Gone are the days of waiting until someone turns up on their first day to begin the onboarding and induction process. These days, employee onboarding begins as soon as someone accepts a job offer, so it’s vital to keep them engaged and excited about their new role during their notice period, however long that may be.
This infographic provides some suggestions on maintaining effective communication with new starters while they complete their notice period, ensuring they feel valued and super motivated to make a fresh start in your business.
Implementing all of these suggestions might be a little intense, and they may not be suitable for all roles. However, for highly competitive positions in senior management and leadership, it’s essential to keep in touch with them to develop an effective working relationship and ensure they turn up on their first day!
Week One:
- Offer Accepted - Job offer verbally accepted. Contract of employment signed and returned by the candidate.
- Welcome Card - Sent to their home address and signed by their joining team, peers, managers and the MD/CEO.
Week Two:
- First-Day Plans - Send them an email confirming their first-day location, start time, lunch plans etc and ask if they need any specific equipment, such as a laptop or standing desk.
- Team Social Invitation - Invite them to a team social or ask them to call in one day for an informal meetup. Make this casual, relaxed and fun!
Week Three:
- Team Social Event - Include peers, managers and any direct reports the new starter will have in this informal social meeting so they can get to know each other.
- Welcome Gift - Send them a welcome gift to their home address containing relevant items such as an inspirational book, mug, desk accessory, sweet treat etc.
Week Four:
- Assign a Mentor/Buddy - Choose someone already established in the team to guide them in culture/norms etc. Introduce them via email to build rapport.
First Day:
- Warm Welcome - Ensure their desk and equipment are prepared and their induction plan ready.
