Having effective onboarding practices in place can help you retain top talent, regardless of whether the role is onsite or remote. If you have recently switched to a remote work model, it’s crucial to revise your onboarding process to adapt to the virtual onboarding process.
To help you with this, here are ten tips for successfully onboarding a new hire remotely.
1. Create a Welcome Package
Sending a welcome package to a newly hired employee can make them feel appreciated and excited about their new opportunity. To make the package more special, consider personalizing it with company-branded items, as well as some fun extras like snacks, drinks, gift cards, and office supplies. This will help new employees feel more comfortable on their first day and show them that they are valued members of the team.
2. Schedule Virtual Meetings with the Existing Team Members
It’s easier to connect and get to know your colleagues when you’re working at the same physical location. However, when working remotely, it’s crucial to make an extra effort to establish a connection with your coworkers. One way to achieve this is to schedule virtual meetings for the new employee to individually meet with each of their coworkers. This will allow them to create a genuine conversation and rapport with each person, rather than feeling uncomfortable meeting the whole team all at once.
3. Prioritize Expectations
It is important to ensure that new hires have a clear understanding of the company culture and expectations. You can achieve this by following up with them promptly, being readily available to answer any questions they may have, and setting clear expectations for them. This will allow them to gain insight into how the team works and what their day-to-day responsibilities will be.
4. Host Fun Virtual Meetings
New employees need to bond with their team members in settings outside of work-related meetings. You can host virtual lunches or play virtual games like Jeopardy or Bingo. Provide fun prizes to encourage participation. Doing this regularly, not just during onboarding, allows the team to have fun together and breaks up the monotony of the workday. These virtual fun meetings provide time for socializing and learning, which keeps employees happy.
5. Provide a List of Internal Team Members
When new employees join a team, it’s important to provide them with a list of internal employees and their job titles and contact information. This will enable them to know who to approach in case they have any questions or face any challenges. It will also help them build a sense of camaraderie with their team members.