Top 5 Tips to Remote On-boarding!

Hello Remote on-boarding.  We have all had to pivot and change up our processes and fast. Congrats your company is navigating this storm and hiring! Now what is your game plan for remote on-boarding? It can be intimidating for someone to start without meeting more people, or getting a feel for the office and work culture. In addition, on-boarding can be key for employee retention and happiness.  Just like all the other adaptations going on with work from home, this crucial step needs a smart process.

Here are five tips to set this new hire up for success. 

Welcome Aboard. You want this new hire to feel supported, valued, and part of the team from day one. Make sure to send the entire staff a welcome email highlighting a bit about the new hire! (Getting a bio from them ahead of time and some pictures helps makes it more personal)

Swag it Up. Send a care package with some branded swag and goodies. In addition make sure to send all paperwork, and computer hardware and supplies this person will need to be set up properly in advance of day one. Create a remote on-boarding checklist to make sure no details fall through the cracks.

Buddy System. Assign the new hire a friend that can help them navigate and who will check in on them at set times daly. This will help your new hire catch on quicker and feel supported. Have different team members and staff introduce themselves and reach out continue to build rapport. Working remotely can feel isolating to anyone, so make sure the new hire feels engaged, supported and part of the community.

Road Map. Set up a troubleshooting resource guide online to help new hires help themselves. (Equipped with logins, org chart, resources and contact info of who to reach out to for any issues).  Walk them through what their on-boarding process and timeline will look like so they know what they can expect over the next few days and weeks. Send them calendar invites with logins until they get the hang of things.

Virtual fun. Make sure to have different members of the team book virtual coffee, lunch dates and meet and greets for more social related visits. Have someone new reach out each day. It will make them feel welcomed and reiterate how excited you are to have them there. Plan a zoom happy hour, team yoga class, or trivia game. Any icebreakers to help this person assimilate will go a long way. Everybody wants to have a few friends at work and feel they belong.

Ask current employees what was most helpful or could have been improved with their own on-boarding experiences. It is a different world now that you can’t swing by their desk, invite a new hire to grab coffee or see them in the kitchen to have impromptu check-ins on the fly. You want this new hire to see how organized, friendly, supportive and welcoming your team is.

Feeling the love already? We are. Cheers to a successful on-boarding and future! BURKE UP. We got you.