Be-friend your new employees

What does an employee look for at a new job?

Those who have been in the situation already know the answer and for the HR pros out there, observe …. “A buddy” is what an employee looks for at a new workplace. And who can be a better buddy than the HR itself? After all, employees are our primary responsibility.

While most of us, the HR pros, limit ourselves to completing our job responsibility of Induction & Orientation with a new employee, we often ignore what a new employee really expects. He expects a companion who can make his initial days at a new workplace comfortable.

So if you are greeting your new employees with loads of paperwork and overloading them with presentations and slide shows,  it’s time to change your approach. The quality of your Induction & Onbording program plays a crucial role in retaining a new employee.

Few things employees expect on the first day of their new job:

• Less Paper work – Reduce the excess paper work by making your new hires fill the key documents before the start day.
• No chasing IT dept to get system and access card fixed – With all key information available beforehand, get their system, work station, access cards and passwords ready on the day of joining. That’s make the best of impression on new hires.
• Presentation and handbook is no fun – Make your introduction session lively and enjoyable. Adding a few games and interactive sessions to your Induction program can make it pleasant for new employees.
• They wants to know people not departments – Don’t just introduce them to the departments and process of the organization, introduce them to the people they will be working with.
• Feeling of “odd one out” is uncomfortable – While it’s good to treat your new hires with free lunch coupons, don’t leave them alone to manage on their own. Accompany your new employees for lunch and coffee breaks.
• How about a welcome kit?  – Personalized gift items like coffee mug, T-shirts, bags and stationary items are good way to welcome your new employee and it gives them a sense of belongingness….What you include in your Welcome kit is your choice.

Today, organizations are particularly mindful of new employees and are making efforts towards making their first day at job memorable. The first impression at a new job really counts. So, what are your ideas of making this first positive impression?