With the massive shift to remote work, onboarding new hires has become an even more critical stage in the hiring process. Lack of attention to this process can lead to increased staff turnover. These four methods will help you make onboarding more effective.
1. Build personal relationships
Videoconferencing with colleagues and management is not always included in the digital adaptation process, even though they play an essential role in it. Video calls for one-on-one communication with managers and team leaders are a good practice. At the same time, not all conversations should be about work. Talking about abstract and everyday topics helps to recreate the office atmosphere of the “water cooler talk” and help develop a sense of camaraderie.
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2. Think like a new employee
Most onboarding programs seem like a long list of tasks, especially when done alone in a remote work environment. A teamwork approach to onboarding and mentoring facilitates this process by showing the newcomer how important he/she is to the team, increasing confidence, and keeping him/her motivated.
3. Get ready for the arrival of a new employee
Do not rush to immediately make a newbie step into existing projects. The beginning always requires careful preparation. You should devote some time to the new employee's immersion in the company's culture and values, which can be difficult to convey in the virtual space. Another important step is to ensure that the new employee has everything they need to effectively set up a remote office and know who to turn to for help.
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4. Digitize the process
One of the reasons why new hires do not have high hopes regarding the onboarding programs is the belief that this red tape is not directly related to their work. Therefore, it is worthwhile to prioritize tasks, shorten instructions as much as possible, and provide them digitally so that new employees can complete everything online and get back to them when necessary.
High-quality virtual adaptation is vital for a business because it helps a new employee feel like a team member. A study by the Wynhurst Group says that 60% of well-adapted employees most often worked in the same company after three years, which might not have happened without a positive experience at the initial stage.
