Why Your Onboarding Process Matters (More Than You Think)

A Good Onboarding Process Starts Before Day One

Onboarding isn’t just about what happens on their first day. It starts the moment they sign their contract. If there’s radio silence between offer acceptance and their start date, they’re already feeling disconnected.

What to do:

• Send them a welcome email or video from the team before they start.
• Share a simple onboarding plan so they know what to expect in their first few weeks.
• Get their equipment sorted early.  There’s nothing worse than spending your first week waiting for IT.

Make the First Day Feel Like a Big Deal

Imagine walking into a new job where no one knows you’re coming. No warm welcome, no introductions just a spare desk and a “we’ll get you set up soon.”  It’s not exactly the best first impression.

What to do:

• Make sure everyone on the team knows they’re starting. A quick internal message or team huddle does the trick.
• Have a structured first-day plan.
• Assign a buddy or go-to person for any “new job” questions (because let’s be real, no one wants to ask their boss where the toilets are).

Set Clear Expectations (And Check In Regularly)

New hires want to know what success looks like.  If they’re left to figure things out on their own, they’ll either feel lost or assume they’re failing. Neither ends well.

What to do:

• Outline key goals for their first 3, 6, and 12 months so they know what to aim for.
• Have regular check-ins, not just “How’s it going?” but real conversations about progress, challenges, and support.
• Give feedback early and often. If they’re doing well, tell them! If they need to tweak something, help them course-correct before it becomes a bigger issue.

Help Them Feel Like Part of the Team

People don’t just stay in jobs because of the work, they stay because of the people. Feeling part of something bigger makes all the difference.

What to do:

• Introduce them properly to everyone they need to meet, don’t just assume they’ll naturally integrate.
• Get them involved in team chats, meetings, and even casual social stuff early on.
• Encourage existing employees to reach out, check in, and make them feel included.

Onboarding Matter So Don’t Wing It

A great onboarding experience makes new hires feel confident in the new role.  A bad one? It makes them question their decision to join.

It’s not about overcomplicating things. It’s about being prepared and intentional with how you bring new people into your business. Because if you don’t invest in them from day one, don’t be surprised when they don’t stick around.