First impressions are everything. That adage holds especially true for your employee onboarding process. If new hires kick off their first day of employment mired in paperwork and struggling to connect with the right resources, they likely won’t experience a successful transition. The best onboarding process draws on the HR tech tools at your disposal, with a healthy dose of targeted personal interactions, to create a positive experience for employees. Here are seven simple ways to improve the onboarding process.
1. Get in Touch Before the First Day
Your HR software should automatically send out a message welcoming the new hire to the team. If it doesn’t, set a reminder to have the department’s manager reach out with a personal email or phone call. You may even want to give employees early access to a self-service portal, so they can get up to speed on the policies and procedures and complete any needed forms on their own time.
2. Set a Clear, Easy-to-Follow Schedule
At least in the early days, you want the new hires to have a more structured schedule. Upload an easily accessible shared calendar that breaks down how they will spend their day. This gives them more insight and control over the process.
3. Keep Lines of Communication Open
Make sure the new hire has a designated go-to resource for any questions that arise during the onboarding process. Companies with HR service management solutions typically have an easier time keeping the lines of communication open, since their software encourages employees to submit questions online for quick handling by HR staff.
4. Matchup Employees With Similar Interests
An easy way to get new hires to feel comfortable is to match them up with veteran employees for a “mentoring” program. They won’t necessarily have to work in the same department, but having a similar interest or hobby should spark the conversation. Then the new employee will already have one person to foster a sense of community with.
5. Get Them up to Speed Fast
You should be able to direct new hires to training modules and PowerPoint presentations, all through the knowledge base within your HR service management solution. The interface should be straightforward enough that new hires won’t need to waste valuable time asking IT for assistance.
6. Provide Mobile Capability
Broadening your HR software capability to mobile devices is another key to improving the onboarding process. Employees will be able to access the training and orientation information they need at any time, whether they’re in line for coffee or passing time during a child’s soccer game. Now more than ever, mobile-friendly solutions are necessary for a more consumer-like employee experience.
7. Automate Routine Tasks
Automated software for HR is becoming more sophisticated all the time. When a new employee is hired, the software will automatically determine what is needed for the first day, connecting with the different departments to request workspace allocation, IT hardware, and new employee account setup. This leaves more time for your people to spend on the more critical, human side of employee onboarding.
When your onboarding process is more efficient, everyone benefits. Happy new hires become happy, loyal employees. Our HR service management solutions can help. Connect with us today for a free consultation and learn more about how we can transform your employee onboarding process from top to bottom.
Interested in how to better HR Service Delivery across your organization?
Check out our article: How HR Technology Can Improve Employee Experience and HR Efficiency →
