Now that you have attracted the most amazing and engaged new recruit, you need to ensure they stay that way – or you’ll have wasted all that time money and effort on the recruitment.
Before they arrive for their first day, why not send them a little welcome pack? It could include a card or letter from the team. Even better if you can include something with names and pictures of their new team so there are already some familiar faces when they start.
On day 1, ensure that there is some there to meet them, and they aren’t left hanging around in reception. Give them a welcome gift. We aren’t talking about breaking the bank here, but a corporate mug, a welcome card on their desk, maybe a small box of chocolates, or something that is personal to your organisation.
Give them chance to meet their team whilst they aren’t working, maybe a coffee and cake session for half an hour, or the team could take them out to lunch. (If the team is taking them to lunch don’t forget to tell them this before they arrive or they might have to have their curly sandwiches for dinner.)
Break down any induction training into manageable chunks and if needs be spread it out over several days or weeks. Joining any new organisation means there is a lot to learn. Even the basics such as; where everything is, new faces and names, new skills, new culture and accepted practices, where to get coffee and lunch, who is helpful and where to do for help have to be assimilated and learned before the new employee can operate completely smoothly. The list seems endless – and this is before they get to learning how to do the new job. Don’t overload them with other training. Prioritise what they need to know, and structure the package accordingly.
Ensure they have chance to meet members of the management team, and know who they are. Make sure those they meet are not just those in their direct line. How about holding a managers coffee morning once a month to welcome all new starters?
Set up a buddy system. Staff volunteer to be a buddy to new starters which gives them someone to go to lunch with, ask questions of and generally be the friend who shows them the ropes.
[Tip: Most of all, be welcoming and genuine, ensure they know where all the basic things they might need are, or who they can ask if they get stuck. (You'd be surprised how many companies still don't do this).]
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Photo credit: C.S. (Away)
Article by Hayley Oats
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