There is a roller coaster ride of emotions that we have all experienced when beginning a new job. The tension of interviewing combined with excitement over the job offer is a draining experience and often repeats itself on the first day of the new job. The new hire is not the only one riding this emotional roller coaster. Often, managers are also on board with the disarray of emotions they experience on the first day of your job. This can easily be avoided if proper planning and preparation take place beforehand.
As a manager, you only have one chance to make a first impression with new employees. Successful employee on-boarding is the most critical step in making a positive first impression. It is shown that the new hire’s experience in the early days of the job can determine their level of satisfaction with the position and company. Happy new hires, relaxed managers, and an increase in productivity, will likely be the results of a well-executed and pleasant on-boarding experience.
Have tedious paper work completed before the first day. Avoid spoiling the day by having the new employee busy with filling out form after form or reading your employee handbook. This can easily be done ahead of time by making the forms and handbook available online, this way, the new hire can take care of all the “busy work” at their own convenience.
Ensure that your new employee will feel comfortable their first day by having their work space completely set up before they enter. In order to avoid unnecessary time wasting as well, check that all components of their new “home” are in order. Make certain that they have their desk set up with a working computer, phone, voicemail, email address, and that they are well stocked with office supplies.
As the manager, you need to be your new hire’s “tour guide” and “translator. New employees are strangers in a foreign land and will need extra assistance in the beginning of the new job. If you are too busy that first week, the new hire will likely feel lost and lonely. Make sure that your calendar is cleared up for the few days on on-boarding in order that you can give the new hire undivided attention.
Assigning a mentor to the new hire will make the on-boarding experience more pleasant. Learning from an associate will give the new hire many benefits. They will be able advance at a quicker pace without learning everything the “hard way” and the mentor can help the new hire become adjusted to the company and new position. This colleague should be made available to assist the new hire for the first 3 months of the job. However, the mentor should not take the place of the manager during the first week of on-boarding.
Incorporating the above ideas when bringing in a new employee will help form a great on-boarding program. Make orientation and paper work available ahead of time. Prepare the new employee’s desk and workspace before the first day. Make yourself available to give extra guidance during the first week and assign a colleague as a mentor to help the new employee adapt easily. Having a system in order will help avoid the extra stress that can often come when bringing in a new hire.
