Ways to improve and optimise your onboarding strategy
To ensure new employees fully immerse themselves into your business culture, and engage with their new role, it is important to provide a seamless and friendly onboarding process. By taking these recommended steps, you can ensure that things move efficiently, from the job offer stage to induction.
1. Keep in touch
To ensure your candidate is receiving the right support, keep in touch. Let them know you are happy to help them with any queries, or support with notice periods or counter offers. We often suggest that you give the candidate a call within 48 hours to inform them of how happy you are that they are coming on board, and perhaps offer for them to visit the office beforehand to meet the team. This will help them transition fluidly to become an engaged part of your team.
2. Send the offer letter
The best way to secure the candidates commitment early on, and engage them straight away, is to not delay in sending the offer letter. Our advice is always to email the candidate on the day the offer is made outlining confirmation of the offer. Let them know that a written offer is on the way, either via post, email or both. Ensure that this is with them as soon as possible.
3. Induction and Introduction
On the first day of employment, give a tour of the office or building so that the new employee can feel at ease and become familiar with their workspace. If they are working remotely, set up a team video call to welcome them, perhaps including a short ‘get to know you’ session. Ensure the employee has access to thorough training, whether this is a formal induction, a video, or one to one mentoring. Depending on the role they have been hired for, decide when their duties officially begin, and have someone available to them to answer any questions they might have, and if possible, offer some one-to-one mentoring.
It is estimated that 60% of UK workers experience imposter syndrome connected to their work accomplishments. This can often be triggered by a new role, or increased responsibility at work, which is why it is key to implement a successful onboarding strategy. By practising the methods shown above, not only are candidates more likely to engage and flourish in their new role, but also reduce feelings of inadequacy and self-doubt. Some other methods to help combat feelings of imposter syndrome include:
- Recognising you are experiencing imposter syndrome is the first step to combating it. Identify your unhealthy thinking patterns, and use cognitive behavioural therapy methods to challenge negative thoughts.
- Asking for support when you need it is a sign of strength,not weakness. Struggling in silence can be very isolating in the workplace, so be sure to speak out to avoid a build up of work and worry.
- Try to refrain from negative self-talk, instead regarding learning experiences as growth instead of shortfall.
In addition to recognising feelings of self-doubt within yourself, there are also steps you can take as an employer to become more aware:
- If you can, encourage a healthy work/life balance for employees. By creating a safe and nurturing work environment, colleagues will feel more comfortable opening up about vulnerabilities, and maintaining a healthy balance will reduce risks of employees overworking and burning out.
- By adopting mentoring and coaching practices, you can help those new to the workforce to feel supported by more experienced colleagues.
- By keeping an eye on new colleagues who seem to be struggling, you can combat the early signs of imposter syndrome. Look for warning signs, such as withdrawal from team interactions, in order to support and address the issue.
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Just for LOLS
Jobs we’re glad aren’t a thing anymore…
Hacker
We wish we could tell you that hackers (computer hackers, that is!) no longer exist, but unfortunately, these working men were more handy with trees than HPs. Hackers were known as woodcutters, and were axed, yet again, due to technological advancements.
Fun Fact
Someone who suffers from “anatidaephobia” believes that somewhere, somehow a duck or goose is constantly watching them