Studies show that  93% of employers find that a good onboarding experience is critical to positively influencing a new hire’s retention.

During hiring, many different resources are used in the recruitment and selection process. This is why it’s incredibly important that you make the onboarding process the best it can be, and make all that hard work worth it.

According to Forbes:

“Hiring is only 50% of the job, the other 50% comes within the first 30 days and if you fail to embed them into the team, you’ve lost them.”

To ensure that the onboarding process is effective and retentive, strategy is key – people professionals should inform the new recruits that welcoming them will be an activity filled with learning and achievements. Having a consistent, customised and training-filled onboarding process will keep the employees excited and prepared for new challenges. This results in greater employee engagement and productivity. And this has benefits over the long term.

Higher productivity = efficient goals achievement = happier employees. 

Netflix’s “A culture and leadership-driven onboarding program’’, Twitter’s  ‘’From ‘Yes to Desk’’’ and Linkedin’s: ‘’the New Hire Roadmap’’ are a few examples of strong onboarding programs whose sole focus is to blow away the new joiners.

Here are a few simple yet effective tips which you can use to create a lasting impression with each new hire.

1. Wow a new hire with a Welcome Kit

Fresh graduates or experienced hires, everyone likes to feel special on day one of their new job. Make them feel special by providing a welcome package that makes the new hires feel a sense of appreciation and organisation. This kind of gesture from the start sets the tone for a friendly and positive workplace. It will also help the new recruit to easily integrate into the company culture. A fantastic welcome kit should reassure new people that they will be looked after and taken care of. This creates a lasting impression on the new joiners and will consequently strengthen their positive perception of the organisation. 

2. Send a personalised introductory email

As part of their welcome, it’s essential that you introduce the new employee to their new team with a personal introductory or welcome email. In the email, you can introduce the new staff member to the team members and the department head. You can explain everyone’s roles and the department in which they will be working in. This brings everybody up to speed on an equal level and doesn’t leave anyone out of the loop.

To create a strong lasting impression on the new hire, they can also be asked to share some interesting facts about themselves and their hobbies or interests. It’s a great ice breaker and team members can find common ground to connect with the new person in their company.

3. Initiate a special welcome event for new recruits

Go the extra mile as an organization with new hires with a special event for new recruits. Instead of a boring team meeting with the manager in the conference room, employees should meet and talk in a casual environment where everyone can get involved. This can also be a relaxed group activity such as weekly lunch, and the new hire can be invited to attend it. Taking this step will make the new employee feel at home, appreciated, and included from the very first day.

4. Assign an onboarding buddy

New hires should definitely be provided additional support in the form of an on boarding buddy. This obviously depends on a case by case basis and on the seniority of the new hire, but it’s a tremendously beneficial initiative. Existing colleagues are already aware of the organisation’s culture and norms and will accurately brief the new recruits to make their adjustments seamless. Onboarding buddies on the same team or same level can make a new hire more comfortable, instead of a superior or manager.

5. Debriefing session with your new hire

You should also make sure that you actively ask for feedback from the new hire after their first day in your organisation. This debriefing session will help them realise that the company cares for them and their opinion. They can also give their feedback with regards to their first day – a great opportunity to know what we’re doing well and what we can improve!

Ongoing, surveys, 1:1’s and focus groups are effective feedback tools which can be used to upgrade and improve the process of creating a positive lasting impression.

In summary, as people professionals, we should strive to develop an effective onboarding program that gives a lasting and positive impression of the organisation for new hires. Make them feel welcome, and they’ll be a loyal and productive member of your team for much longer.

To upskill your employees, talk to Oakwood about our in-house training: www.oakwooddubai.ae/contact/