First impressions mean a lot. An employee’s first day of work sets the tone for their tenure with the company, so you want it to exceed their expectations. If they end the day feeling unsure accepting the job was the right move, there’s a good chance they’ll be out the door in no time at all, leaving you right back where you started.
As the boss, you need to do everything in your power to make sure your new employee feels welcome and appreciated from the minute they walk through the front door. Accomplishing this requires some effort on your part, but it’s nothing you can’t handle.
Alert the Team in Advance
The people your new employee will be working alongside should be notified of their impending arrival at least one day in advance. Send an introductory email to your staff that provides a little background information on the new hire, clearly states their role at the company and notes their start date. This will ensure everyone is expecting the person, because it doesn’t feel great to walk into a new workplace and have no one know who you are.
Have Their Workstation Ready
Show your new employee how excited you are to have them join the team by setting up everything they need to hit the ground running. This will vary greatly by job and company, but it might mean setting up their desk, making sure their security ID badge is ready or clearing out a locker for them.
Make Introductions
Being the new person on the team can be intimidating, so ease the stress by personally taking the employee around the building and introducing them to people they’ll be working with. This will help them get acclimated and start learning their way around. Let the person know you don’t expect them to remember everyone’s names, and remind the rest of your team to be patient.
Plan a Group Lunch
Nothing offers a warm welcome like gathering your core team together for lunch on your new hire’s first day. Getting out of the office will allow them to get to know people in a more informal setting, which should help them relax. Knowing everyone cleared time in their schedule for a welcome lunch will make the new employee feel valued.
Present Them With a Training Plan
New employees are eager to please, but they’re not mind-readers. Get on the same page from the very beginning by presenting them with a 30-60-90-day training plan. This should state what you expect from them during each of their first three months on the job, so they know exactly what they should be doing and how they’re progressing.
Finding the right light industrial talent for your team can be a challenge, so allow Malone Staffing Solutions to assist. Whether you need to fill distribution jobs in Lexington or automotive positions in Detroit, you can count on us to deliver the best person for the job every time. Get started today!
