SHERI WEAVER, HNI Training & Quality Assurance Manager
& THERESA DEW, HNI HR Manager

So you've found the perfect job candidate and they've said "YES!" Way to go! But your work is far from over. We've covered why strong onboarding matters and how to blow it with a new hire. The final piece of the onboarding puzzle is, of course, tips for success.

Theresa Dew, HNI's HR manager, and Sheri Weaver, HNI's training and quality assurance manager, offer the following five best practices for onboarding — plus a sixth bonus best practice you'll have to watch the video to learn!

1.) Do not dump and run!

In other words, don't show your new hire to her desk, dump a pile of work in her lap, and say, "See ya!" Strong onboarding includes developing a training plan for the new hire and sharing the training plan with your new teammate before start date.

2.) Make sure the toolbox is well stocked.

Your new hire may need a computer and software, a uniform, a tidy workstation, and office supplies, among many other things. Collecting all this gear before your new employee's arrival gives you a chance to order any additional equipment, and it shows the new guy that his or her new employer is ready to get down to business.

3.) Acclimating a new hire is not one person's job. It's everyone's responsibility.

Co-workers — whether they are direct teammates or colleagues from a different department — set the tone for a new employee. Encourage all employees to give the new gal a helping hand. Install a mentor who can guide them through your culture. Also be aware of roadblocks within your organization. Maybe the new hire is taking the place of a beloved long-time colleague. Those are big shoes to fill, and interpersonal dynamics could get weird. Identify such potential speed bumps the new employee may face.

4.) Show new hires "the big picture."

Meetings with company leads — vice presidents, directors, etc. — will show a new hire what your firm's mission and values mean to different people. If you can't do one-on-one meetings with leaders, consider holding group meetings with multiple new hires. Share with them the recipe for success at your company. Tell them how you make your money. It's all about giving greater context!

5.) Have patience!

Transitions such as a new job take time. Maybe you've been in your current role for many years and have forgotten how it feels to be the new guy! Everything is new: company, position, co-workers, culture... maybe it's even a new industry for your new employee! The short story is that the learning curve takes time to conquer. It's better to overcommunicate than undercommunicate.

6.) ???...

You'll have to watch the video for the sixth [bonus] best practice! It's seven-and-a-half minutes that could change your onboarding protocol!

What are your secrets for onboarding success? Please share below in comments!

Related Posts:

How to Lose a New Employee in 5 Days [Onboarding 101: The Series]

Why Strong Employee Onboarding Matters [Onboarding 101: The Series]

5 Steps to Better Employee Engagement

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