The first day at work is both a daunting and critical moment since both employees and organisations are trying their best to make a great first impression.
From the perspective of the employer, the first day and week are critical in terms of setting the tone. The new employees will join your existing team and get their first look into the workings and culture of your company.
All in all, it’s in your best interest to make your new employees feel welcome, to set a great first impression and to reassure them that they made the right decision. Check out our top 10 handy tips on how to do that well:
Have their workspace ready
If your new employee shows up and discovers that the company isn’t technically ready to welcome him or her, it creates a bad impression that’s hard to beat. Their new area should be organised, clean and equipped with everything they’ll need to do their job. Make sure everything works! And, a welcome card from their new team or a gift goes the extra mile and creates a lasting memory.
Develop a strategy
Involve everyone working at the company in developing your special welcoming strategy. Ask around to see what their first impressions were, what was missing, when they felt lost. Brainstorm together and come up with solutions. It’s worth working with your team on a collaborative on-boarding strategy.
Prepare a welcome pack
Prepare a welcome pack for any new employees. Include information about the company, an employee handbook, a welcome letter, on-boarding schedule and training materials. A clearly defined induction means you’re all working towards the same goal.
Make key introductions
First of all, you should introduce the new employee to their immediate co-workers, as well as their Manager. It’s a good idea to introduce new hires to the company’s MD and help them understand company structure and progression opportunities.
Have the Manager there
Managers are often busy doing their tasks and attending meetings that they miss out on getting acquainted with the new member of their team. This can make new hires feel insignificant and confused as to who they should report to. The manager should be present and spend quality time with them in their first day/week to ensure they are settling in well and to handle any questions/concerns.
Immerse them in company culture
Your objective should be immersing your new recruit as quickly as possible into the organisational structure of the company – that’s what will ultimately make them feel like a valuable part of the team. Involve new employees in social activities, encourage them to speak out and express their opinion.
Set up a ‘buddy’ system
Whenever you’ve got a new person coming on board, assign one employee to take care of the new hire and act as their mentor. They will show them around, take them to lunch, make introductions and offer support.
Make sure they’re not alone at lunch
Inviting your new starter to lunch with the manager or the team will make them feel immediately included and help in the first steps toward building new relationships. This could be a great time to have a team lunch, allowing your employees time to get to know one another.
Provide training
Training and induction are a must, but it might be a bit too much to place it all in one day. Try to spread training sessions across the first week or two to allow some time for the knowledge to sink in.
Set key milestones
Make it clear what is expected and by when. Help them understand their role and how it fits into the company and when they will be reviewed against any set objectives.
For advice and support on finding your next recruit, and welcoming them into the business give Glu Recruit a call on 01143211873. You’ll find more information at www.glurecruit.co.uk