The onboarding process varies from industry to industry but have similar goals. Here are 5 tips to make your process more successful and boost retention.

Did you know that 86% of senior level employees believe that a new employee makes their decision to stay at a business for the long haul in the first six months of their employment?

If you’re looking for ways to smooth out your onboarding process for new employees and boost the retention rate for your company, we’ve got you covered.

Here are five tips for successfully onboarding a new employee.

1. Take the Time to Welcome Them to Your Business

When onboarding a new employee, it’s important to make them feel welcome and let them know they’re a valuable team member of your business.

Welcoming them means more than just announcing them on them on their first day.

It also means showing them around the office, pointing out where they can find supplies, and providing digital training regarding technology they’ll be using.

Welcoming a new employee also includes introducing them to other team members, and organizing a friendly lunch or other event where your employees can socialize and get to know each other.

The more comfortable people are working together, the better their work will be which will reflect positively on your business.

2. Maintain Open Communication

In addition to making a new employee feel welcome, it’s also important that you regularly communicate with them.

To help make their first few days and weeks go smoothly, be sure to wrap up any technical loose ends with them beforehand such as HR paperwork. Make yourself available by consistently checking and responding to their emails or calls in a timely manner.

This will show them you care about cultivating positive working relationships, and give a great impression of how your business operates.

3. Make Sure They Fully Understand Their Role

Providing a new employee with a clear sense of their responsibilities and what’s expected of their role will go a long way in terms of job satisfaction and retention.

To successfully help a new employee transition into your business, they must understand the goals and objectives of their position.

While you likely provided most of this information during the job interview, it’s worth repeating in more detail after they’ve been hired.

If they can answer how their job contributes to your business as a whole, and why it matters, you’re on the right track!

4. Have Regular Check-Ins During the First Few Months

Make sure you continue to have regular check-ins with your new employee during their first few months to hear about their experience so far, and if there are any ways it could be improved.

It’s also important to acknowledge their hard work, and the professionalism they bring to their position and your business.

Check-ins like these show your continued investment in your new employee, and that you care about their job satisfaction.

5. Understand That Onboarding Is a Process

Helping a new employee assimilate and transition into their role and your business on their first day, and their first few weeks and months is critical, but it’s an ongoing process.

Making them feel welcome, showing them the ins and outs, and maintaining an open dialogue will go a long way.

It will help boost retention, increase employee satisfaction and productivity, and create a positive environment that will benefit your business in the long term.

Conclusion

Onboarding takes time, but if it’s done properly the results are worth it.

Your business will thrive with the right employees who excel in their roles and want to see the business do well.

Are you in need of a consultant for your company’s onboarding process? Let us know how we can help you today.