When it comes to onboarding new employees, many organizations focus primarily on the essential paperwork: completing W-4 forms, signing off on the employee handbook, and setting up direct deposit. While these tasks are crucial, they represent only a fraction of what a successful onboarding process should entail.
To truly engage new hires and set them up for success, it’s important to go beyond the paperwork and incorporate elements that foster a deeper connection with the company.
What Should Onboarding Include Beyond Paperwork?
Welcome orientation
A welcome orientation provides an overview of the company’s mission, values, culture, and organizational structure. This is an opportunity to introduce new hires to the company’s vision and how they fit into the bigger picture. A virtual tour of the office, if applicable, can also help remote employees feel more connected.
Role-specific training
Every new hire needs role-specific training to understand the tools, systems, and processes they’ll be using daily. This includes not only the technical aspects of their job but also the expectations, key performance indicators (KPIs), and best practices that will guide their work.
Mentorship programs
Pairing new hires with a mentor can help them acclimate more quickly to the company culture and their new role. Mentors can provide guidance, answer questions, and serve as a sounding board during the first few weeks and months on the job.
Team integration activities
Facilitate new hires’ team integration through introductions, team-building activities, and social events. These activities help new employees build relationships and feel more connected to their colleagues.
Access to resources
Ensure new hires have easy access to necessary resources, such as the company intranet, directories, and learning management systems (LMS). Providing these tools upfront helps employees find the information they need without feeling overwhelmed.
Career development discussions
Early discussions about career development can be highly motivating for new hires. Outline potential career paths within the company, available training programs, and opportunities for professional growth.
Feedback mechanisms
Establish a system for collecting feedback from new hires about their onboarding experience. This feedback can be invaluable for continually refining and improving your onboarding process.
Tactics to Tailor the Onboarding Experience
Personalizing the onboarding experience can significantly enhance a new hire’s transition into the company, making them feel valued and connected from the start. Here are some effective ways to add a personal touch to your digital onboarding process:
Customize Welcome Pages
Create a welcome page on your digital onboarding platform that reflects your company’s brand and culture. Include a personalized welcome message from the CEO or department head and embed a video that introduces the new hire to the company’s mission and values. This initial touchpoint sets a positive tone and helps new hires feel immediately welcomed.
Personalize Onboarding Paths
Tailor the onboarding process to each employee’s role and department. Use digital tools to create personalized onboarding paths that guide new hires through the specific training, resources, and introductions they need based on their job function. This ensures that each new hire receives relevant and focused support.
Incorporate Interactive Content
Incorporate interactive elements such as FlippingBooks, gamified training modules, and virtual tours into the onboarding process. These tools make the experience more engaging and help new hires absorb important information in a more enjoyable way.
Conduct Regular Check-ins
Schedule regular check-ins with new hires during their first few months. These can be informal, one-on-one meetings with managers or mentors to discuss progress, address any concerns, and provide additional support. Personalized attention helps new employees feel valued and connected to their team.
Provide Welcome Kits
Consider sending a personalized welcome kit to new hires that includes company swag, a handwritten welcome note, and any materials they might need for their first day. This physical touchpoint, even in a digital onboarding process, can create a memorable experience.
Facilitate Tailored Communication
Use your digital onboarding platform to send personalized messages and reminders to new hires. Whether it’s a note congratulating them on completing their first week or a reminder about an upcoming training session, personalized communication shows that you’re paying attention to their journey.
From Paperwork to Personal Connection
By going beyond the basic paperwork and incorporating personalized elements into your onboarding process, you can create a more engaging and effective experience for new hires. With the right approach, your digital onboarding process can become a powerful tool for building strong, lasting relationships with your new team members.
For more insights on how to personalize your onboarding process or to explore digital solutions that can help, connect with CBIZ Human Capital Management.
© Copyright CBIZ, Inc. All rights reserved. Use of the material contained herein without the express written consent of the firms is prohibited by law. This publication is distributed with the understanding that CBIZ is not rendering legal, accounting or other professional advice. The reader is advised to contact a tax professional prior to taking any action based upon this information. CBIZ assumes no liability whatsoever in connection with the use of this information and assumes no obligation to inform the reader of any changes in tax laws or other factors that could affect the information contained herein. Material contained in this publication is informational and promotional in nature and not intended to be specific financial, tax or consulting advice. Readers are advised to seek professional consultation regarding circumstances affecting their organization.
“CBIZ” is the brand name under which CBIZ CPAs P.C. and CBIZ, Inc. and its subsidiaries, including CBIZ Advisors, LLC, provide professional services. CBIZ CPAs P.C. and CBIZ, Inc. (and its subsidiaries) practice as an alternative practice structure in accordance with the AICPA Code of Professional Conduct and applicable law, regulations, and professional standards. CBIZ CPAs P.C. is a licensed independent CPA firm that provides attest services to its clients. CBIZ, Inc. and its subsidiary entities provide tax, advisory, and consulting services to their clients. CBIZ, Inc. and its subsidiary entities are not licensed CPA firms and, therefore, cannot provide attest services.
