How to Get New Employees Off to a Great Start

Hiring and training new employees is not only time-consuming, it’s also costly. That’s why, when you bring someone aboard, you should be doing all you can to make it a great start. First impressions go a long way, and if you can get that new hire off to a great start, you will have a much greater chance of having them stick around.

Here are some ways that can help you get your new employees off to a great start:

Celebrate their arrival. Most employers have a going-away party, but you should throw welcome parties. This will help set the tone, make your new employees feel special, and give everyone a chance to meet the new team members.

Advance notice. Let your new employees know ahead of time if there’s anything they should be aware of: where to park, your smoking policy, how to dress. This can help prevent uncomfortable situations from arising.

Be prepared. Before they start work, have all the paperwork done. The first day should be about meeting people and getting integrated, not doing paperwork. You should also have the materials in place that they will need to do their job, like business cards.

Be there. Greet them as soon as they come in. Then start taking them around for a tour and to meet people. And in addition to being there, make sure you greet the person by name, and act as if you were eagerly awaiting their arrival. The new employee will not feel very valued if they walk in and have to explain who they are and why they are there.

Heads up. Let the new employee know what to expect that day. It’s weird enough starting a new job, but when you add not knowing what to expect all day, it can make matters worse. Let them know how you see the day playing out.

Time matters. Especially on the first day, try to avoid keeping them late. As it is, they have taken in a lot and will need some time to decompress. The last thing they need is to have to put in extra time when they’re just starting.

Pair up. Trying pairing up the new employee with someone who knows the company well and is a good role model within your business. That way, there will be a dedicated person the new hires can go to when they have questions. And that buddy can also try to help them feel more at ease along the way.

Go easy. Especially on the first day, avoid information overload. Too much information given to the new employee at once will just overwhelm them. On the first day, keep it simple. You will have plenty of time later for loading your new employee up with information. The first day is not the time for that.

Follow up. At the end of the first day or week, ask the new employee for feedback to see how they feel about the position, how they are settling in, and whether there’s anything they need.

Settling in. One of the most important things you can do to get employees off to a great start is to give them the proper training they need to do the job you’ve hired them to do. Many people leave positions because they feel they’re not receiving the proper training, which can make someone feel overwhelmed and stressed out.