Helping a New Hire Get Off to a Good Start

Posted by Eric Friedman

Helping new employees get off to a good start can have big benefits for the company as well as the new hire. In addition to increasing morale, it can save the company money and time, increasing the productivity of the new hire as well as the whole team.

Since not understanding what is expected and a lack of proper training are common reasons for employees to leave, putting the effort into starting a new hire off right can save the company the cost of finding another new hire. In addition, misunderstanding of job functions or company policies can result in lost revenue.

The best approach starts at the job interview, where company expectations for the position should be made as clear as possible. A detailed description of the job functions can help determine whether it’s a good fit, from both sides of the hiring equation.

On a new employee’s first day, providing all the relevant material should be made available, including:

• a written description of the position’s responsibilities, outlining current and future objectives
• the company mission statement and general philosophy
• current company brochures
• information about the company’s history
• an organizational chart that shows how the new position fits into the whole
• names and contact information for staff members, along with their areas of responsibility
• all of the necessary administration and benefit forms

Make yourself available on the first day, as much as possible: allow enough time for a real orientation meeting, and give the new employee your undivided attention during it.

Give the new hire an opportunity to meet coworkers, specifically those he or she will be working closely with. Set up a meeting in which current employees share about their roles, and how they will interact with the new hire. You could also assign a “buddy” or mentor for the new hire, someone they can go to for more information or help.

It’s important to provide ongoing orientation and training, as needed, to help the new hire become competent and comfortable in a new job. Be sure to also set up regular check-ins for the employee, since adjusting to a new job is an ongoing process.