5 Ways to Support New Hires During Their First Week 

The first week an employee starts with an organization is the most critical first impression. How you onboard new hires and set them up for success plays a huge role in how long they stay with the company. So, why not set employees up to reach their full potential starting on Day 1?  

What is Onboarding?  

Onboarding is the essential process for new hires to acquire the skills, knowledge, and behaviors necessary for integrating into a company. Between administrative tasks, role-specific training, and team integration, show employees what it’s like to be a part of your company culture. Work with HR to develop an onboarding plan that gets the trainee up to speed.  

5 Ways to Support New Hires During Their First Week  

#1: Start Onboarding Early 

While many employees are ambitious, it’s impossible to learn a new job overnight. Send new hires onboarding materials and training documents before they start to help them prepare in advance. Kick off the onboarding process even sooner, thanks to the remote world of virtual tours, meet-and-greets, and software tutorials. 

#2: Introduce Them to the Team 

Creating a sense of belonging from Day 1 not only helps employees feel valued, but also inspires them to do their best work. Notify your team when a new hire is starting so they can say hello! While an introductory email is a warm welcome, planning a social activity so new or adjacent teams can meet new teammates is also a great way to break the ice. 

#3: Create a Detailed Onboarding Schedule  

To quickly integrate the new hire, provide a detailed schedule for the first week. Outline key activities, meetings, and training sessions to help them feel empowered, not overwhelmed. Remember to give trainees the time they need to absorb new knowledge. Once they feel confident, let the transition to officially working begin! 

#4: Schedule Regular Check-Ins 

New hires want feedback on their progress: schedule daily check-in points during the first week. This ensures they feel supported and addresses any questions or concerns. Check-ins are key to employee retention, so don’t refrain from mentoring employees or showing them you care! 

#5: Have a Point Person to Guide New Hires 

Partner each new hire with a company mentor so they have a resource to direct their questions. This employee can serve as a sounding board and someone they can also meet for routine check-ins. As a new hire, acquiring this knowledge through casual conversations can help provide reassurance when acclimating to a new role. 

Explore a new role where you can be celebrated in an onboarding process as the new hire! 

For more ways to support your team beyond onboarding, keep reading: How to Turn Training into Results, How to Give High Performers Constructive Feedback, and 7 Ways to Empower Employees to Make Decisions.