5 Tips for an Awesome New Employee Orientation
New employee orientation can set the tone for new team members, so it’s important to get it right. Check out these tips to plan a successful orientation.
The first day at a new job can be one of the most harrowing experiences people experience.
New employees don’t know anybody, can be unfamiliar with company policies, and feel lost at work.
A successful new employee orientation will avoid all of that. Having a new employee orientation will let new employees know that they are welcome, and will clearly communicate the company’s expectations.
Most of all, it will minimize their stress. After a successful orientation, new employees will feel empowered to start being productive immediately and feel confident in their work.
Employees want to work, keep reading to learn how to make sure new hires work confidently!
1. First Impressions are Important – Make the Company Stand Out
Nothing is worse for new employees than sitting through a dull HR meeting with mountains of paperwork to fill out. Not only does it make the company seem like a soulless place to work, it also makes new employees doubt their choice to move companies.
A bold and unique style can avoid all that. The company logo should not only be on all equipment and materials handed to new employees, but it should be stylish.
Most of all, the employee should see their name associated with all materials. It helps cement the idea that the new hire is a part of the company.
The most important part of any materials is the name tag. It should stand out and show the new employee’s name and position, all in a stylish and welcoming format. Organizations like this company can help with that.
2. A Good New Employee Orientation Works Both Ways
While employers should always get to know new hires, new employee orientations should encourage employees to ask questions and to get to know their employers.
By encouraging new employees to get to know their supervisors and coworkers as people, rather than just who they are at their jobs, the new employee will feel like a part of the company family.
Questions could include:
- What do you at home?
- What’s your family like?
- What do you think you’ll be doing 5 years from now?
3. Acquaint Them With Their Equipment
Orientations are the time when employees are expected to not be absolutely comfortable with their new position. It’s to be expected.
What would help employees get comfortable at work would walking them through their equipment. By spending an hour with an employee showing them how different software or equipment works, the employee will be more comfortable using it.
They’ll be able to start being productive sooner as a result.
4. Let Them Start Working
New employees want to work. They want to meaningfully contribute to the company and make an impact. A good new employee orientation will give them the opportunity to do that.
At the end of the basics of new employee orientation, they should be acquainted enough with the company systems and technology to produce real work. That doesn’t mean you should expect them to change the world just yet, though.
5. Understand Mistakes Will be Made
Most of all, new employees should be allowed room to make mistakes. Unlike older hires, new employees are unfamiliar with company policies and can be more nervous about their work as a result.
This can mean they will be discouraged to produce to the full extent of their ability. But by letting them know that you expect them to make mistakes, new employees will be more comfortable experimenting with their work.
Make New Employees Feel Welcome
All new employee orientations should strive to make new employees feel good about their choice to work at their new company. More than making sure they are aware of what supervisors expect of them, orientations should make employees feel like a part of a family.
This can be hard to accomplish, but there is ample reading available on how to help you research how to make your new employee orientation a success!
