the way and any expectations. This centers their efforts on priorities while also letting them know how success is measured.
An incremental approach set up over weeks or months is typically best, as it avoids overwhelming the incoming employee. The pace can be adjusted based on their performance, but the goal should always be reaching full productivity in a timely manner while reducing friction.
Bottom Line
In the end, having a well-timed onboarding process is essential for new hire success. By integrating it into the experience correctly, your company can make a better first impression. Plus, it ensures incoming employees are set up for success, increasing the odds that they’ll turn into productive and engaged, long-term employees.
If you want to streamline your onboarding process through the introduction of technology, Essium’s solutions can help. Contact us to learn more about how our onboarding technology can benefit your staffing agency
